Male gay artists
Gay Musicians – The Melodies of Diversity: LGBTQ+ Composers and Singers Who Shaped Music
In the vibrant and evolving landscape of music, the contributions of LGBT composers and singers have been both profound and transformative. From the Affectionate era to the Contemporary music scene, these artists contain navigated personal challenges and societal constraints, allowing their sexual orientation and individuality to influence their music in singular ways. This article explores the lives and works of several such musicians, shedding light on how their experiences as part of the LGBTIQ+ society have enriched the music world. Let’s go now through the 16 LGBTQ Gay Musicians.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Romantic Infatuation and Inner Turmoil
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, one of Russia’s most celebrated composers, created symphonies, ballets, and operas that persist central to the classical repertoire. His music, characterized by its emotional depth and powerful melodies, reflects his tumultuous personal life. Tchaikovsky’s homosexuality, a unsafe secret in 19th-century Russia, influenced the passionate and often melancholic nature of his compositio
Some LGBTQA+ artists have 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 important glimpses into the lives and struggles of their community. 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 scout LGBTQA+ art. Here are a few to get you started!
Jarrett Key is a Brooklyn-based visual artist. In his artist's manual 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 lesbian women, trans-men, and gay men, who are resisting
Today, the LGBTQ+ people can look to several gay musicians for inspiration, but that wasn’t always the case. Several pioneering openly queer singers paved the way from a time when sexual orientation wasn’t a topic for widespread discussion.
Indeed, these eminent gay musicians faced tremendous backlash and damage to their careers because of their honesty and openness.
As we investigate 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 Lgbtq+ Musician
Undoubtedly, the business industry has appear a long way in accepting and representing LGBTQ+ individuals. However, it wasn't always this way, especially for musicians.
Coming out as a gay musician in the 20th century was no little feat. It required immense courage and determination, especially when the music industry was predominantly hetero-normative.
Sexuality was not only a taboo topic for public discussion but could also result in alienation from fans and even cause harm to one's career. As such, many gay musicians chose to keep their sexual orientation concealed
Lady Gaga
It’d be impossible to understate out bisexual player and actor Lady Gaga‘s impact on culture and pop music, or the impact she’s made as an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Every Gaga performance and high-camp costume was iconic. Her male alter-ego Jo Calederone was absurdly hot. Her tune video for “Telephone” opened with Gaga making out with butch Canadian show artist Heather Cassils and ended with her holding hands with Beyonce and driving into the sunset. “Born This Way” doesn’t even matter —it’s “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face” and “Alejandro” and “Bad Romance” and “You and I” and “Paparazzi.” Lady Gaga is a queen of gay pop.
Hayley Kiyoko
On the cover of Nylon Magazine’s first-ever Pride Issue, Hayley Kiyoko was described as an unprecedented gravity in the gay pop scene, a lesbian teen heartthrob unafraid to court a passionate, starving homosexual fan base who crowned her Lesbian Jesus. She was the first female homosexual pop star signed to a major label to make multiple music videos in which she kisses girls. It’s incr