A DEEP DIVE: LGBTQ modern Pop Music History

BY KATHERINE CHUNG (SHE/HER)

October is LGBTQ History Month. The month celebrates the rights, history, movements, and icons from the past and present. Throughout the month we also celebrate International Lesbian Day, National Coming Out Day, International Pronouns Day, and Asexual Awareness Week.  

There are so many moments in LGBTQ pop music to list. From same-sex marriage allyship to coming out announcements, artists are spreading awareness and creating safe spaces for questioning or queer fans like themselves. As Miley Cyrus said in a TIME interview during Pride Month of 2015,” Maybe if you’re finally getting to be yourself, it’s more of a celebration…like, you are living your fu**ing life.” At Out Jamz, we celebrate LGBTQ pop and indie artists every month. This month, we want to explore some of the most monumental LGBTQ moments in the pop music industry from 1970-2023. While these moments are significant every LGBTQ music history moment should be recognized.

The 1970s

The Civil Rights Movement impacted the awareness of queer individuals’ rights. LGBTQ activism peaked during the Gay Liberation Act in the late 60’s and early 1970s. In a 1976 Rolling Stones article, the famous pop and rock star, Elton John came out as bisexual. A few years before that article was released, he released his famous song, “Rocket Man” in 1972. The song was rumored to be a metaphor for being queer since it’s about a man he worked with. However, there are several interpretations of his songs, and at the end of the day it’s not about who it is about; it’s about the music. Then in 1978, Queen released their song, “Don’t Stop Me Now”. A song written by Freddie Mercury about their gay sex culture during the AIDS and HIV times. It was rumored to have themes about Freddie Mercury’s sexuality since he was oftentimes openly sleeping with men and doing drugs. The 70s were only the beginning of LGBTQ advocacy in the music industry and artist awareness.

The 1980s 

In the 1980s, LGBTQ identities began to gain visibility in the music industry, largely spurred by the emergence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This health crisis had a profound impact on the LGBTQ community, notably affecting music icons like Freddie Mercury. The lead singer of Queen sang "Highway to Heaven" during a period marked by drug use and same-sex relationships.

Parallel to the discourse surrounding AIDS/HIV, Diana Ross released her single "I'm Coming Out" in 1980, which became one of the standout gay anthems of the decade, even making it onto the Billboard charts.

Later in the late 1980s, drag queens and drag events gained significant popularity. An example can be found in the pop group B25's music video for "Love Shack" in 1989, which featured the renowned drag race queen RuPaul. While RuPaul's appearance was subtle, the music video played a pivotal role in bringing drag queens into the spotlight.

Towards the end of the decade, the pop icon Madonna spoke out about the AIDS epidemic. Her gay male dance instructor, Christopher Flynn, was affected by the horrible disease. The situation made her realize how serious and personal the situation was. Together the two put together a dance benefit concert that raised money for AIDS Project LA and others affected by the disease.

Overall, the 1980s marked a crucial period for the emergence of 'queercore' in the music industry, solidifying its importance in LGBTQ representation.

The 1990s

In the 1990s, LGBTQ individuals experienced a period of significant transformation and increasing inclusivity. This era was overshadowed by the devastating AIDS and HIV epidemic, which was taking a toll on communities worldwide, particularly affecting queer individuals. As a result, there was a tragic loss of hundreds of lives within the queer community.

Amidst these challenges, the concept of 'Queercore' gained prominence in the media, providing a more welcoming environment for queer artists to share their content openly. Iconic figures like Madonna emerged as some of the most prominent queer artists of the time. Notably, her documentary "Truth or Dare," released in 1991, prominently featured a majority of gay dancers, highlighting her support for the LGBTQ community. That same year, she released a music video for her song "Justify My Love" that included a lesbian kiss, further breaking barriers.

In the following years, artists began to advocate for an increase in pro-LGBTQ legislation, particularly after the Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law by former President Bill Clinton in 1996. Allies of the LGBTQ community, such as The Spice Girls, started to serve as beacons of hope for their queer audiences, offering support and solidarity during a time of significant social change.

The 2000s 

The 2000s brought forth a new era for LGBTQ discussions, touching on metrosexuality, bisexuality, and artists' support for the community. In 2003, the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in Massachusetts. J-Lo and Janet Jackson gained recognition for their LGBTQ allyship.

In 2008, Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" and Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" emerged as bisexual iconic songs. Perry openly identified as bisexual, initiating a dialogue about her sexuality and broader societal change. Lady Gaga, on the other hand, revealed the meaning behind her song in 2023, surprising some fans.

Miley Cyrus advocated for gay marriage through a tweet in 2009, igniting discussions on the topic. The decade reignited conversations about LGBTQ rights but also saw negative discussions about concepts like metrosexuality.

Metrosexuality, a male stereotype, was explored in a 2003 New York Times article. The first post-metrosexual generation was highlighted as having a more accepting foundation to explore masculinity freely. Celebrities like the cast of "Glee" were influenced by media perceptions. Products and music were marketed based on behavior, making it a challenging time to accept advertised products.

The 2010s 

The 2010s marked a significant period for LGBTQ artists as their music gained mainstream recognition. In 2012, Frank Ocean courageously addressed his sexuality in a heartfelt letter, providing solace to others facing similar struggles. Just before the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, Hayley Kiyoko released "Girls Like Girls," a pop anthem depicting a summer romance between two teenage girls. Kiyoko, known for her lesbian-themed pop songs and inclusive music videos, is affectionately referred to by fans as "Lesbian Jesus."

In 2016, Mariah Carey received the Ally Award at the GLAAD Media Awards for consistently using her platform to advocate for LGBTQ equality, warmly embracing the community. In 2019, Tegan and Sara, openly gay musicians, released a memoir chronicling their music journey and the challenges they faced as closeted teenagers. Their revelations as they grew together serve as an inspiring narrative, and they now proudly serve as role models for their fans. This year, they had the honor of performing at the All Things Go and BeachLife festivals.

TODAY

In recent years, LGBTQ  pop music has gained unprecedented mainstream recognition. Major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music offer curated pride playlists, and artists like Demi Lovato performed at PRIDE parades. LGBTQ pop songs are also making waves in movies and streaming services.

Over the past decade, there's been a notable shift in support and legal protections for LGBTQ artists. This positive change has allowed figures like Troye Sivan and Ben Platt to openly discuss their sexuality.

In 2022, The Grammys celebrated a landmark year for LGBTQ representation, with artists recognized in the top categories and a record number of LGBTQ nominations. Sam Smith and Kim Petras, an openly trans duo, made history by winning Best Pop Duo/Group with their song "Unholy." Additionally, openly bisexual artist Steve Lacy received four nominations, and Omar Apollo delivered an empowering message about labels and queer identity. And Omar Apollo made a speech to queer Gen Z, “this generation of queer kids don’t want to label themselves, and I think that that’s the coolest thing… There’s no need for labels… Queer is, I feel, a good label if we’re gonna label it.”