Gay pop artists




He was not only one of the first openly gay rock musicians to get signed to a big record label, but tragically, he was also one of the first internationally famous musicians to die of AIDS. In the early s, he began performing in clubs and bars, developing the stage persona Little Richard. Dance pop girly Kim Petras became the first openly trans solo artist to hit the number one spot on the Billboard Hot charts with her single collaboration with Sam Smith “Unholy” in Regardless of when they came out or their role as gay activists, these singers are all artistic geniuses whose music and vocal stylings have graced our ears and pulled at our heartstrings.

Despite tremendous talent, he also came up against severe backlash for his sexuality.

gay pop artists

Benjamin Britten is one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Within hours of returning to power Monday, United States issued a stunningly broad executive order that seeks to dismantle crucial protections for . From transgender punk rockers to queer disco divas, Rolling Stone picks 25 of music's most underrated trailblazers across the LGBTQ spectrum. Sexuality was not only a taboo topic for public discussion but could also result in alienation from fans and even cause damage to one's career.

Coming out as a gay musician in the 20th century was no small feat. Municipal officials in the town of Łańcut, Poland, have abolished the country’s last remaining “LGBT Ideology Free” zone, righting more than five years of political assault on . However, it wasn't always this way, especially for musicians. He later returned to secular music but continued to draw on his religious beliefs in his music.

While many artists are celebrated for their allyship, this list highlights the queer musical talents that are carving out space for themselves and creating art that helps the LGBTQIA+ community. From Freddie Mercury to Sam Smith, discover the stories and songs of these gay pop stars. Indeed, these famous gay musicians faced tremendous backlash and damage to their careers because of their honesty and openness.

Dance pop girly Kim Petras became the first openly trans solo artist to hit the number one spot on the Billboard Hot charts with her single collaboration with Sam Smith “Unholy” in In the interview, Siwa gave shoutouts to her gay pop forefathers Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus, but let's look at some of the other artists and songs who have defined the genre and laid the path.

It required immense courage and determination, especially when the music industry was predominantly hetero-normative. Whether you’re moved by Freddie Mercury’s rock anthems, Lady Gaga’s empowering pop tracks, or Elton John’s soulful ballads, your votes will help determine which artists stand out as the most influential and cherished figures in music history.

Now, let's turn our attention back to musicians like Jobriath, who are or were openly gay in the music industry. Whether standing firm against adversity, fighting for rights and medical research, or providing a platform for those whose voices were hitherto unheard, these pioneering LGBTQ+ musicians have added their own splash of colour to the walls of popular music’s everlasting corridors.

Hungary deepened its repression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people on March 18 as the parliament passed a draconian law that will outlaw Pride . They used their platforms to speak out against discrimination and fight for equal rights for all. On February 15, Muhsin Hendricks, an openly gay imam, Islamic scholar and LGBT rights activist was shot and killed in Gqeberha, South Africa as he was leaving to .

As we explore queer performance art , we pay homage to those who came before us. He was also open about his homosexuality in a time and place where being gay was heavily stigmatized and illegal. They serve as a reminder that it is possible to thrive as a musician while being true to oneself. This report documents the range of abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in secondary school.

It details widespread bullying and . Scroll through our list and vote for your favorite LGBTQ+ musicians.

young gay male singers today

As such, many gay musicians chose to keep their sexual orientation hidden for fear of retribution. Richard Wayne Penniman was born in and began singing in church at an early age. A list of influential and iconic LGBTQ+ artists who have made outstanding contributions to music and championed LGBTQ+ representation. Today, many artists and historians recognize Little Richard as a very influential figure in the rock and roll space.

Through their songs and performances, these courageous individuals were able to shed light on important issues and promote love, tolerance, and acceptance. Take Bruce Wayne Campbell known by his stage name Jobriath , for example. He has been a vocal proponent of same-sex marriage and has spoken out against discrimination and harassment. Miwa's performances often included a mix of Japanese and English, along with extravagant costumes and makeup.

In the face of such challenges, many gay musicians turned to music activism to advocate for their rights and create change. In , Britten was among the signers of a letter to a newspaper called The Observer , which demanded decriminalizing homosexuality, which was then punishable by imprisonment in the UK. Japanese cabaret performer, singer, actor, drag queen, and social activist Akihiro Miwa began his career as a cabaret performer in the s, quickly gaining notice for his androgynous appearance.