Gay pop artists
Lady Gaga
It’d be unachievable to understate out bisexual musician and actor Lady Gaga‘s impact on identity and pop harmony, or the impact she’s made as an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Every Gaga act and high-camp costume was iconic. Her male alter-ego Jo Calederone was absurdly hot. Her melody video for “Telephone” opened with Gaga making out with butch Canadian production 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 warm, 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 bold 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 punch “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 Lane 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 fresh wave of juvenile gay male pop stars are more visible and idealistic 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
Today, the LGBTQ+ community can view to several gay musicians for inspiration, but that wasn’t always the case. Several pioneering openly gay singers paved the way from a time when sexual orientation wasn’t a topic for public discussion.
Indeed, these famous queer 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 Gay Musician
Undoubtedly, the entertainment industry has come a long way in accepting and representing Queer individuals. However, it wasn't always this way, especially for musicians.
Coming out as a gay player in the 20th century was no small feat. It required immense courage and determination, especially when the music industry was predominantly hetero-normative.
Sexuality was not only a taboo topic for general discussion but could also consequence in alienation from fans and even cause damage to one's career. As such, many same-sex attracted musicians chose to keep their sexual orientation hidden
The 20 Greatest LGBTQ+ Artists in Music History
We desire you're having a excellent Pride Month! Last week, we introduced you to 10 rising LGBTQ+ artists we believe will grab the world by storm. This week, we're reflecting upon LGBTQ+ artists already in the public eye. Legendary musicians who acquire inspired, advocated, and conquered.
Whether they've been open about their sexuality and gender expression for years or kept their label secret throughout history, we consider the 20 artists below have created impenetrable sonic works while also transforming the world's view of the LGBTQ+ community for the better.
We've had to limit this list to only 20 people (we know there are so many other great Queer 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 bisexual back in 2010 after a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters. Even if she had decided to keep her sexuality a secret, we understand she would still contain the humongous LGBTQ+ accompanying she has