Have a gay old time with these LGBTQ+ artists
When I was eleven, my best friend asked me what type of music I liked.
“Tegan and Sara,” I told her.
“Oh, cool, would I know any of their songs?”
“They have this one that’s on the radio a lot called ‘Boyfriend’. It’s about, uh…” I immediately regretted saying anything. If I told her what the song was really about, would she think I was gay? Because I was definitely not gay. So I told her, “It’s about this girl who likes her boyfriend.”
Spoiler alert: it’s not. Tegan and Sara are both incredibly queer and when I came out to my friend several years later, she was not surprised in the slightest.
I still absolutely adore Tegan and Sara. Their music spoke to me when I was first discovering my queerness, and I find myself wandering back whenever I need a bit of gay wisdom. Since then, I’ve discovered a plethora of queer music; artists with different identities and backgrounds making music all over the rainbow spectrum of sound.
There is a special kind of joy that comes from blasting music from your community loud and proud– hearing about experiences like your own and completely different at the same time. The importance of representation cannot be overstated. It’s a connection to the wider LGBTQ+ community and a cathartic escape in a world that seems to have lost its mind sometimes.
Despite a widespread shift towards acceptance and love, queer people still face challenges and barriers across the globe. Discriminatory laws recently passed in Poland, Uganda, and the United States are a testament to this. So are the recent debates about pride flags that took place across Ontario last June. Music creates a space where queer people and our allies can come together, express ourselves, heal, and have a voice.
Historically, queer music has been difficult to come by–but not for lack of queer artists. Tom Robinson Band’s 1978 hit “Glad to Be Gay” was banned from being played on BBC’s Top 40 chart show. Artists such as Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, who were both making music in the early 1900s, alluded to their love of women without explicitly stating it in their music. Along with artists such as Bikini Kill, Freddie Mercury, and Beverly Glenn-Copeland, they paved the way for the explosion of queer music in recent years. Now, songs about first queer loves, breakups, being aro-ace, transitioning, gender fluidity and neutrality, religion, intersectionality, found-family, discrimination, change, and more are all around us.
No longer relegated to the fringes or the implied, queer music is in the midst of a renaissance. We’ve always been here, but now we’re getting more radio time. Here are five LGBTQ+ artists to stream this season:
DODIE (she/they)
Since releasing “I’m bisexual – a coming out song!” on YouTube six years ago, Dodie’s indie bedroom pop has only become more and more queer. Her introspective and vaguely folksy music has reached fans in both her homeland of England and around the world. Recently, they joined the band FIZZ, whose debut album was released last fall.
Tracks to start with: “She” and “Would You Be So Kind”
BEVERLY GLENN-COPELAND (he/him)
Over the course of his 50 year music career, Glenn-Copeland has come out as trans-masc, released albums that range from folk-blues to new age synth, received numerous music awards, and been the subject of a documentary film. Now at 80 years of age, Glenn-Copeland’s latest album The Ones Ahead feels like medicine for the soul.
Tracks to start with: “Harbour (Song for Elizabeth),” “The Ones Ahead,”and “Let Us Dance”
HAVIAH MIGHTY (she/her)
Haviah Mighty is a Juno and Polaris Music Prize winning rapper from Brampton, Ont. whose flow moves seamlessly between socio-political and personal introspective. “As a Jamaican Bajan Toronto gyal who likes gyal, there is a weird divide between the black and queer community,” she tweeted. “The cultural significance of [her latest track] Room Service is you don’t have to pick a side.”
Tracks to start with: “Room Service” and “Honey Bun”
WIC WHITNEY (he/him)
Whitney’s rap lends itself well to warm storytelling. It’s no coincidence that his latest EP is titled Afternoon Tea and features songs following that theme. Songs about love, life, death, and family feature prominently. As well as lots of tea. Settle in, cozy up, and take a listen.
Tracks to start with: “Oolong” and “Mama’s Song”
JOY OLADOKUN (she/they)
In a Rolling Stone interview, Oladokun stated that they hoped their new album is full of “helpful anthems.” This is the perfect term to describe her music: personal, real, and sensitive. Blending together folk, R&B, rock and pop, Oladokun’s YouTube says they create songs “all about life as I learn to live it.” Recently, she played at the White House at the signing ceremony for the Respect For Marriage Act.
Tracks to start with: “sunday” and “We’re All Gonna Die”
Honourable mentions include: alt-rock artist LP, folksy emo band Bears in Trees, indie-pop group MUNA, and confessional trans artist Addison Grace.