{"id":7,"date":"2024-06-12T02:33:32","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T02:33:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/queermusic\/?p=7"},"modified":"2024-06-14T14:44:27","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T14:44:27","slug":"queer-liberation-music-the-rainbow-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/queermusic\/2024\/06\/12\/queer-liberation-music-the-rainbow-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Queer Liberation & Music – The Rainbow Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When asked about her own queer inspirations within the music industry, Bexx states, \u201cI am heavily inspired by tons of artists in the industry; queer and straight. I specifically love Renee Rapp, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Mirage Amuro, and Chappell Roan. I am so grateful that we have so many artists that are out and proud right now in their music and life. I hope to be as true to myself as them someday.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Today, the queer community can easily find themselves represented in music with artists such as Renee Rapp, Chappell Roan, Troye Sivan, boygenius and many others. This openness and acceptance in mainstream music provides a sense of relief to those that feel rejected or lonely due to the cisheteronormative society that surrounds them. Queerphobia and cisheteronormativity still dominate the field with big artists queerbaiting or showcasing performative activism for more views, streams, and popularity. Queer music is only growing with more and more queer artists celebrating their work everyday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Queer Revolution in Music<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Music has been a huge part of nearly every revolution throughout history. From David Bowie to Lady Gaga, the queer community has always had their place in the music industry. Popular music has been a fantastic means of rebellion and oddities. Music-making gives artists an identity and allows artists to rebel against society as well as politics. For example, David Bowie was an inspirational and empowering figure for many young queer people in the late 80s and early 90s. In his songs \u201cQueen Bitch\u201d and \u201cLady Stardust\u201d, Bowie leaned into gay stereotypes to flaunt his own sexuality. Although Bowie\u2019s songs were not necessarily commenting on the queer liberation movement or giving new perspectives on the topic, his openness regarding his sexuality and gay stereotypes helped queer people find their own home and acceptance in mainstream music. Freddie Mercury is another artist that paved the way for modern queer popular music. Still to this day, Mercury is one of the world\u2019s greatest performers of all time and has devoted fans decades after his death. Mercury\u2019s openness with his sexuality in both interviews and his music provided a safe space for the queer community in the music industry. Bowie and Mercury both had a gay following due to their uncensored identities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1980s, a sense of optimism rushed through the queer community. Society was becoming more progressive and the LGBTQ+ community was gaining more rights. However, there was an unexpected underlying threat nearing the surface. Initially called GRID (Gay Related Immunodeficiency Disease), AIDS began to spread like wildfire. Originally known as a strictly gay epidemic, this disease led to the spread of misinformation and hate. In these trying times, musicians and artists were able to find a voice to stay hopeful and spread love through community. Several benefit concerts arose such as \u201cLive Aid\u201d and \u201cRed Hot + Blue Project\u201d. These concerts brought together a plethora of musicians from all genres, not only sharing their talents, but also spreading awareness and revolution. \u201cPop superstars like Elton John, Madonna, George Michael, and the band Queen were among the first to break the silence about AIDS. With their massive global reach, they brought vital awareness to the crisis.\u201d[1] LGBTQ+ musicians found the courage to break their silence to bring forward their experiences, activism, and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CC: Bernd Br\u00e4gelmann (https:\/\/commons.m.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Freddie_Mercury_Statue_Montreux_(retouched).jpg<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music as a Means of Communication & Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I\u2019m on the right track, baby\u201d. Lady Gaga\u2019s \u201cBorn This Way\u201d became a huge hit immediately upon release. The queer community felt acceptance in a way they hadn\u2019t before through music. Lady Gaga was very open about her own bisexuality and expressed that some of her other songs were about her own experience in her sexuality. For example, \u201cPoker Face\u201d is about hiding her own desire for women. Not only did she make unconventional choices regarding her sexuality in her music, but she also made unconventional choices regarding her gender expression through fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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