Ten LGBTQ+ Artists You Need to Know About This Pride and Beyond
Despite growing visibility for queer artists like Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish, none of the top 10 most-streamed artists on Spotify in the U.S. last year were openly LGBTQ+. On the surface, queer representation in music is better than ever, but the reality is that many LGBTQ+ artists still aren’t receiving the recognition or streaming numbers they deserve. That’s why actively supporting queer musicians by streaming their music, buying their merch, and boosting their voices is crucial. June may be coming to a close soon, but pride doesn't have to be. So, this Pride Month and beyond, we’re spotlighting 10 incredible female LGBTQ+ artists who are making waves across genres while proudly owning their queer identities.
Hayley Kiyoko
Known lovingly by fans as “Lesbian Jesus,” Hayley Kiyoko has been a major force in queer pop since her 2015 hit “Girls Like Girls” skyrocketed in popularity. The Japanese-American singer/songwriter, actress, and author hails from Los Angeles and is known for weaving her identity into her lyrics and visuals. Her 2018 debut album Expectations quickly became a cult favorite, and she followed it up with PANORAMA in 2022. Beyond the catchy hooks, her work has made space for young queer girls to see themselves in mainstream pop.
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe is the definition of genre-defying. From Kansas City, Monáe (who identifies as pansexual and nonbinary) blends funk, soul, hip-hop and sci-fi storytelling into music that’s both thought-provoking and wildly fun. While Dirty Computer (2018) marked Monáe’s departure from her earlier psychedelic sound, their most recent album The Age of Pleasure (2023) dives headfirst into themes of liberation and Black, queer joy with reggae inspired beats.
Kehlani
As an artist that openly leans into the conversation around mental health and healing, Kehlani has never been afraid to be real. Born and raised in Oakland, the R&B star came out as queer in 2018 and later clarified they identify as a lesbian. From their early mixtapes to albums like It Was Good Until It Wasn’t and Blue Water Road, Kehlani has turned personal highs and lows into soulful, smooth tracks that top streaming charts.
Doechii
If you’re not already obsessed with Doechii, it’s time. Hailing from Tampa, Florida, this rap powerhouse is openly bisexual and unapologetic about it. Doechii blew up on Tik Tok with the viral “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” and hasn’t slowed down since. Continuing to gain traction with tracks like “Crazy” and “What It Is (Block Boy),” she fiercely fought addiction, homelessness and discrimination to be recognized in rap. Now as a GRAMMY winner for the popular 2024 album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, it seems she’s finally getting her flowers.
Tegan and Sara
Canadian twins Tegan and Sara have been at it since the early 2000s, and they’re still going strong. These indie-pop queens are both openly queer and have been longtime advocates for LGBTQ+ youth. You probably know them from hits like “Closer” or “Walking With a Ghost,” but their 2019 memoir High School and the accompanying TV show have brought a whole new generation into the fold.
Clairo
Clairo first made waves as a DIY indie pop singer on YouTube, but has since become a global name. Bisexual herself, she’s an outspoken advocate for queer identifying people and mental health in her music career. Her debut album Immunity and follow-up Sling are soft, personal, and packed with introspective lyrics over lo-fi, dreamy production. With over a billion streams and counting, Clairo is helping redefine what it means to be an indie artist in the modern age.
Brandi Carlile
An Americana powerhouse with a voice that stops you in your tracks, Brandi Carlile is one of the most respected singer/songwriters, producers and activists out there. The Washington native is openly lesbian and has been using her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights for years. Her 2018 album By the Way, I Forgive You and tracks like “The Joke” earned her multiple GRAMMYs. She’s also part of the all-female country supergroup The Highwomen, pushing for more inclusion in the genre.
Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge is basically rock royalty. She publicly came out as a lesbian in 1993, decades before it was common for mainstream musicians, and helped pave the way for queer artists today. Known for hits like “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One,” Etheridge has won multiple GRAMMYs and an Oscar. Her raspy voice and emotional power ballads are iconic, and she’s still touring and making music that matters today.
The Indigo Girls
Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, better known as The Indigo Girls, are folk legends and longtime LGBTQ+ activists. Based in Atlanta, they’ve been making heartfelt, harmony-rich music since the late ’80s. Their classic hit “Closer to Fine” remains a queer anthem, and their decades of advocacy, supporting everything from LGBTQ+ rights to Indigenous land protection, are just as impactful as their music.
Girl in Red
Marie Ulven Ringheim, aka Girl in Red, is a Norwegian indie pop artist who has become the soundtrack of queer Gen Z. Her honest lyrics about same-sex love and mental health first gained traction on SoundCloud and TikTok while her debut album if i could make it go quiet solidified her place in global indie.
Pride doesn’t end in June and neither should our support for LGBTQ+ artists. These musicians are not only shaping the sound of modern music but are also boldly sharing their identities and building space for queer joy, pain, love, and liberation. By supporting their work, we amplify voices that need to be heard all year round. Are there any artists we missed? Let us know your favorites by connecting with us on social media and head over to wherever you listen to music to stream these artists. We can’t wait to hear from you!