Gay pop artists

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. 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.

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.

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. 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 .

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 . 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.

A list of influential and iconic LGBTQ+ artists who have made outstanding contributions to music and championed LGBTQ+ representation. 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.

From transgender punk rockers to queer disco divas, Rolling Stone picks 25 of music's most underrated trailblazers across the LGBTQ spectrum. Coming out as a gay musician in the 20th century was no small feat. Richard Wayne Penniman was born in and began singing in church at an early age. From Freddie Mercury to Sam Smith, discover the stories and songs of these gay pop stars.

Miwa's performances often included a mix of Japanese and English, along with extravagant costumes and makeup. Within hours of returning to power Monday, United States issued a stunningly broad executive order that seeks to dismantle crucial protections for . Indeed, these famous gay musicians faced tremendous backlash and damage to their careers because of their honesty and openness.

He was also open about his homosexuality in a time and place where being gay was heavily stigmatized and illegal. 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.

In the face of such challenges, many gay musicians turned to music activism to advocate for their rights and create change. This report documents the range of abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in secondary school. 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 .

As we explore queer performance art , we pay homage to those who came before us. As such, many gay musicians chose to keep their sexual orientation hidden for fear of retribution. Scroll through our list and vote for your favorite LGBTQ+ musicians. They serve as a reminder that it is possible to thrive as a musician while being true to oneself. It details widespread bullying and .

Benjamin Britten is one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. However, it wasn't always this way, especially for musicians. 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.

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. Now, let's turn our attention back to musicians like Jobriath, who are or were openly gay in the music industry.

Despite tremendous talent, he also came up against severe backlash for his sexuality. It required immense courage and determination, especially when the music industry was predominantly hetero-normative. 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.

They used their platforms to speak out against discrimination and fight for equal rights for all.