These artists broke barriers for LGBTQ+ musicians and helped pave the way for future generations, contributing not only to music but also to broader cultural acceptance and visibility for LGBTQ+ communities. Here are 20 influential musicians who contributed significantly to music history and were LGBTQ+. Some of these names are more widely recognized today, while others were open in their personal lives but kept their sexuality more private due to societal constraints. Each of them, however, helped shape music and LGBTQ+ representation in unique ways.
Freddie Mercury
Legacy: The legendary frontman of Queen, known for hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Freddie was openly bisexual with friends and known for breaking gender norms on stage, which was groundbreaking in rock music.
Fin Costello/Redferns
Elton John
Legacy: Iconic singer-songwriter with hits like “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer,” and a six-decade-long career.
LGBTQ+ Impact: Openly gay, Elton has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness.
Simone Joyner/Getty Images
Little Richard
Legacy: A founding father of rock ‘n’ roll with hits like “Tutti Frutti” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Little Richard was known for his flamboyant style and struggled with his sexuality due to societal pressures, influencing generations of musicians.
Michael Ochs Archives
David Bowie
Legacy: A rock legend with a career spanning decades and hits like “Heroes” and “Space Oddity.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Bowie publicly identified as bisexual and used his platform to challenge gender and sexual norms in the 1970s.
Masayoshi Sukita
Sylvester
Legacy: Disco and soul singer known for the hit “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Sylvester was an openly gay, gender-nonconforming performer and a significant figure in queer disco culture.
Eric Blum | Credit: Getty Images
Melissa Etheridge
Legacy: Rock singer-songwriter known for hits like “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: One of the first rock musicians to come out as lesbian in the 1990s, Etheridge became an LGBTQ+ role model and advocate.
James Moes/Paramount+
Frank Ocean
Legacy: Grammy-winning R&B artist known for the critically acclaimed Channel Orange and Blonde.
LGBTQ+ Impact: Ocean’s coming out letter in 2012 was a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in hip-hop and R&B.
Andras Ladocsi
Janelle Monáe
Legacy: Genre-defying artist known for songs like “Make Me Feel” and “Tightrope.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Monáe came out as pansexual in 2018, becoming a powerful voice for gender and sexual diversity.
Justin French for Rolling Stone.
Billie Holiday
Legacy: Jazz icon known for “Strange Fruit” and “God Bless the Child.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Holiday had relationships with both men and women and defied norms in a time of immense societal restrictions.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
k.d. lang
Legacy: Grammy-winning Canadian singer-songwriter known for her smooth vocals in hits like “Constant Craving.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Came out as a lesbian in 1992, and her openness influenced many LGBTQ+ artists in country and pop.
FilmMagic
Janis Joplin
Legacy: Rock and blues legend known for “Piece of My Heart” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Though she never publicly labeled her sexuality, Joplin was known for her attraction to both men and women.
Evening Standard / Getty
George Michael
Legacy: Pop superstar with hits like “Faith” and “Careless Whisper.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Michael became an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights after coming out as gay in 1998, challenging taboos in the pop world.
Frank Griffin/Photoshot
Ani DiFranco
Legacy: Folk-punk singer-songwriter known for “32 Flavors” and Not a Pretty Girl.
LGBTQ+ Impact: DiFranco has openly discussed her bisexuality and been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights throughout her career.
Shervin Lainez
Tracy Chapman
Legacy: Known for soulful hits like “Fast Car” and “Give Me One Reason.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Though she keeps her personal life private, Chapman’s relationships with women are well-known, influencing LGBTQ+ visibility in folk music.
Kevin Mazur | Credit: Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Sam Smith
Legacy: Grammy-winning British singer known for hits like “Stay with Me” and “Too Good at Goodbyes.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Smith identifies as non-binary and uses their platform to discuss gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues.
Sara Jaye Weiss/Shutterstock | Credit: Sara Jaye Weiss/Shutterstock
Big Freedia
Legacy: Queen of bounce music, a subgenre of hip-hop, and known for collaborations with Beyoncé and Drake.
LGBTQ+ Impact: Openly gay and gender-nonconforming, Big Freedia has made significant strides for LGBTQ+ visibility in hip-hop.
variety
Dusty Springfield
Legacy: British pop icon known for songs like “Son of a Preacher Man.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Springfield was one of the first British pop stars to openly discuss her relationships with women, breaking norms in the 1960s.
David Magnus/ Shutterstock
Jobriath
Legacy: Glam rock musician of the 1970s, known for his openly gay persona and theatrical performances.
LGBTQ+ Impact: Jobriath was one of the first openly gay musicians signed to a major label, paving the way for LGBTQ+ artists in rock.
Factory 25
Kevin Abstract
Legacy: Rapper, singer, and member of the hip-hop collective Brockhampton.
LGBTQ+ Impact: Abstract has been open about his sexuality and addresses LGBTQ+ issues in hip-hop, challenging stereotypes in the genre.
Frazer Harrison | Credit: Getty Images
Tegan and Sara
Legacy: Canadian indie-pop duo known for songs like “Closer” and their LGBTQ+ advocacy.
LGBTQ+ Impact: Identical twin sisters who are both openly gay, they use their platform to support LGBTQ+ youth and issues through their foundation.
Dominik Magdziak | Credit: Getty Images
