There’s nothing more powerful than a voice raised in song, except maybe one raised in truth. From the frontlines of pop, punk, folk, soul, disco, and country, LGBTQIA+ musicians have always been there—leading the charge, changing the game, and showing generations of fans what it means to live honestly and love loudly. These artists busted down the doors, lit the stage on fire and invited the rest of us to dance in the spotlight with them.
Adam Lambert
From his American Idol breakthrough to touring with Queen, Adam Lambert has become a proud icon in the LGBTQIA+ community. His visibility as an openly gay rock star has helped bring queer identity to arenas around the world.
Andy Bell (of Erasure)
With Erasure, Andy Bell made synth-pop that was danceable, dramatic, and defiantly queer. He’s long championed LGBTQIA+ visibility and HIV awareness, often using his platform to fight stigma.
Ani DiFranco
Bisexual folk-punk powerhouse Ani DiFranco brought radical honesty to the forefront in the ’90s. Her work around reproductive rights, queerness, and identity made her a vital voice in activist music.
Barry Manilow
After coming out publicly later in life, Barry Manilow was met with widespread love and support. His decades-long career and relationship with husband Garry Kief have been celebrated by fans around the world.
Bessie Smith
A pioneering blues singer of the 1920s, Bessie Smith lived openly on her own terms. Her bold songs and rumored relationships with women mark her as a foundational queer voice in American music.
Big Freedia
The Queen Diva of New Orleans bounce, Big Freedia brings gender-fluid joy to every beat. 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. He came out in the ’90s and has since become an advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in rock.
Boy George
As the face of Culture Club, Boy George brought androgyny, flamboyance, and queerness to MTV screens in the 1980s. He’s been a fearless figure in LGBTQIA+ visibility for over four decades.
Bronski Beat
With tracks like “Smalltown Boy,” Bronski Beat gave voice to the alienation and strength of queer youth. The band’s music remains one of the clearest soundtracks of gay liberation in the ’80s.
Brian Molko
As Placebo’s frontman, Brian Molko played with gender norms and sexual identity in a way that inspired countless fans. Openly bisexual, he became a symbol of freedom and fluidity in ’90s alt-rock.
Christine and the Queens
With poetic lyrics and gender-defiant performances, Christine and the Queens (now known as Redcar) has redefined what pop stardom can look like. They bring visibility to pansexual and nonbinary identities on a global scale.
Courtney Barnett
Openly queer and refreshingly raw, Courtney Barnett’s music is beloved for its honesty and deadpan delivery. Her presence helps normalize LGBTQIA+ voices in the indie rock scene.
Cyndi Lauper
A fierce ally and activist, Cyndi Lauper has always stood with the LGBTQIA+ community. Her True Colors Fund supports homeless LGBTQIA+ youth, and her music has long been a soundtrack to Pride.
David Bowie
Bowie’s exploration of gender, sexuality, and persona changed the landscape of pop culture. His legacy lives on as one of music’s greatest champions of individuality and queer expression.
Demi Lovato
After coming out as non-binary and later embracing both she/her and they/them pronouns, Demi Lovato has used her platform to speak on mental health, queerness, and empowerment.
Divine
The outrageous drag icon of John Waters films also had a string of dancefloor hits in the ’80s. Divine broke boundaries for gender expression in pop culture and queer club scenes.
Dusty Springfield
Though she kept her private life mostly private, Dusty Springfield lived as a lesbian and later became a symbol of hidden queer strength in mid-century pop.
Elton John
Sir Elton John has been a proud advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights for decades. Through his music, foundation, and activism, he remains one of the most influential figures in queer history.
Ezra Furman
A gender-nonconforming indie rocker, Ezra Furman brings raw storytelling to her songs. She’s been a powerful voice for queer and trans youth navigating identity and faith.
Frank Ocean
With his poetic, genre-blending albums, Frank Ocean became one of the first major hip-hop-adjacent artists to come out. His 2012 Tumblr letter opened a new chapter in Black queer expression.
Freddie Mercury
The legendary Queen frontman lived boldly in his music and performances. 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. His music and honesty remain powerful touchstones.
Hazell Dean
As the “Queen of Hi-NRG,” Hazell Dean created anthems that lit up gay clubs and Pride parades. She’s long embraced her lesbian identity and dedicated her career to LGBTQIA+ audiences.
Halsey
Openly bisexual and using both she/they pronouns, Halsey brings queerness to mainstream pop with vulnerability and edge. Her activism and candor have made her a role model for younger fans.
Holly Johnson
Frontman of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Holly Johnson made radical, sexually charged pop music in the ’80s. Openly gay and living with HIV, he remains a beacon of resilience and pride.
Honey Dijon
As a trans Black woman dominating international DJ scenes, Honey Dijon champions queer culture on the dancefloor and off. Her sets are sonic love letters to LGBTQIA+ liberation.
Indigo Girls
Amy Ray and Emily Saliers became icons of lesbian and feminist folk-rock in the late ’80s. Their activism and community-building continue to uplift LGBTQIA+ voices.
Jake Blount
Blount brings Black and queer history into the heart of American folk music. 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. She remains a legend for living freely and singing fearlessly.
Janelle Monáe
Openly pansexual and nonbinary, Janelle Monáe creates futuristic anthems of freedom and self-love. Their music and visuals are a celebration of queerness, Blackness, and artistic vision.
Jermaine Stewart
Best remembered for “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off,” Stewart was a proud part of the queer ’80s dance scene. His work remains a light-hearted yet empowering voice in pop.
Jill Sobule
Her 1995 song “I Kissed a Girl” predates the Katy Perry version and came with real emotional resonance. Sobule gave bisexual identity a radio-friendly voice in a time of silence.
Joan Armatrading
A musical force since the ’70s, Armatrading quietly opened doors for Black queer women in folk, pop, and blues. Her artistry speaks volumes even when she doesn’t.
Joan Jett
Though never officially labeling her sexuality, Joan Jett has long been embraced as a queer icon. Her leather-clad defiance and trailblazing presence challenged rock’s boys’ club.
Kate Pierson
As a member of The B-52s, Kate Pierson’s quirky style and bisexual identity helped define the band’s queer-positive image. She’s been open and outspoken about her support for the community.
Kehlani
Openly queer and gender-fluid, Kehlani brings emotional depth and identity exploration to modern R&B. She uses her platform to promote visibility and healing.
Kevin Abstract
As a founding member of BROCKHAMPTON, Kevin Abstract rapped openly about being gay in a genre that long resisted such voices. He’s paved a path for other queer hip-hop artists.
Kim Petras
One of the first openly trans pop stars to top the Billboard Hot 100, Kim Petras is a shining example of trans excellence in music. Her work redefines pop stardom on her own terms.
Kylie Minogue
Kylie’s music has been beloved by queer fans since the ’80s. She’s embraced her status as a gay icon with grace, joy, and nonstop disco anthems.
Labi Siffre
A poet, songwriter, and activist, Siffre’s work has tackled racism and homophobia for decades. His anthem “(Something Inside) So Strong” remains a rallying cry for the oppressed.
Lady Gaga
From “Born This Way” to her Born This Way Foundation, Lady Gaga is one of the most visible LGBTQIA+ allies in pop. Her embrace of queer fans is matched by her dedication to mental health and equality.
Laura Jane Grace
As the lead singer of Against Me!, Laura Jane Grace was one of the first high-profile punk rockers to come out as trans. Her voice brought trans identity into the mosh pit with power and purpose.
Leonard Bernstein
One of the 20th century’s most acclaimed composers, Bernstein lived much of his life in the closet. His relationships and later openness about his queerness helped humanize classical music’s hidden narratives.
Lesley Gore
Known for “It’s My Party,” Lesley Gore came out publicly later in life. She used her platform to advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility, particularly for lesbians in entertainment.
Lil Nas X
A genre-defying superstar, Lil Nas X shattered stereotypes with swagger and soul. His bold queerness in country, pop, and hip-hop is nothing short of revolutionary.
Linda Perry
As the voice behind 4 Non Blondes and a prolific songwriter, Linda Perry has lived openly and loudly. She’s helped shape the careers of LGBTQIA+ artists while being a role model herself.
Long John Baldry
An early blues-rock hero, Baldry was one of the first British musicians to come out publicly. He mentored Elton John and lived his truth during a time when few dared.
Luther Vandross
While he never came out publicly, Vandross’ legacy as a queer soul icon remains significant. His love songs, filled with longing and elegance, have resonated deeply with queer fans.
Ma Rainey
The “Mother of the Blues” sang boldly about her love for women in the 1920s. Her songs and style made her one of the first visible LGBTQIA+ figures in American music.
Madonna
Madonna’s decades-long advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights, her love for queer dancers, and her outspoken fight against AIDS stigma have made her one of the most powerful allies in pop.
Marc Almond
As half of Soft Cell, Marc Almond gave synthpop a seductive and subversive queer edge. He’s proudly lived his truth since the ’80s and supported HIV awareness throughout his career.
Marina Diamandis
Marina’s music often speaks to misfits, including queer fans who connect with her themes of self-discovery and rejection of social norms. 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. She broke boundaries in film and cabaret, becoming a queer cultural icon.
Melissa Etheridge
One of the first major rock stars to come out, Etheridge brought lesbian visibility to MTV and mainstream radio. She’s been an activist and an inspiration ever since.
Meshell Ndegeocello
Blending funk, jazz, and poetry, Meshell’s bisexual identity and refusal to conform have made her a guiding light for queer Black musicians. Her work is richly introspective and trailblazing.
Michael Stipe
The R.E.M. frontman came out as queer in the ’90s, after years of fan speculation. He continues to support LGBTQIA+ causes and inspires with his artistic vulnerability.
Miguel Bosé
A global pop star, Bosé has long supported LGBTQIA+ rights and has publicly acknowledged his relationships with men. His star power has helped break down barriers in Latin pop.
Mika
With his joyful pop and flamboyant flair, Mika has embraced his gay identity with optimism and pride. His music often reflects self-love, resilience, and emotional honesty.
Miley Cyrus
Openly pansexual and gender-fluid, Miley Cyrus has used her platform to advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights through music and her Happy Hippie Foundation.
Morrissey
While ambiguous about his orientation, Morrissey’s music with The Smiths often spoke to queer loneliness and longing. He’s long been embraced by LGBTQIA+ fans for his outsider appeal.
Mykki Blanco
A fearless voice in queer hip-hop, Mykki Blanco brings poetry, politics, and performance art into every track. They’ve become a vital figure in trans visibility and boundary-pushing music.
Neil Tennant
As the voice of Pet Shop Boys, Tennant helped make synthpop a vessel for queer storytelling. He came out publicly in the ’90s and continues to support LGBTQIA+ rights.
Pete Burns
The Dead or Alive singer blurred every boundary with his look, identity, and voice. Pete Burns lived glamorously and unapologetically, paving the way for gender-nonconforming artists.
Prince
Though never openly LGBTQIA+, Prince’s gender-bending style and sexual openness inspired a generation of queer fans and artists. His refusal to be boxed in was a lesson in freedom.
Rob Halford
As the frontman of Judas Priest, Rob Halford shattered metal stereotypes when he came out in 1998. He’s since become a powerful advocate for queer representation in hard rock.
Ricky Martin
After years of speculation, Ricky Martin came out proudly in 2010. Since then, he’s used his platform to advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights in Latin America and beyond.
RuPaul
RuPaul didn’t just bring drag into the mainstream—he built a global empire rooted in queer creativity and self-love. “Supermodel (You Better Work)” remains a cornerstone anthem.
Sam Smith
Openly nonbinary and genderqueer, Sam Smith uses their platform to discuss identity, heartbreak, and empowerment. Their vulnerability has helped push pop toward deeper emotional authenticity.
Saucy Santana
Saucy Santana brings bold queerness to hip-hop with confidence and charisma. His music celebrates self-worth and queer joy with infectious beats and fierce lyrics.
Shea Diamond
A Black trans woman with a powerhouse voice, Shea Diamond creates songs rooted in survival and resilience. 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 refusal to conform made her a comfort to those seeking truth.
SOPHIE
A visionary producer and trans icon, SOPHIE’s music broke barriers in pop and electronic music. Her influence continues to reshape how gender and sound are experienced.
Stephen Gately
As one of the first boy band members to come out, Stephen Gately helped normalize queerness in pop music. His bravery inspired fans and paved the way for others.
Sylvester
The original disco diva, Sylvester’s high notes and sequins made him unforgettable. He lived openly and fearlessly as a gay man in the ’70s and became a symbol of Pride on and off the stage.
Tom Robinson
With songs like “Glad to Be Gay,” Tom Robinson sang what others wouldn’t in the 1970s. He remains an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ visibility in music and beyond.
Tracy Chapman
Though intensely private, Tracy Chapman’s career has long championed social justice. Her presence as a Black queer woman in mainstream music has inspired generations of fans.
Troye Sivan
Openly gay and joyfully vulnerable, Troye Sivan represents a new wave of LGBTQIA+ pop stars. His music captures the nuances of queer love and self-discovery.
Tyler, the Creator
Tyler’s evolution from controversy to queer ally and possibly bi-identifying artist has challenged hip-hop’s norms. His artistry and openness invite more dialogue and inclusion.
Wendy Carlos
As a pioneering trans woman in electronic music, Wendy Carlos revolutionized how we hear sound. Her work on film scores and classical synth covers continues to influence generations.
Music changes hearts. These artists changed history. Every time they stepped up to the mic, they were telling us who they were, showing us what’s possible, and daring us to be louder, bolder, freer. The next time someone asks what music can do, show them this list. Then turn the volume all the way up.
