LGBTQ representation in country music

Last updated

There has been a longtime but relatively unknown history of LGBTQ representation in country music. [1] LGBTQ visibility in the genre has increased since the 2010s. [2] Modern LGBTQ country musicians include Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Lil Nas X, Maren Morris, Grant MacDonald, Cameron Hawthorn, Orville Peck, TJ Osborne, and drag performer Trixie Mattel. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Artist and gay liberation activist Patrick Haggerty formed the band Lavender Country in 1972. The band's self-titled first album, released in 1973, has been credited as the first openly gay country album. [7] [8] In 1992, Grammy winning country singer k.d. Lang came out as a lesbian. [9]

In 2023, Dixon Dallas released "Good Lookin'", which quickly became a viral song due to its catchy tune combined with its lyrics graphically describing gay sex [10] and later released two more songs centering around gay love and gay sex. [11] Queer country anthems include "The Giver" (2025) by Chappell Roan. [12]

Los Angeles has seen a monthly country karaoke event for the LGBTQ community. [13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The story of queer country music – and its message of hope". www.bbc.com. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  2. ↑ Freeman, Jon (2021-08-18). "Why Country Music Was (Finally) Ready to Come Out". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  3. ↑ "Discover 29 LGBTQ+ country artists you need to hear now". www.out.com. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  4. ↑ "10 queer and trans country artists for your big gay twangy summer playlist | Xtra Magazine". 2024-07-03. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  5. ↑ ChloeRobinson (2020-09-07). "Cameron Hawthorn is the country gay icon we all need". CelebMix. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  6. ↑ Richards, Chris (2013-11-06). "Brandy Clark's debut album is a stunner. But will anybody hear it?". The Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  7. ↑ Dickinson, Chris (2000). "Country Undetectable: Gay Artists in Country Music". Journal of Country Music. XXI (1): 28–39. Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  8. ↑ Groff, Will (2023-10-31). "Country music has always been queer...seriously". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  9. ↑ Gleason, Holly (5 October 2021). Woman Walk the Line: How the Women in Country Music Changed Our Lives. University of Texas Press. p. 123-128. ISBN   978-1-4773-2258-1 . Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  10. ↑ Wiggins, Christopher (August 4, 2023). "Dixon Dallas Talks About His Viral Gay Country Song That You Have to Hear to Believe". Advocate. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  11. ↑ Rude, Mey (August 16, 2023). "Dixon Dallas' Steamy New Country Song Is About Riding 'Like an F-150'". Out. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ Gibbs, Audrey. "Chappell Roan defies norms with lesbian country song. More queer country anthems". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  13. ↑ "This country karaoke night in L.A. is a rootin', tootin' hootenanny with a queer twist". Los Angeles Times. 2025-01-09. Retrieved 2025-04-21.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.