“Girls Like Girls” — Hayley Kiyoko. This song is absolutely gorgeous and is about, as you can tell from the title, girls who love girls. It’s a positive song that celebrates women who are attracted to women and comes along with a beautiful music video that you all should watch. Aside from this song, Hayley has released a music video for her song “Cliff’s Edge” that features herself with a female love interest, and her recent EP Citrine includes fantastic songs about loving girls as well. The internet seems a bit confused as to whether Hayley is bisexual or lesbian, but she is certainly attracted to women and not afraid to show it!
“Battle Cry” — Angel Haze (feat. Sia). This is a really triumphant song about overcoming struggle and finding success. It’s very powerful, and although not specifically about the experience of being non-straight/non-cis, one can certainly take heart from its lyrics regardless. Angel Haze identifies as pansexual and agender. Angel, who has said they don’t really care what pronouns people give them, proudly does not ascribe to any gender at all.
“for him.” — Troye Sivan. This is a love song that’s meant to be for boy, and it’s beautiful. Troy Sivan is an openly gay YouTuber and musician whose music and videos often reflect his sexuality, and the entire album Blue Neighborhood is really worth checking out.
“New Americana” — Halsey. You may have heard this song on the radio; I believe it made it to the airwaves after the release of Halsey’s album Badlands last year. On the whole, this song is about being different, daring and young in America. One verse refers to a male football player who marries another man. Halsey herself is openly bisexual. Check out her music video for the song “Ghost,” which features Halsey with a female love interest.
“Radio Friendly Pop Song” — Matt Fishel. Ever notice how very few songs that are obviously LGBT+ make it to the radio? Matt Fishel noticed, and in this song he sings about his frustrations as a gay artist who wants his lyrics to be true to his identity in a world that might not buy music that is overtly gay. He also points out the lack of representation in mainstream media as a whole.
“Talking Transgender Dysphoria Blues” — Against Me! This song is all about the experience of being trans, particularly in relation to dysphoria. The singer, Laura Jane Grace, is a trans woman whose lyrics often deal with her identity, transitioning and what it’s all like.
“She Keeps Me Warm” — Mary Lambert. This gorgeous song was sampled in Macklemore’s “Same Love.” It’s about a girl loving another girl, and it’s also about being who you are in the face of a society that wants you to change. Mary Lambert is an out lesbian who often sings about sexuality, body image and other important topics.
“Everyone is Gay” — A Great Big World. A fantastic song to listen to on repeat, “Everyone is Gay” is an uplifting, fun song about accepting yourself and the importance of accepting one another. Group member Chad King came out as gay when AGBW released their song “Hold Each Other” in which King’s lyrics switch the pronouns from “she” to “he.”
I hope you all enjoyed this playlist, but more than that I hope you’ve been inspired to seek out songs by more LGBT+ artists, if you haven’t already. There are so many LGBT+ creators out there, and it’s important that we give them the attention they deserve. I know I’m always open to suggestions!
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