Ranker MusicList RulesVote up the best bands and musicians who identify as LGBTQ+.
The LGBTQ+ community has long been celebrated within the music industry, as some of the biggest stars of the late 20th century and beyond have identified themselves as such. While it shouldn't matter whether a singer or band is gay, lesbian, transgender, and so on, there have been plenty throughout music's history that completely shine. In fact, some of the greatest musicians to date were and are openly gay, and their music stands the test of time no less.
Of all the LGBTQ+ musicians and bands, both old and new, some have taken the music world by storm. Freddie Mercury, and Elton John are just a few gay musicians who've become complete LGBTQ+ icons. Yet, plenty of LGBTQ+ groups are following close behind, making names for themselves in the industry, as well as bringing much-needed attention to the entire community. These names include Tyler Glenn, Baths, and Kevin Abstract, among many others you'll find on the list below. In short, music may be one of the most all-inclusive industries we know—and we should all be happy about that.
So, who do you think are the best LGBTQ+ musicians? Take a look at the list below and vote up your favorites, and feel free to add others to the list.
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598273Boy George
New Wave, DiscoAlbums: The House Collection Volume 2, The Martyr Mantras, Cheapness and Beauty, U Can Never B2 Straight, Sold
Boy George (born George Alan O'Dowd; 14 June 1961) is an English singer, songwriter, DJ and... more2
509260George Michael
Synthpop, New WaveAlbums: Faith, Listen Without Prejudice, Volume 1, Careless Whisper, Older
George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) was an... more3
655392Elton John
Pop music, Rock musicAlbums: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Disney's Sing-Along: The Lion King, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Madman Across the Water, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
Sir Elton Hercules John (born 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and... more4
596364Freddie Mercury
Pop music, Rock musicAlbums: The Solo Collection, Barcelona, Mr. Bad Guy, Time, Guide Me Home
Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara; 5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991) was a British... more5
563369David Bowie
Rock music, Psychedelic popAlbums: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Hunky Dory, Diamond Dogs, Aladdin Sane, "Heroes"
David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie (,... more6
445311Ricky Martin
Pop music, Latin American musicAlbums: Life, Vuelve, Ricky Martin, The Best of Ricky Martin, Sound Loaded
Enrique Martín Morales (born December 24, 1971), better known as Ricky Martin is a Puerto... more7
572417Lady Gaga
Pop, DanceAlbums: The Fame, Born This Way, Just Dance, The Edge of Glory, The Fame Monster
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga,... more8
476357Feloni
Hip hop music, Rap musicAlbums: A Woman's Revenge
Trish Best, known by her stage name Feloni, is an African-American rapper from Detroit,... more9
336244Frank Ocean
Alternative hip hop, Contemporary R&BAlbums: Channel Orange, nostalgia, ULTRA., unreleased, MISC.
Frank Ocean (born October 28, 1987) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, record... more10
391294RuPaul
Disco, ElectroAlbums: Don't Go Breaking My Heart, Ho Ho Ho, Foxy Lady, Red Hot, Glamazon
RuPaul Andre Charles (born November 17, 1960) is an American drag queen, actor, model, singer,... more11
11870Janelle Monáe
Contemporary R&B, Hip hopAlbums: The ArchAndroid, The Electric Lady, Metropolis, Suite I: The Chase, The Audition
Janelle Monáe Robinson (; born December 1, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper,... more12
12779Pet Shop Boys
Synthpop, New WaveAlbums: Actually, Very, Behaviour, West End Girls, Please
Pet Shop Boys are an English synth-pop duo, formed in London in 1981 and consisting of Neil... more13
255201Hayley Kiyoko
Synthpop, Pop musicHayley Kiyoko Alcroft (born April 3, 1991) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress.... more14
204154Barry Manilow
Pop, Soft rockBarry Manilow (born June 17, 1943) is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, musician,... more15
153109Dusty Springfield
Blue-eyed soul, Pop musicAlbums: Dusty In Memphis Plus, Ev'rything's Coming Up Dusty, I Only Want to Be With You, The Look of Love, See All Her Faces
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien (16 April 1939 – 2 March 1999), professionally known... more16
345290Sam Smith
Pop, R&BAlbums: Nirvana, Latch, Lay Me Down, In the Lonely Hour, Money on My Mind
Samuel Frederick Smith (born 19 May 1992) is an English singer and songwriter. They rose to... more17
314262Troye Sivan
Dream pop, ElectropopAlbums: We're My Otp, The Fault in Our Stars, Dare to Dream, Happy Little Pill, TRXYE
Troye Sivan Mellet (born 5 June 1995) is a South African-born Australian singer, songwriter,... more18
275226Adam Lambert
Pop music, Rock musicAlbums: For Your Entertainment, Trespassing, Take One, Acoustic Live!, Paramount Sessions
Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter and actor. ... more19
236192Janis Joplin
Blues-rock, Rock musicAlbums: Pearl, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Greatest Hits, I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!, The Essential Janis Joplin
Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American rock, soul, and blues... more20
160121Billie Joe Armstrong
Pop punk, New WaveAlbums: Foreverly, Look for Love
Billie Joe Armstrong (born February 17, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter, musician,... more21
352303Tracy Chapman
Blues-rock, Pop musicAlbums: Tracy Chapman, Crossroads, Fast Car, Where You Live, Matters of the Heart
Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter, known for her hits "Fast... more22
174136Tegan and Sara
Indie pop, SynthpopAlbums: So Jealous, This Business of Art, The Con, If It Was You, Sainthood
Tegan and Sara are a Canadian indie pop band formed in 1998 in Calgary, Alberta, composed of... more23
274238Brendon Urie
Pop punk, Pop musicBrendon Boyd Urie (born April 12, 1987) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best... more24
238203Halsey
Electropop, SynthpopAshley Nicolette Frangipane (born September 29, 1994), known professionally as Halsey, is an... more25
236207Sia Furler
Indie pop, ElectronicaAlbums: Some People Have Real Problems, Don't Bring Me Down E.P, OnlySee, Colour the Small One, We Are Born
Sia Kate Isobelle Furler ( SEE-ə; born 18 December 1975) is an Australian singer, songwriter... more
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