A Chicago musician released a song called "Love Always Wins" to show support for the LGBTQ+ community's experiences and raise money for The Trevor Project, an organization that provides support and resources to young queer people.
Though Sarantos isn't a part of the LGBTQ+ community, he said he felt inspired to write a song from the perspective of a queer person because he has a lot of LGBTQ+ friends and respects the strength it takes to face discrimination for who you love.
"One day I wondered do I really understand what they're going through, what resonated with me and what birthed the song, is that I thought about how I'd react if my kid told me that he was gay," Sarantos said. "I thought to myself, love always wins."
Sarantoswhose stage name is the Greek translation of his first name, Samsaid he's inspired by the way the LGBTQ+ community remains positive and loving even while facing hatred. He said he admires how the community continues to strive to make the world more accepting.
He reflected these sentiments in his song with lyrics, "We forgive cuz we've swallowed so much hate, Life's harder for us cuz we're different, We hold on together never let go, We beg the world to love us but we know, There's no love without pain no love without rain, No one's ever a saint and love, love, love is never the same."
When asked if he was hesitant to speak on behalf of a community he's not a part of, Sarantos said he tries not to think too much about how his audience might respond to a song but rather hopes his music reflects positivity and reaches the "right ears."
Sarantos has been writing music since he was a kid but started focusing more on his craft when his father passed away in 2010 after battling lung cancer.
"I didn't want to be on my deathbed and feel like I never gave it a shot," Sarantos explained.
He said his dad who moved from Greece to the U.S. as a young adult is his "biggest role model and inspiration in life" and he thinks about him everyday.
"[My dad] worked like a dog but whenever he was home we would listen to music and dance, mostly greek music," Sarantos said. "He loved what music represented even though he wasn't a musician and I feel like he's looking down at me, proud of what I've done."
Sarantos said he doesn't make a profit from his music and instead donates a portion of the money from downloads to various charities, including St. Jude's, American Cancer Society and Misericordia.
To listen to Sarantos' songs, visit www.melogia.com .
For more information about The Trevor Project, visit www.thetrevorproject.org/ .