Art has always served as one of those sources of inspiration for the LGBTQ community that has not only provided them with an outlet but has also helped queer individuals to make way through the difficult phases of life.
There are some timeless pieces of music that have inspired gay and lesbian people across the world to hold on to their pride and love and accept themselves, before seeking the same from the outside world.
There are songs that inspire you to reach such love and light within yourself for yourself, and also those that unabashedly celebrate breaking down the doors of your closet – to live out your truth to the world.
These aren’t necessarily the most “iconic” songs that have come to be recognized as symbols of the ‘LGBTQ-equality movement’, but songs that we have hand-picked simply for their lyrical message of love and acceptance, that are certain to serve as a form of inspiration for those seeking the same.
Counting down some of the biggest and best classics, inspiring the LGBTQ community, here is our latest top 10:
15) Take Me To Church – Hozier
Irish singer and songwriter Hozier’s hard-hitting song talks about the godliness of love and contrasts the message with it’s music video, which features a gay couple being violently attacked and harassed by a group of religious fanatics and cult followers. Powerful and moving.
14) A Love That Will Never Grow Old – Emmylou Harris
“Who cares where we go on this rugged old road, in a world that may say that we’re wrong?” – this incredibly moving tune by country singer Emmylou Harris, as featured on the ultimate gay epic love story – Brokeback Mountain, is about loving someone for life against all odds, including the words of naysayers. A tearjerker, yet inspirational enough to keep your faith alive in letting you follow your heart.
13) Beautiful – Christina Aguilera
A healing song essentially preaching that you’re beautiful, no matter what. The universal message accompanied by a homo-erotic music video, is enough to turn this into one of the most inspiring ballads from the powerhouse vocalist.
Fun fact – she recorded the whole damn thing in one take!
12) Take Your Mama – Scissor Sisters
An anthem about coming out to your mama, and stop pretending to live your life like how a ‘good mamas boy’ oughtta. The song is apparently about Scissor Sisters’ frontman Jake Shears, coming out to his Southern mother, who he’s very close to. Just take your mama out, get drunk and tell her.
11) Him – Sam Smith
The ultimate motivation song you need to hear before coming out to your near and dear ones. ‘Don’t you try to tell me that God doesn’t care for us, it is him I love.” – beautiful and powerful at the same time.
10) Make Your Own Kind Of Music – Mama Cass
This [Mama] Cass Elliot song was recorded by the singer in 1969 for her album ‘Bubblegum, Lemonade, and… Something for Mama’, and it’s generic yet uplifting message about singing your own tunes, and dancing to your own songs is an inspiring, emotional message that has resonated with the LGBTQ community – especially since the song was featured in a few memorable sequences of the 1996-released British gay romance – Beautiful Thing. This would just make you feel good about you being you.
9) Over The Rainbow – Judy Garland
Garland’s decades’ old classic has resonated with several generations of gay people. It’s presence in America’s fight towards equality, starting from the stone-wall riots, has made it an iconic staple in the movement. And it’s everlasting message of hope for a better, more colorful and happy-gay world, continues to make individuals feel, that they’re not alone.
8) F*ckin’ Perfect – Pink
Pink’s hard-hitting song is about accepting all your physical flaws, no matter what the world tells you about them. But much like Christina’s ‘Beautiful’, this too transcends as a message – essentially telling people across the gender spectrum to love themselves inspite of the so-called ‘flaws.’
7) Grace Kelly – Mika
Another coming-out song celebrating the non-confirming individualistic identities. Mika struggles to find what should he be to himself and to the world and turns this into a fabulous
6) I Am What I Am – Gloria Gaynor
Gaynor had another gay-anthem entitled ‘I Will Survive’, that has transported itself to the top of LGBT-culture across generations, but lyrically – I Am What I Am, delivers the message more strongly. Her spoken intro in the beginning of the song is the best motivational message you can expect in a Pop song.
5) I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
The queen of gays through 70’s and 80’s, alongside Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor, gave this shoutout to all those attempting to break out of their closets. An out-and-out celebration of living your truth openly, and living the hell out of it.
4) Born This Way – Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga – who’s been an icon for the new generation of gay and lesbian community garnered this #1, preaching the world that no matter how they feel or who they love, there is nothing wrong with it. The ‘in-your-face’ lyrics in the bridge are the best part about it –
‘No matter gay, straight or bi,
lesbian transgendered life,
I’m on the right track, baby,
I was born to surive.’
3) Traveling Thru – Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s Oscar nominated track from the film – Transamerica, which features a phenomenal performance by the very talented Felicity Huffman – a trans woman trying to mend ways with her long lost son that she had fathered as a man. ‘God made for a reason, and nothing is in vain’ – Dolly Parton’s assurance, is heartfelt and moving here.
2) Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston
One of Whitney Houston’s most iconic songs, isn’t specifically targeted to the LGBTQ community, but it talks about self-acceptance and promotes it as the greatest form of loving, that there is. And hence it makes for one of the most inspiring and uplifting messages about, living your truth. And her passionate delivery of the crucial message, turns this into an epiphany-causing, life-saving experience, as it has been for so many.
1) Same Love – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (ft. Mary Lambert)
When so many mainstream male rappers sold-out by using derogatory commentary on gay people, and ridiculing and shaming same-sex love, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis curated this moving modern-day classic entirely changing the game for good. This song is for everyone, who needs a lesson on coming in terms with the fact that LGBTQ is part of our society, and will always be.
Apart from these uplifting tunes, here are few other cuts that constitute the list’s “honourable mentions”:
LGBT – CupcakKe
Your Song – Elton John
True Colors – Cyndi Lauper
Sissy That Walk – RuPaul
Freedom! ‘90, – George Michael
All Things (from Queer Eye) – Betty Who
Girls / Girls / Boys – Panic! at the Disco
Love Yourself – Sufjan Stevens
She Keeps Me Warm – Mary Lambert
Smalltown Boy – Bronksi Beat
A Little Respect – Erasure