5 LGBTQ Musicians Who Made History
Celebrate the work of five queer artists who made their mark on the world of music.
At L'OFFICIEL, we are celebrating Pride Month with a list of extraordinary artists who have made us feel through their music. With their unique personalities and inimitable voices, these artists have paved the way for future generations of musicians to come. Here, we commemorate five talents who have inspired millions of people around the world with their undoubted impact on the music industry.
A pop icon of the '60s, Lesley Gore's voice captured people worldwide when she was just 16 years old. The songs of the Brooklyn native became feminist anthems for an entire generation with "It's My Party" and "You Don't Own Me" being among her biggest hits. Gore was a skilled songwriter and was nominated for an Academy Award for writing the tracks for the acclaimed '80s film, Fame. Twenty years after coming out as a lesbian, she became an activist for LGBTQ rights, and despite her passing in 2015 at age 68, the impact of Gore's work and talent remain felt by many.
Lesley Gore / BBC.
The talented English singer, pianist, and composer was a musical phenomenon of the 20th century, and today his music continues to inspire millions of people. With his unmatched style—his exotic stage costumes have been an inspiration to stylists and catwalks alike—and an unparalleled voice, Elton John has captivated millions since his emergence in the late '60s. John was one of the first singers to come out as gay in the 1990s, and despite the difficulties he faced, he was able to move forward with his career and promote positive change. In 1992, he established the Elton John AIDS Foundation to end the HIV epidemic and fight the stigma surrounding it, which still supports millions of people living with the virus to this day.
Known for his theatricality on the stage, Klaus Nomi's androgynous style has been an inspiration for several fashion designers and has even become something of a benchmark for avant-garde dress. Nomi was a German countertenor, lover of opera, and show business afficionado. Despite not being recognized in life, his work and characterization have contributed enormously to queer culture. His performance as a backup singer for David Bowie in a 1979 appearance on the show Saturday Night Live went down in screen history. A victim of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s, Nomi died at a time when there was still a lot of misinformation and few resources on the virus. Despite his short career, he left a huge mark on music and today, he is considered a gay icon.
The English singer and philanthropist was part of the successful duo Wham! in the '80s, and birthed colossal hits such as "Wake me up before you go-go" and "Last Christmas," which sold millions of copies. With his great talent, Michael was a success not only in the United Kingdom, but around the world. In 1998, he publicly came out as gay and was an activist for LGBTQ rights and an HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser until his death in 2016.
The lead singer of the renowned English band Queen, Freddie Mercury was an artist in every sense of the word. He was not only a great singer, but also an accomplished songwriter behind hits like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Are the Champions." With his unmatched voice, Mercury could hit extremely high notes and skillfully switch vocal styles. His music has transcended the often damning restraints of time, re-gaining relevance time and time again over the years. After Mercury's passing in 1991 from HIV-related complications, his bandmates, Brian May and Roger Taylor, and their manager, Jim Beach, founded The Mercury Phoenix Trust, a foundation that raises funds for the fight against HIV, in memory of the iconic vocalist.
