Gay music icons

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Known for his roaring, and at times operatic, voice, Freddie Mercury was the lead singer of the rock band Queen.

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. Aside from the music, his vulnerability and charisma have formed a community among fans, reminding young queers everywhere that they need to have their stories told.

Sam Smith’s voice is unmistakable—soulful, tender, and brimming with emotion.

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. The reverberating dawn of disco and pearlescent glam rock in the '70s ushered in a unique sound that joined kids from all identities, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

As a Black, queer, and gender-nonconforming artist, she’s made space for voices that are too often marginalized within the context of mainstream music.

Her 1961 double-album,Judy At Carnegie Hall (later performed live in its entirety by Rufus Wainwright), bagged a Grammy and became the definitive highlight of her illustrious career, which was cut short by her early death in 1969 – an event that, it’s said, helped spark the Stonewall Riots in New York and marked the beginning of the modern gay-rights movement.

Dusty Springfield

A legendary perfectionist crippled by self-doubt and fears that her own sexuality would be exposed, Dusty Springfield’s run of 60s classics such as “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” weren’t her own compositions, but she had a way of making you believe every word of them.

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. "Only because it seems so culturally important to be able to say who you are: I definitely identify as bisexual," Brownstein told Willamette Week.

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Known for her stylized stage name, k.d.

Irrespective, plenty of humans had their hopes raised yet again.

Pet Shop Boys

Since 1985, the British synth duo has said much about contemporary gay life without ever making much of a statement about it. An openly gay man from the beginning of his professional life, Wainwright’s music is infused with poetic narrative, navigating love, heartbreak, and identity through a distinctly queer perspective.

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. 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.

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. Throughout the decades, Miwa is now more than just an entertainer; he is a symbol of strength and LGBTQ+ visibility in Japan.

But it wasn’t until 2008 that Aiken publicly declared himself gay, a moment that was both personal and political in a nation still arguing over LGBTQ+ rights. In a 1995 interview with The Advocate, Ian explained that she had been outed by the Village Voice in 1976, but wanted to talk about her lesbian identity on her own terms.

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Few artists have exploded as quickly as Chappell Roan has.

In a 2019 interview with Jezebel, the artist spoke about their sexuality, identifying as queer. 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.

Carrie Brownstein