The Gryphon Gazette

By: Mia S. ’28

Many people may not know that queer musical artists have been in mainstream media since the beginning of pop culture, especially because it wasn’t easy being a queer person in the limelight back then. In fact, for many celebrities, being closeted felt like their only option. For example, 1960s pop star Lesley Gore only came out in 2004, well after her musical career had ended. And for those who chose to come out at the peak of their careers, such as Lil Nas X, who came out as gay 6 months after releasing the most popular song of the 2010s, “Old Town Road”, there was a noticeable loss of support and an increase in homophobic comments across the world and social media. Because of this, artists often fear that revealing their LGBTQ+ identity would cause them to lose fans, ultimately ending their careers. 

But this is most definitely not the case in 2025.

(image via Teen Vogue, Erika Goldring)

One of the biggest pop stars in the world right now, Chappell Roan, is an out and proud lesbian. She rose to fame with her hit song “Good Luck, Babe!” and hit album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”. The 2025 Grammy winner’s unapologetically queer lyrics, drag queen inspired outfits, and passionate performances have earned her die-hard fans’ devotion, leaving them begging for more.   

(image via Getty Images)

The most popular indie-pop artist globally is, without a doubt, Clairo. Clairo is an openly bisexual artist who talks about her queer identity and experiences in hit songs like “Pretty Girl” and “Softly”, bringing LGBTQ+ stories to the mainstream. Her multi-genre music, amazing vocals, and brilliant songwriting have paved the way for many indie artists today.

(image via Billboard, Henry Redcliffe)

Troye Sivan is an openly gay pop singer who stormed onto the scene with his first single, “Youth”. Known for his energetic dance music, creative music videos, and electric tour with Charli XCX, Sivan has made a name for himself not only in the queer community but in pop culture as a rising star in the music industry. 

On Troye Sivan’s podcast Origins, he talks about his experience being an openly gay pop star and how the industry has changed in terms of their treatment towards LGBTQ+ artists; “I get to make music videos and I get to be true to who I am”. 

The queer artist experience in the pop music industry has undeniably evolved over the past few years. LGBTQ+ identities went from something that many artists were ashamed of and forced to hide to something they proudly express in their music and personas. One thing is for sure about these pop stars: They’re here, they’re Queer, and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.