DIVAS IN MUSIC: A SAFE SPACE FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY

It is no secret that sometimes we feel like we do not belong, and we need an escape from reality. This is no exception for the LGBT community, and this escape can sometimes come in the form of a woman hitting insane notes while singing the most relatable and healing lyrics. For the longest time, pop divas have been a safe space for queer people, as their music has helped them navigate complex situations dealing with love and identity that they might find in themselves.

MADONNA

Madonna is one of the most iconic musicians that has ever walked the face of this planet and she is referred to as the “queen of pop”. With her groovy dance pop music, coupled with her rebellious attitude and thought-provoking lyrics, Madonna was the perfect person to give LGBT people a voice in the 80s and still has a strong impact in the community up until this day. She has songs like “Vogue,” which directly resonates with the LGBT community. Madonna is one of the biggest advocates for the LGBT community as she was one of the first famous people to speak up during the 1980s AIDS epidemic.

Image courtesy of Vogue

MARIAH CAREY

Known for her angelic voice, powerful range, dreamy melodies and soulful delivery, Mariah Carey is easily one of the most influential musicians of recent decades. She is attributed as the Queen of Christmas because of her hit song “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” but Mariah has a career that some people do not know about that goes far beyond her Christmas jingles. She has incredible 19 chart topping hits including “Emotions,” “Vision of Love,” “Dreamlover,” and one of the longest running number 1’s, “One Sweet Day” ft. Boyz II Men. Mariah Carey’s music resonates very deeply with members of the LGBT community as her lyrics provide some kind of path and soundtrack to things they might experience. She has also participated in the Pride Parade in 2023.

Image via @MariahCarey on X

BEYONCE

RENAISSANCE album cover, courtesy of Spotify

Everybody loves some Beyoncé, at least anybody who has some taste in music. Whether it is her Destiny’s Child days or her solo career, Beyoncé has found herself at the forefront of pop culture. Her rich vocal range and her confident lyrics has made Beyoncé a figurehead for women all over the world but has also made a significant impact on the LGBT community.

With the release of RENAISSANCE, Beyoncé gave members of the black LGBT community a body of work that celebrated them. With the infusion of house and dance elements, Beyoncé was able to create a world of freedom and queer liberation within her music. On this album Beyoncé highlighted some figures in the black LGBT community like Ts Madison, Big Freedia, and Grace Jones.

JANET JACKSON

Image courtesy of Variety

Most people do not recognize this icon’s incredible contribution to music because her presence was somewhat overshadowed by her brother, Michael Jackson. Janet Jackson is a profound hit maker who has a very distinct, soft and airy voice filled with lyrics that helps people romanticize their lives. Her sensuality within her music provides a space for a lot of LGBT people to be okay to express that side of themselves since someone they look up to does it so endearingly. One of Janet’s most notable times she advocated for the LGBT community was during the AIDS epidemic when she made the song “Together Again” as a form of remembrance to her friends that she lost to the disease.

LADY GAGA

Image courtesy of NPR

Lady Gaga is one of the first names that pops in the mind when I think about LGBT advocacy from musicians that debuted in the 2000s. With her eclectic fashion and reassuring music, she has found a way into the hearts of many of her fame monsters. Her use of imagery helps queer people identify with her artistic expression and gives them a space to feel welcome and seen. Lady Gaga has made so many songs to celebrate pride and the LGBT community like “Poker Face,” “Hair,” “Highway Unicorn (Road to Love),” “Judas” and one of her most popular songs, “Born this Way.” Lady Gaga can be seen as a modern-day Madonna in terms of her impact in the lives of the LGBT community through her activism and artistry.

These are just a few of the many divas that have had an impact in the lives of the LGBT community. There are many more like Nicki Minaj, Kylie Minogue, Ariana Grande, and Whitney Houston, who have also had a lasting impact on the community and have brought them one closer to acceptance towards themselves through their relatable and loving music. These boundary breaking women have made underdogs feel empowered and made them build their confidence up and that makes their music even more iconic.