Gay pop artists
Today, the LGBTQ+ community can look to several male lover musicians for inspiration, but that wasn’t always the case. Several pioneering openly gay singers paved the way from a second when sexual orientation wasn’t a topic for general discussion.
Indeed, these famous male lover musicians faced tremendous backlash and damage to their careers because of their honesty and openness.
As we explore 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 Homosexual Musician
Undoubtedly, the entertainment industry has come a extended way in accepting and representing LGBTQ+ individuals. However, it wasn't always this way, especially for musicians.
Coming out as a homosexual musician in the 20th century was no compact feat. It required enormous 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 product in alienation from fans and even cause harm to one's career. As such, many gay musicians chose to keep their sexual orientation hidden
Lady Gaga
It’d be unfeasible to understate out bisexual musician and actor Lady Gaga‘s impact on society and pop song, or the impact she’s made as an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Every Gaga recital and high-camp costume was iconic. Her male alter-ego Jo Calederone was absurdly hot. Her tune video for “Telephone” opened with Gaga making out with butch Canadian show artist Heather Cassils and ended with her holding hands with Beyonce and driving into the sunset. “Born This Way” doesn’t even matter —it’s “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face” and “Alejandro” and “Bad Romance” and “You and I” and “Paparazzi.” Lady Gaga is a queen of gay pop.
Hayley Kiyoko
On the cover of Nylon Magazine’s first-ever Pride Issue, Hayley Kiyoko was described as an unprecedented force in the gay pop scene, a lesbian teen heartthrob unafraid to court a enthusiastic, starving queer fan base who crowned her Lesbian Jesus. She was the first lesbian pop star signed to a major label to make multiple music videos in which she kisses girls. It’s incr
What the courageous new wave of gay male pop stars means for music
It was a moment that will go down in gay history.
There was Lil Nas X living his midriff-baring truth during his performance of his No. 1 clap “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” on the season finale of “Saturday Night Live” last month.
Surrounded by six male dancers wearing nothing but do-rags and a beam from the waist up, the Georgia-born rapper slithered around a stripper pole in leather chaps.
It was a keen turn from “Old Town Road” directly onto Christopher Avenue and smack dab in the middle of Go-Go Boysville. Breaking a longstanding if unwritten taboo, it brought same-sex attracted sexuality from the underground to the mainstream right there on broadcast TV.
Now, as we honor Pride Month, Lil Nas X and the brave novel wave of fresh gay male pop stars are more visible and imaginative than ever, making proud and provocative statements about their sexuality. Proving that this is their time to be their authentic selves — uncompromisingly, unapologetically and unambiguously — they are boldly waving the rainbow flag for generations to come in music’s LGBTQ movement.
Lil Nas X had been building to this kind of cultural
The 20 Greatest LGBTQ+ Artists in Music History
We hope you're having a great Pride Month! Last week, we introduced you to 10 rising LGBTQ+ artists we believe will take the society by storm. This week, we're reflecting upon LGBTQ+ artists already in the public eye. Celebrated musicians who have inspired, advocated, and conquered.
Whether they've been unlocked about their sexuality and gender expression for years or kept their label hidden throughout history, we believe the 20 artists below have created impenetrable sonic works while also changing the world's view of the Queer community for the better.
We've had to limit this list to only 20 people (we comprehend there are so many other great LGBTQ+ musicians out there!) but we have chosen the artists we've chosen because we believe their legacies have stood – or will stand – the test of time. We not only salute these musicians during Pride Month, but every day. Without further ado, here are our honorees.
1. Lady Gaga
Gaga came out publicly as double attraction back in 2010 after a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters. Even if she had decided to keep her sexuality a secret, we know she would still have the humongous Diverse following she has