Ok, Pride month was in June but let’s keep the conversation going because LGBTQ+ artists deserve to be celebrated year-round.
So without further ado, here are some lgbtq artists that have paved the way and changed the music industry to make it a more inclusive and tolerant space.
1. Sylvester
You may not have heard of Sylvester but you probably heard of disco music! And you probably heard of some of his famous hit songs, including ” You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)”. It was once played in nightclubs everywhere and for good reason, cause it’s groovy and fun!
When his solo career took off, he faced some backlash mainly for the fact that he was openly gay and even sometimes had fun with cross-dressing (which was illegal in California at the time!). But despite the resistance he faced, especially as anti-disco movements appeared all over the United States, Sylvester continued to celebrate the queer community through his music, which made him an icon! Another artist who did the same was Donna Summer who supported lgbtq artists in the disco and music scenes.
2. Freddie Mercury
A fun fact about him is that he adopted his stage name while attending school in India, where he also formed his first band, The Hectics. After a political uprising in Zanzibar prompted his family to return to London, Mercury began his musical career in the UK. His first band in England was called Ibex and was based in Liverpool.
And then came Queen. The band had a bit of a slow start in London but then came bangers such as “Bohemian Rhapsody“, “We Will Rock You“, “Break Free” and “We Are the Champions“, and after that, the members were legends.
Freddie Mercury in particular was seen as years ahead of his time when it came to gender norms and he loved to do things differently, adopting a sometimes androgynous appearance, and by doing so, he advocated for the representation of lgbtq artists in the music industry.
3. David Bowie
What made David Bowie such a remarkable artist was that he was so curious and explored the themes of gender and sexuality through his persona and music. If you have a look at some of his alter egos, such as Ziggy Stardust, he has a very androgynous appearance and in some way, offered representation for lgbtq artists.
His eponymous debut album didn’t achieve mainstream success but what it did do was introduce David Bowie to the pop music industry. And his future solo albums cemented that presence in the music world and pop culture. Harry Styles even cites him as one of his inspirations (as well as Elton John that we’ll see in the next section).
He was openly bisexual, although he later changed that label to one that is more fluid. But whatever the label, the way he remained authentic to himself all the way throughout his career really allowed lgbtq artists to do the same.
4. Elton John
Who can forget a tune such as “Tiny Dancer“. The great mind behind it is no other than Sir. Elton John, and is such an important figure in music history with a music career spanning decades. He’s sort of a father figure in the music industry and regularly releases new music.
Here’s why: starting as a small-town boy, he arrived on the music scene at a time when being openly gay and an artist were not things that went together. Yet he managed to carve a space for himself to become something of a gay icon and by doing so, he created a safe space for future generations of lgbtq artists to join him. I mean, have you ever seen such a flamboyant stage presence?
Thankfully, the nay-sayers weren’t able to stop his growing popularity which helped propel his album « Goodbye Yellow Brick Road »to massive success, selling two million copies in the US within six months of its release and producing the number one hit « Bennie and the Jets ». In 1994, Elton John won the Oscar for Best Original Song for « Can You Feel the Love Tonight ». Imagine winning an Academy Award! And he and Bernie Taupin even wrote “Candle in the Wind” as a tribute to Grace Kelly.
He’s been a vocal supporter and a strong advocate for same-sex marriage and he has set up the Elton John aids foundation and has given his support to many a benefit concert that supports lgbtq artists.
5. Frank Ocean and hip hop
Although he has a more discreet presence, Frank Ocean has been there nonetheless especially when he launched his own solo career and dedicated himself to making music.
His debut album “Channel Orange” was a commercial success and won the Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. His other album “Blonde” received the same praise.
And then, in 2012, he wrote an open letter to the music industry, saying that he had been in love with a man, which highlighted the fact that being a gay man in hip-hop is tough. But through his music, Frank Ocean keeps pushing boundaries and opening people’s minds to the life and rights of lgbtq musicians.
6. Sam Smith
The one song that launched his career can be thought of as “Lay Me Down“, part of his debut album but they are all amazing!
Openly gay himself, he represents and speaks up for many artists and other lgbtq artists, changing music history.
He’s had many Grammy nominations and has won four!
7. Bruce Wayne Campbell
Jobriath, the stage name of Bruce Wayne Campell, was the first openly gay rock musician. As a small-town boy and despite his short career because he died of AIDS before his 37th birthday, he left a legacy that’s worth remembering. After signing a record deal with Elektra Records and getting adverts in Rolling Stone, he tried to launch his solo career.
His music career started with the release of his first album and as he promoted his, his flamboyant persona was put forth by his manager. It didn’t work out at the time and Jobriath didn’t find much success, but he did inspire many artists such as David Bowie, Boy George from Culture Club, Ru Paul, and Marc Almond from Soft Cell.
8. George Michael
You may know George Micheal as a half of the duo Wham! which was huge in pop culture and music. He then launched his solo career and came out as openly gay, challenging societal expectations.
George Michael, as well as many other artists, has been a big advocate for the lgbtq community.
9. Lil Nas x
Lil Naw X has been a trailblazer in the music industry in recent years. But what’s his story?
Well, his big breakthrough came when he released « Old Town Road » in December 2018, which went viral across various social media platforms but especially TikTok thanks to the #Yeehaw challenge. He then released a remix of the song with country legend Billy Ray Cyrus which became the longest-charting No1 song of all time.
Because of his success and his flamboyant style, there was some speculation about his sexual orientation and in June 2019, Lil Nas X came out as openly gay on the last day of Pride month, making him one of the few openly LGBTQ+ artists in hip-hop.
As is always the case when someone who challenges societal norms, he was met with a hell of a lot of backlash, mainly from people who used their religious beliefs to act against the gay community. Lil Nas X also uses his music videos which are often seen as flamboyant, although they have no more sexualization than a normal music video, except that they are with a man.
10. Ricky Martin
Most of us have danced to “Livin la vida loca” at one point or another and the voice behing it is no other than Ricky Martin. He came out as gay later on in his career and since the, has used his platform and the space he holds in the music industry to speak out for other lgbtq musicians.
11. Adam Lambert
We spoke of Freddie Mercury earlier and Queen. Now let’s speak about Adam Lambert. He was discovered on the reality tv program American idol where he was the runner-up. After that, he pursued his career out in the music world and even toured with Queen, stepping into the shoes of legendary singer Freddie Mercury.
He said himself in an interview that the music industry has changed for the better for lgbtq artists and the lgbtq community as a whole so that’s a really positive thing!
12. Ru Paul
With a career in both music and reality tv, Ru Paul can do it all. Have you heard of Rupaul’s drag race? It’s a really cool tv show that basically features drag queens doing various challenges and the show itself has had a huge impact when it comes to the visibility of lgbtq artists.
13. Janelle Monáe
There aren’t that many young women in today’s music industry who dare come out out of fear of the backlash they might face. But Janelle Monáe came out as pansexual and has been a strong advocate for lgbtq artists ever since !
14. Judas priest
A group of artists that had a huge impact on the music industry and the lgbtq community was the heavy metal band Judas Priest. That’s because the lead singer, Rob Halford, came out as gay. But imagine being an openly gay man in heavy metal? It’s pretty much unheard of! So he really did break down stereotypes and therefore, allowed future lgbtq artists to do the same.
15. Barry Manilow
It’s hard to imagine a world where the song “Copacabana” doesn’t exist. I mean, his influence was so big that he even appeared as himself in the cartoon motion “The Simpson“! Talk about making it big time!
So here you have it, a few trailblazers who had and have the courage to remain authentically themselves in a world that asks them to conform and have therefore changed music history. As well as these, many artists now advocate for lgbtq artists and the lgbtq community so we are moving in the right direction.
That being said, a good thing to keep in mind is that that future must not just be tolerant; it must embrace and actively support diversity.
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