Let’s be real: pop music just wouldn’t shine nearly as bright without LGBTQ+ artists shaping its sound, style, and spectacle. From secret codes in the smoky basements of clubs, through chart-topping anthems and show-stopping award performances, queer creativity has driven some of the biggest cultural shifts in music history. So, buckle up as we count down ten of the most unforgettable moments that put LGBTQ+ artistry center stage.
10. Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE and COWBOY CARTER
With RENAISSANCE, Beyoncé didn’t just release a dance album; she celebrated the queer ballroom culture pioneers-giving credit and praise to Black and trans artists who birthed the club scene into being. From sampling drag performers to dedicating the album to her deceased Uncle Johnny, Beyoncé nodded in acknowledgment of whose sound she transformed into worldwide pop. Later, with COWBOY CARTER, the first Black winner for Best Country Album, she spoke volumes in regards to queer influence being everywhere in music.
9. Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and the Monster Legacy
Lady Gaga didn’t just embrace queer culture; she amplified it. “Born This Way” became an LGBTQ+ anthem, spreading messages of self-love and acceptance across the globe. Her over-the-top performances, alter-egos, and unapologetic camp cemented her as a living Pride parade. Beyond music, her advocacy through the Born This Way Foundation has consistently championed queer youth, proving that her impact extends far past the stage.
8. The Ballroom Scene Hits Mainstream
Before Madonna’s “Vogue” propelled it into the pop cultural consciousness, Harlem’s ballroom scene served as a haven of support and safety for Black, Latino, and trans communities. A place of innovation, performance, and survival, Paris is Burning is a vérité documentation of this world-one that would eventually influence house, disco, and mainstream music. Queer dancers and performers created a movement that changed how the world sees performance, dance, and self-expression.
7. Disco’s Queer Revolution
Disco was constructed by LGBTQ+ communities. Legendary underground clubs, such as New York’s Paradise Garage in the 1970s, were playgrounds for Black and queer artists that turned Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, and the Village People into international icons. Disco was not only a form of entertainment back then; it was actually liberation. These beats and anthems represented a soundtrack to queer identity, resilience, and joy, echoing across decades of dance floors around the world.
6. Elton John: Music Icon and LGBTQ+ Advocate
Elton John’s career has been a masterclass in knocking down barriers. From coming out in a world steeped in homophobia, selling millions of records, to using his platform for activism, Elton has been a guiding light for the queer community. The music icon’s style is flamboyant, his hits are timeless, and his philanthropy makes him more than just a pop legend, really, a symbol of that visibility, courage, and perseverance for many generations.
5. Madonna: Ally, Advocate, and Ballroom Champion
She has been a tireless ally for decades, from her vocal support during the HIV/AIDS crisis to spotlighting ballroom culture in her Celebration Tour. She has used her performances as a means to amplify LGBTQ+ voices continuously, from “Vogue” to Pride events, celebrating queer artistry and making the influence of LGBTQ+ culture in pop impossible to ignore.
4. Lil Nas X and Hip-Hop’s Queer Breakthrough
Lil Nas X didn’t just come out-he changed the game. With Montero, he shattered expectations within the hip-hop genre that has been historically hostile to queer identities-and his bold BET Awards performance. Facing backlash with humor and defiance, Lil Nas X proved that queer artists can claim space, dominate the charts, and transform cultural conversations.
3. Kim Petras and Sam Smith: Grammy History
When Kim Petras and Sam Smith won the Grammy for Unholy, it wasn’t a trophy-it was a milestone. It made her the first trans woman to win in her category, while Smith-who identifies as non-binary-shared the moment with grace. Their win marked a turning point, showing that queer and non-binary artists are not just visible-they can dominate pop music and make history.
2. RuPaul and the Mainstreaming of Drag
RuPaul transformed drag from underground art to global entertainment. “Supermodel (You Better Work)” became a queer anthem, and RuPaul’s Drag Race turned lip-syncing, dance, and elaborate performance into mainstream pop culture. Drag queens now headline festivals, drive fashion, and dictate both the sound and aesthetic of modern pop music, evidence of the cultural power of LGBTQ+ performance.
1. The Hidden History: From Little Richard to David Bowie
The queer influence of pop music spans decades. Little Richard and David Bowie, among other trailblazers, utilized fashion, lyrical intonation, and performance to express their identity in code. They tested the boundaries, inspired rebellion, and literally paved the way for others. Queer resistance has always been there in the creation of pop culture, reminding us that the roots of mainstream music are often found hidden in the margins.
So the next time you hit play on that pop anthem, remember-you’re moving to the rhythm of queer innovation. From coded club hits to Grammy-winning spectaculars, LGBTQ+ artists have defined the sound, style, and spectacle of pop music. Their legacy isn’t just in the songs-it’s in every stage, every runway, and every moment we dare to express ourselves freely.