Gay pop artist
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While he was private about his bisexuality, his influence as a queer icon is unmatched.
George Michael
After coming out in the late ’90s, George Michael became a proud and outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and HIV awareness. As publicist Sharon Davis told Billboard in 2023, "The U.K.
just was not ready for this type of open-minded artist. His scholarship and artistry are reclaiming space for marginalized voices in traditional roots music.
Janis Joplin
Joplin’s sexuality was fluid, and her love affairs with both men and women were part of her rebel spirit. Even as she’s matured — and dropped the $ from her name — she’s never stopped having fun with her music getting more explicitly queer in songs like “Kinky.” (-DBG)
The frontman of Queen is considered one of the greatest singers of all time, and his death from AIDS shook the gay community to its core.
She has openly supported the LGBTQIA+ community throughout her career.
Marlene Dietrich
A legendary actress and singer, Dietrich embraced androgyny and same-sex relationships at a time of global conservatism. “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.
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 passionate, starving queer fan base who crowned her Lesbian Jesus.
His debut EP, COLORWAY, invites you into his world of sultry R&B, synthscapes, and tight harmonies. It tells the story of someone who has come into himself and is ready to level up in life (and in love). Every Gaga performance and high-camp costume was iconic.
Her work redefines pop stardom on her own terms.
Kylie Minogue
Kylie’s music has been beloved by queer fans since the ’80s. But still, even by those standards, there was no preparing for the way that Dove Cameron took every ounce of the venom that once upon a time made her kid’s icon in Disney’s Descendents series (where she played the daughter of Maleficent) and flip it into such piercing queer seduction in 2022’s “Boyfriend.”
“I can be a better boyfriend than him,” Dove croons, her voice graveling.
Her work blends gospel, soul, and activism with powerful intention.
Sinead O’Connor
Known for her boldness and honesty, Sinead O’Connor openly supported LGBTQIA+ causes throughout her life. Her song “Fem Queen” featuring Trannilish was a mega-hit – demanding respect through the lyrics, calling those out who needed to be, and advocating for trans folks all at the same time.
Check out: ‘Dickscipline’
Ms.
That generation lives on—but no longer in the shadows of silence and secrecy that once confined them; queer musicians are louder than ever.
Despite the strides of music's greatest forebears, it's vital to continue encouraging LGBTQ+ visibility in the music industry. She was the first lesbian pop star signed to a major label to make multiple music videos in which she kisses girls.
Porter's song "I've Got You Under My Skin''—made famous by Frank Sinatra—hints at his sexuality with lyrics like, "I'd sacrifice anything come what might/ For the sake of having you near/ In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night."
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Michael Stipe
Michael Stipe, frontman of the indie-rock band R.E.M., has been open about his sexuality for decades, having appeared on the cover of Out magazine back in 1995. In a 2004 interview, Stipe said, "I think there's a line drawn between gay and queer, and for me, queer describes something that's more inclusive of the gray areas."
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Laura Jane Grace
Laura Jane Grace is recognized as the founder, lead singer, and guitarist of the punk rock band Against Me!
In a 2012 interview with Rolling Stone, the singer came out to the world as transgender. Boogie makes music for the person that knows who they are, what they want, and could care less what others think. Soulful, honest, and vulnerable in her own music – Ambré has also collaborated with some of the biggest R&B artists of today, such as H.E.R and Kehlani.
Mcintosh embodies the kind of head-in-the-clouds optimism that can only come from youthful abandon. In addition to his solo work, he’s been performing as the lead singer of Queen since 2011.
Since breaking onto the pop scene with her bisexual party girl persona, Kesha has evolved into a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter as likely to deliver an anthemic ballad about surviving abuse as she is a killer dance song.
"I like 'queer,'" DiFranco said. Her music and presence have made queer Black southern culture unmissable in mainstream music.
Bob Mould
As a founding member of Hüsker Dü and Sugar, Bob Mould helped shape punk and alternative rock. Well..mission accomplished. In a genre not always known for taking strong political stands, she really stands out as a pop artist and activist.
From Ziggy Stardust to “Modern Love,” he changed music forever — and inspired generations of queer people to experiment with their sexuality and gender. In 2024, they released the extraordinary documentary Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan & Sara.
Pansexual and genderqueer French singer-songwriter Christine and the Queens, who also goes just by Chris, makes very fun and often experimental art pop.