Musicians who are gay

The 20 Greatest LGBTQ+ Artists in Music History

We hope you're having a great Pride Month! Last week, we introduced you to 10 rising LGBTQ+ artists we believe will take the earth by storm. This week, we're reflecting upon LGBTQ+ artists already in the public eye. Epic musicians who have inspired, advocated, and conquered.

Whether they've been reveal about their sexuality and gender expression for years or kept their label hidden throughout history, we believe the 20 artists below have created impenetrable sonic works while also changing the world's view of the Gay community for the better.

We've had to limit this list to only 20 people (we grasp there are so many other great LGBTQ+ musicians out there!) but we have chosen the artists we've chosen because we believe their legacies have stood – or will stand – the test of time. We not only salute these musicians during Pride Month, but every day. Without further ado, here are our honorees.


1. Lady Gaga

Gaga came out publicly as bi back in after a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters. Even if she had decided to k

Queer Artists Who Shaped Music History

If this playlist seems like an abbreviated history of popular music from the last years, that's because it is.

Looking closely at musical trends, it’s not hard to find a homosexual artist at the forefront, even if many of those artists had to hide vital aspects of their sexual and/or gender identities. While we reside in a hour in which queerness is far more present in the cultural consciousness (with still quite a long way to go), the queerness of numerous artists throughout history has often been harder to substantiate definitively. The artistic impact, however, is unmistakable.

Queerness by nature is not easy to define. In proof, that may be a feature, not a bug. As the poet Brandon Wint has described it, “Queer favor, escaping definition…. Gender non-conforming like the fearlessness to imagine what love can glance like…and pursue it.” Given that fearlessness and imagination are essential attributes of any artist, it’s not surprising that queer artists, for whom fear and fearlessness are daily facts of existing, have given the world such gifts of imagination.

The Most Iconic LGBTQI+ Song Idols Of All Times

Freddie is not only a global musical icon, but is considered, by many, as a national treasure for the United Kingdom.

Also read: 20 Minutes That Changed The History Of Music: Remembering Live Aid

When interviewed by NME magazine about his sexual orientation, he playfully responded: “I’m as gay as a daffodil, my dear!” And even if he did not openly talk about his private life, it is well known that he spent the last of his years living with his longtime loved one Jim Hutton.

Queen’s guitarist, Brian May, also stated in a interview: “I understand that all through his life Fred didn’t consider that whether he was gay or not was important.”

Ryan Butcher, editor of LGBT website PinkNews, also stated: “It wasn’t just about sexuality with him; it was about his whole identity and the flamboyant persona he projected on stage, which is one of the main things Queen is recognizable for.”

Why he inspires us: Freddie was not only a global rock tune icon for the planet and an inspiration for the LGBTQI+ community, he was also known for being a huge kitten lov

32 LGBTQIA+ Icons in Rock + Metal

Here are 32 LGBTQIA+ icons in rock and metal.

In honor of Lgbtq+ fest Month and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community year-round, we've compiled a gallery of LGBTQIA+ figures in rock and metal. Among the list are Judas Priest's Steal Halford, Queen's Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Halestorm's Lzzy Hale, Greta Van Fleet's Josh Kiszka and many others.

June is the commemorative LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, in honor of the Stonewall Riots that occurred in June of The uprising was in response to a police raid that occurred in Greenwich Village, N.Y., and is considered the single most important event to spark the homosexual liberation movement.

Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Evening, to encourage those who spot as part of the LGBTQIA+ community to participate their authentic selves with others and for others to welcome it with love and acceptance.

READ MORE: Rob Halford Advises Closeted Gay Metalheads Not to Be Afraid

In November, Trans Awareness is celebrated and, more specifically, Transgender Awareness Week takes plac