We’re in June, finally the sun is out and we are all getting the sunshine we need, but it's also a huge month for LGBTQ+ folk. HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! Today we’re celebrating the amazing LGBTQ+ musicians who are on our radar at the moment.
Arlo Parks
Recent BRIT award winner for breakthrough artist, Arlo Parks is an up and coming musician who you need to keep your eye on. By the time she was 17, she was public about her bisexuality. She has mentioned in interviews that queer people of colour don’t talk about their sexuality as much, by letting herself be vulnerable it shows those people that it is okay! At only 20 years old, Arlo is in the early stages of her career, but expect to see big things from her.
“Coming out as bisexual was freeing in a way, because it allowed me to talk about experiences and feelings about certain things and people that I didn’t feel able to before. Obviously there’s still judgement and it’s still taboo, and I didn’t want to pigeon-hole myself as the bisexual artist, that’s just a part of who I am. That’s it.”
Kehlani
It’s no secret that at Cactus City we are huge Kehlani fans. You may have heard of Kehlani from her hit “Honey”, she is someone who is very frank about her sexuality having previously described herself as polyamorous and has written many songs about pansexuality.
Sam Smith
Sam Smith, best known for their big hits Diamonds and Stay With Me is not only a multi award winner but a powerful advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Having publicly announced that they are non-binary in 2019 on Jameela Jamil’s podcast, I Weigh. Their life has changed dramatically. It is incredible that mainstream artists are able to talk about their sexuality and gender identity, these positive role models will help to empower non-binary young people!
“After a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.”
Lil Nas X
We can’t do this list without Lil Nas X. You may have heard of the rapper via songs like Old Town Road and Montero. He has become a prominent gay man in the LGBTQ+ in the hip-hop scene. If you haven’t watched it yet, you NEED to watch his performance on Saturday Night Live of Montero. A saucy performance involving a pole dancing routine, lots of leather and male dancers. The dance routine was very sexual and we were living for it. You may have also heard about the wardrobe malfunction, when the fabric around his crotch ripped mid pole routine. An absolute icon hitting back at sexuality taboos.
Laura Jane Grace
Let’s talk about rock music. It’s no secret that I’m a huge rock and metal fan so I HAD to add the legendary Laura Jane Grace, front person of Against Me! The rock and metal scene is one of the most male dominated genres in music. By Laura Jane opening up to her community, she has unwillingly been educating others on transgender issues by just exisiting.
Laura has been publicly out for over 9 years and has released a book called Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout talking about her experiences as a transgender woman. She makes a point of playing venues that are willing to put up gender neutral bathroom signs to ensure safe spaces for transgender and non-binary people.
There is no pressure to be open about your sexuality or gender identity. We know that not everyone has the privilege of having a safe space and platform to do so, please be kind to yourselves. We’re all looking forward to a future where the world is a safe place for all LGBTQ+ people.