Halsey, who rose to fame by sharing her music on social media platforms, has always been very vocal about her sexuality. Coming out as bisexual since she blew up in 2015, she has openly talked about the challenges and misconceptions associated with the term. From adding female pronouns to her lyrics to giving powerful speeches at pride parades, Halsey is truly an iconic figure in the community!
In the music video for his debut track, Marrow, VINCINT featured people from different ethnic backgrounds and from the LGBTQ+ community. He’s been very outspoken about his identity as a Black gay man and always emphasizes the universal message of love. It is themes and messages such as this one that make music so much more relatable!
Guitarist, songwriter, and Greenday frontman, Billie Jean Armstrong told The Advocate that he identifies as bisexual in an interview back in 1995. Very vocal about his sexuality, he believes that people are actually born bisexual but society tells them it’s bad. A year before this revealing interview, Armstrong married his now-wife Adrienne and even had his first son soon after.
As of September 2019, singer Sam Smith came out as gender fluid and began using “they/them” pronouns on a social media post. They have always been proud of who they are and have also been an active voice for LGBTQ+ rights. How many reasons can one person give for us to be in love with them? We’re still counting...
In 2010, Livin’ La Vida Loca singer Ricky Martin came out of the closet by posting a lengthy note on his official website. He wrote, “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man” after many years of rumors surrounding his sexual orientation. The pop star was very open about his mental health issues and has been a role model of many. More power to you sir.
Jaden Smith has always broken social gender norms with his stunningly unique gender-fluid styles. After he received all the backlash for being himself, he stated that if he wanted to wear a dress, he would. And that’s on periodt! He even co-owns a gender-neutral clothing line called MSFTS, which seems to have the most comfortable, edgy clothing out there.
Janelle Monae is a superior songstress; there’s no denying that but, what you probably did not know is that she is also an LGBTQ+ icon. Identifying as bisexual and pansexual, Monae is very outspoken about her sexuality, gender fluidity, and her intentions to be open to learning more. As of now, she is rumored to be dating actress Tessa Thompson. We need more tea on this relationship!!!
A long-time visible member of the LGBTQ+ community, Kehlani has clarified that she’s queer, not bi or heterosexual. She also mentioned that she’s been making music about women her entire career, but once she wrote Honey and used the right pronouns, she realized that people needed that representation to be bolder in everyday life. We love ourselves women unafraid to speak their minds!
RuPaul’s album “Supermodel of the World” was a phenomenal success, and if you haven’t heard it, you need to sashay away to the tunes, stat. He is one of the most famous drag queens in the U.S and has been serving lewks from day 1 in front of the camera. Post his musical success; he landed a talk-show on VH1, which always tackled topics such as black empowerment, misogyny, and female empowerment.
Rachel Wood has gone on record to say she prefers the identity queer. She used to previously identify as bisexual and spoke about how bisexuality doesn’t mean halfway gay and halfway heterosexual but rather is its own identity. The star later mentioned that she finds labels tricky, and isn’t that all of us most days? Can we get a yaass!
Frank Ocean celebrates his sexuality and relationships with men through his music. In fact, before he released his debut album “Channel Orange,” he shared a very intimate note on Tumblr, which mentioned the inspiration behind his music, his first love, and how he felt like a free man. Okay, going to listen to the album and cry in the bathroom at work, brb!
Elton John’s fiery outfits, vibrant music, and larger-than-life persona made him a fan favorite for generations to come. Apart from being celebrated for his eccentricities, he is also celebrated for being very open about his sexuality in a time when it was not very accepted in society. In his usual open manner, he shared his thoughts about how everyone is bisexual to a certain extent and later identified as gay.
Member of the 1990’s boyband NSYNC, Lance Bass, came out as gay in a cover story for People magazine in 2006. Speaking about how he never acted on or mentioned his sexuality before, he told People that he was afraid his sexuality would end up overpowering everything else in his career. The pop star married actor Michael Turchin in 2014 and is loving the life they both share.
Miley Cyrus has come a long way from being Disney’s Hannah Montana. She mentioned she’s very open about her sexuality and that she identified as pansexual in a frank interview with Time Magazine. She also considers herself as genderfluid as she hates being put in a box. Lots of sides to this coin, unlike what most people believed about her in their childhoods!
Panic! At the Disco frontman Brendon Urie is amazingly talented, and while he’s married to a woman, he’s gone on record to mention that he’s not opposed to being with a man. He identifies as pansexual and has, since literally forever, been breaking down masculine stereotypes and playing around with themes of sexuality through his music. The only panic he causes is in a regressive society!
The pop goddess Kesha admitted to being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in an interview with Seventeen Magazine in 2013. She spoke about how she loves people and that it’s not about the gender of a person. Along with gifting us with an openness rarely seen in celebrities, let’s not forget that she gave us some absolute bangers that will be played for generations to come.
Hayley Kiyoko, aka Lesbian Jesus, as dubbed by fans, has always shared her experiences through her singing. Her music videos vastly feature same-sex love stories and have these moody tones nobody can get enough of. Her only hope is that the people watching her work can learn to be not scared of accepting themselves. It is heartwarming and empowering!
Ex-member of British girl-band Fifth Harmony, Lauren Jauregui came out in 2016 in an open letter to Trump supporters. She then went on to star alongside Halsey in music videos portraying same-sex love and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. In a candid interview with Billboard, the pop star spoke about her bisexuality and falling in love with people’s souls. A true Bo$$ in every way!
In a 2009 interview with The Advocate, Fergie confirmed that she’s bisexual and also commented that she finds women beautiful (but then who doesn’t, hello?) and that she is not ashamed of her sexuality. Like a breath of fresh air, the ex-Black Eyed Peas member has never shied away from being outspoken onstage or elsewhere. She is and will always be Fergalicious!
Cara Delevingne has never been shy about her sexuality but when a Vogue writer suggested to the top model that bisexuality is a phase, she addressed it with a simple yet savage comment that went something like this — “My sexuality is not a phase.” She later told The New York Times, “I am who I am.”
Kim Petras began hormone therapy at the age of twelve as she began her transitioning. Since then, she has attained fame for her unique pop music, but rather than choosing to gloss over difficult times; she has used her fame to discuss her identity. She has even gone on record to speak about “feeling suicidal” when she was in the wrong body.
David Bowie is undoubtedly an international icon and will be one forever. But, aside from oodles of talent, what makes him even more memorable was how he owned his identity. Back when coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ community was stigmatized, David came out as gay in a 1972 issue of England’s Melody Maker and the lyricism in his music was never seen the same way again.
In 2013, when Troye Sivan was a budding YouTuber, he came out as part of the LBGTQ+ community with a video titled “Coming Out.” Since then, he’s gone on to become a major pop star and ensures to include representation in his lyrics and music videos. The upper echelons have so much to learn from him dear audience, so much to learn!
Even though Queen frontman Freddie Mercury never came out officially, he was openly in a relationship with Jim Hutton from 1985 until his unfortunate demise. Throughout his career, he faced rumors about his sexuality, most of which originated from his extravagant style, flamboyant outfits, and suggestive lyrics. He wanted to break free of societal norms and so he did!
On the last day of Pride Month in 2019, Lil Nas X released the album art for his EP “7”. The cover had the rapper wearing a cowboy hat and riding a horse with rainbow lights in the background. Once fans began commenting on and questioning the symbolism, the singer-rapper said he thought everyone already knew that he belonged to the LGBTQ+ community.
In a 2017 YouTube documentary, Demi Lovato revealed that her love is not barred by constraints of gender. Since coming out, she has mentioned that she loves the freedom that comes with her fluidity. Not forgetting to mention, she now can be with whoever she wants and believes she is a lot happier than before! A brilliant perspective, that one right there.
Amy Winehouse used her music to touch the souls of millions even as she struggled with various addictions, leading to her untimely demise. Years after her passing, singer Neon Hitch claimed that Amy had introduced her to being a lesbian, and the vocalist never did anything to squash rumors in her time. Although, she had once said she would like her dream superpower to be having super sexuality.
In 2009, Lady Gaga mentioned that she’s been sexually intimate with women in a TV interview with Barbara Walters. She later rebuffed rumors that she came out as bisexual for marketing, stating that this is who she is and who she has always been. Unapologetically herself, this vocal powerhouse has never backed away from talking about things that mattered.