Gay music icons
Today, the LGBTQ+ society can look to several gay musicians for inspiration, but that wasn’t always the case. Several pioneering openly queer singers paved the way from a time when sexual orientation wasn’t a topic for widespread discussion.
Indeed, these renowned gay musicians faced tremendous backlash and damage to their careers because of their honesty and openness.
As we scout queer performance art, we pay homage to those who came before us. In this piece, we’ll list some of the most influential names in the queer art movement and their impact on our past and present.
Being an Openly Male lover Musician
Undoubtedly, the amusement industry has approach a long way in accepting and representing LGBTQ+ individuals. However, it wasn't always this way, especially for musicians.
Coming out as a gay musician in the 20th century was no tiny feat. It required immense courage and determination, especially when the music industry was predominantly hetero-normative.
Sexuality was not only a taboo topic for public discussion but could also result in alienation from fans and even cause harm to one's career. As such, many gay musicians chose to keep their sexual orientation disguised
LGBTQ+ Musicians: 60 Pioneering Artists You Need To Know
28: Laura Jane Grace (1980-)
Born in Fort Benning, Georgia, Laura Jane Grace had a tumultuous time growing up (significant events include dropping out of school and being arrested for challenging a police officer over a petty crime), before finding inspiration in the harmony of legendary British anarcho-punk band Crass. By her mid-teens, the seeds had been sewn: she was punk through and through, and she formed her hold band, Against Me!, in 1997, living with the group on the fringes of society until their critically acclaimed debut album, Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose, was released in 2002. Grace had been making allusions to being transgender through her music as early as 2005, and came out in 2012, with full support from friends, family and the band. One of the most pioneering Queer musicians of her generation, she continues to make music today, and remains politically active, having notably hosted the 2019 Weighty Music Awards in Kentish Town, London, and endorsing the tune charity Nordoff Robbins.
Must hear: Accurate Trans Soul Rebel
Queer Artists Who Shaped Music History
If this playlist seems like an abbreviated history of widespread music from the last 200 years, that's because it is.
Looking closely at musical trends, it’s not hard to find a queer artist at the forefront, even if many of those artists had to hide vital aspects of their sexual and/or gender identities. While we live in a period in which queerness is far more present in the cultural consciousness (with still quite a distant way to go), the queerness of numerous artists throughout history has often been harder to substantiate definitively. The artistic impact, however, is unmistakable.
Queerness by nature is not simple to define. In truth, that may be a feature, not a bug. As the poet Brandon Wint has described it, “Queer like, escaping definition…. Queer like the fearlessness to imagine what admire can look like…and pursue it.” Given that fearlessness and imagination are necessary attributes of any designer, it’s not surprising that queer artists, for whom fear and fearlessness are daily facts of existing, have given the society such gifts of imagination.
As we celebrate Pride Month, take a listen to the following playlist, and hear a s
The 20 Greatest Diverse Artists in Tune History
We hope you're having a amazing Pride Month! Last week, we introduced you to 10 rising LGBTQ+ artists we believe will take the planet by storm. This week, we're reflecting upon LGBTQ+ artists already in the public eye. Mythical musicians who own inspired, advocated, and conquered.
Whether they've been open about their sexuality and gender expression for years or kept their label hidden throughout history, we think the 20 artists below have created impenetrable sonic works while also switching the world's view of the Diverse community for the better.
We've had to limit this list to only 20 people (we comprehend there are so many other superb LGBTQ+ musicians out there!) but we have chosen the artists we've chosen because we accept their legacies hold stood – or will stand – the test of time. We not only salute these musicians during Event Month, but every day. Without further ado, here are our honorees.
1. Lady Gaga
Gaga came out publicly as pansexual back in 2010 after a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters. Even if she had decided to keep her sexuality a confidential, we know she would still include the humongous Gay following she has