Best gay artists
The 20 Greatest Gay Artists in Melody History
We hope you're having a superb Pride Month! Last week, we introduced you to 10 rising LGBTQ+ artists we believe will take the society by storm. This week, we're reflecting upon LGBTQ+ artists already in the public eye. Famous musicians who include inspired, advocated, and conquered.
Whether they've been open about their sexuality and gender expression for years or kept their label hidden throughout history, we accept the 20 artists below have created impenetrable sonic works while also transforming the world's view of the Diverse community for the better.
We've had to limit this list to only 20 people (we realize there are so many other wonderful LGBTQ+ musicians out there!) but we have chosen the artists we've chosen because we consider their legacies include stood – or will stand – the test of time. We not only salute these musicians during Celebration Month, but every day. Without further ado, here are our honorees.
1. Lady Gaga
Gaga came out publicly as bisexual person back in 2010 after a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters. Even if she had decided to keep her sexuality a confidential, we know she would still contain the humongous Homosexual following she has
Today, the LGBTQ+ community can stare to several gay musicians for inspiration, but that wasn’t always the case. Several pioneering openly gay singers paved the way from a time when sexual orientation wasn’t a topic for public discussion.
Indeed, these famous male lover musicians faced tremendous backlash and damage to their careers because of their honesty and openness.
As we explore queer performance art, we pay homage to those who came before us. In this piece, we’ll list some of the most influential names in the queer art movement and their impact on our past and present.
Being an Openly Gay Musician
Undoubtedly, the entertainment industry has come a long way in accepting and representing Gay individuals. However, it wasn't always this way, especially for musicians.
Coming out as a gay composer in the 20th century was no small feat. It required immense courage and determination, especially when the music industry was predominantly hetero-normative.
Sexuality was not only a taboo topic for general discussion but could also fallout in alienation from fans and even cause damage to one's career. As such, many same-sex attracted musicians chose to keep their sexual orientation hidden
Top 10 LGBT+ Music artists 2017
In alphabetical order
This category is for LGBT+ community’s favourite music artists and looked for musicians who are either LGBT+, or who have proven to be strong advocates of the LGBT+ community.
Adele
Adele is a singer-songwriter who, to date, has sold over 90 million records. At the end of 2016 she held the write down for the longest running album at number 1 in the US after 21 sat at that position for 23 weeks. Adele is a sturdy supporter of LGBT+ and women’s rights and performed for free at Identity festival in London in 2011. She stated in an interview, “I’m a feminist, I believe that everyone should be treated the same, including race and sexuality.” The day after the Orlando nightclub shooting, Adele dedicated her demonstrate to the victims of the attack saying, “I would like to commence tonight by dedicating this entire show to everybody in Orlando and at Pulse nightclub last night… The LGBTQ community, they’re like my soul mates since I was really young, so I’m very moved by it.”
Sir Elton John CBE
Sir Elton John CBE is one of the most successful artists of all time. As a gay icon, he is one of the world’s most famous homosexual men. He has s
Some LGBTQA+ artists own achieved world-renowned fame: Tom of Finland, David Hockney, Claude Cahun, and Glück, to name a few. However, there are many others whose work is less well-known but who provide key glimpses into the lives and struggles of their group. These artists showcase the sexual, secretive, radical/political, and heart wrenching-moments that many, if not all, members in the community have experienced. Moreover, there is still a stigma that clouds over both LGBTQA+ artists and the art itself. Fortunately, here at Thomas J. Watson Library, we collect an encyclopedic and comprehensive collection of materials on the history of art in the world. Our online catalogue provides a great starting place to find an ample amount of materials to search LGBTQA+ art. Here are a rare to get you started!
Jarrett Key is a Brooklyn-based visual artist. In his artist's book Trans (see above), Key explores signs and symbols with relation to transgender and gender identities and public restrooms.
Zanele Muholui is a South African artist whose photobook, Faces and Phases, presents portraits of black sapphic women, trans-men, and gay men, who are resisting