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10. His continued success as a musician, philanthropist, and queer icon is testament to his perseverance and talent. Frank Ocean
The Grammy-award-winning singer Frank Ocean has also opened up about his homosexuality.
To be more specific, he came out in an open letter in 2012.
Although he went on a 4-year hiatus, Ocean is still occasionally recording, along with his work in the fashion industry.
But he is best known for his music and his hit song “Thinkin’ Bout You.”
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Divine's audacious attire, combined with his unabashed pride in his queer identity, made him a symbol of rebellion in the face of society's rigid gender norms.
BONUS: 12. Mika
Mika rose to fame in 2007, with his debut album Life in Cartoon Motion.
Generally, he is best-known for his catchy hits such as “Grace Kelly”, “Lollipop”, and “Relax (Take It Easy)” – and all of them still sound great.
At first, Mika declined to label himself, and he kept his personal life to himself.
However, in 2012, he described himself as gay, and he has been more open about his private life ever since.
All things considered, Mika’s songs are an integral part of modern pop music, and he remains one of the most influential gay pop stars.
5.
Audre Lorde (1934-1992)
Renowned poet, writer, and activist Audre Lorde used her platform to address issues of race, gender, and sexuality. Their courage, resilience, and unabashed pride have left an indelible mark on queer history. On the one hand, the period witnessed an increased visibility and acceptance of queer individuals in mainstream society.
David Bowie
When thinking about famous music artists who made it clear they could be everything, David Bowie certainly comes to mind.
Bowie’s sexuality was a source of speculation for much of his career.
In a way, he is an iconic gay rock star – not because of his identity, but because he inspired generations of LGBT people.
His performances and style were distinctive and gender-fluid, so although he didn’t like to be labeled and defined by his sexuality, he became an inspiring LGBT figure and icon.
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Check out these deep dives into the vibrant LGBTQ+ history through every decade:
The LGBTQ+ community has long been celebrated within the music industry, as some of the biggest stars of the late 20th century and beyond have identified themselves as such.
8. He started in Atlanta's underground film and music scene, performing at local clubs.
Divine (1945-1988)
Divine, also known as Harris Glenn Milstead, was a trailblazer in the 1980s. So tune in, celebrate the diversity of talent, and let your voice be heard in recognizing the best gay musicians of all time.
Over 4.8K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best LGBTQ+ Musicians
I’ve curated a list celebrating the best gay singers and musicians of all time, artists who have not only made outstanding contributions to music but also championed LGBTQ+ representation.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato got a lot of attention in 2021 when she publicly came out as non-binary.
She describes her sexuality as fluid, generally identifying as pansexual.
Her openness and advocacy are very influential because of her large fan base.
Demi was a Disney star in the TV show Camp Rock.
But she has established herself as a successful singer and songwriter, releasing many successful hits and receiving numerous accolades.
All in all, Demi Lovato is hands down one of the most famous LGBT music artists out there.
Best Gay Singers & Musicians Of All Time – Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt about it – there are more LGBTQ role models in the music scene than ever before.
And all of the LGBTQ musicians we mentioned today helped make that come true.
That being said, they’re being celebrated for their contribution to music as well as LGBTQ visibility and rights.
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Will Fenton
Will, the founder of MIDDER, is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for music and personal finance.
Freddie Mercury
Not long ago, being openly gay often wasn’t well-received by the public and music industry.
And that’s why gay rockstars were so important – and Freddie Mercury was probably the most influential.
After all, Queen is regarded as one of the best rock bands of all time, and their music made a huge impact on the 70s and 80s music scene.
Although Mercury did keep his personal life private, he has been celebrated in gay community for decades.
If you’re interested in the singer’s life behind the scenes, we recommend checking out the movie Bohemian Rhapsody with Rami Malek.
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It was an era when the LGBTQ+ community, amidst the backdrop of the AIDS crisis and homophobia, began to assert their presence and influence in a more public and resounding manner.
It's worth noting that RuPaul's rise to fame was not just about being a drag queen.