Queer Artists on the Rise
Graphics by Kylie Adedeji
Finally, we live to see multiple openly queer musicians’ songs charting simultaneously. Between Chappell Roan, Troye Sivan, Billie Eilish, SZA, and more- there are at least thirteen songs by openly queer artists on the Billboard Hot 100 as of right now.
A queer legacy
The rise of openly queer artists has been a long time coming. We view 1970s-1980s chart-toppers like Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and David Bowie as queer icons. Yet, these artists did not feel comfortable coming out as queer until at least a decade after their debuts. Freddie Mercury never officially came out; fans speculated about his sexuality, but it wasn’t until after his death that his bandmates revealed that aspect of his private life. And it should be noted that it is even more difficult to cite chart-topping queer female artists and artists of color from that era, due to the relentless prejudice against those intersectional groups.
The mystery of queerness
It makes sense why openly queer artists are starting to break into the mainstream so consistently. There may be an urge to pay homage to past queer icons by living authentically in a way that they couldn’t. However, it’s still taxing to be out of the closet, especially as a public person with the recent obsession with labeling artists’ identities and just viewing queerness as a spectacle. We’ve seen artists like Billie Eilish get harassed about her sexuality online for the past three years, at least. When Eilish released “LUNCH” earlier this year, it was as if audiences let out a deep breath- they could finally label her as queer. In reality, she does not owe anyone that information. Queerness is not a mystery, it’s a normal, everyday aspect of many people’s lives. Efforts to progress will be set back if audiences are allowed to ogle at and harass queer artists without pushback.
Privacy and push-back
Troye Sivan, who is currently headlining on the SWEAT Tour alongside Charli xcx, posted a TikTok earlier this month calling out a celebrity news source for claiming “[Troye] is just happy to be on the road and hitting Grindr at every stop.” Sivan points out that straight people are becoming “way too comfortable” with casual homophobia and sex-shaming queer celebrities. This is all too true. Again, these are successful musicians with private lives, not your best friends to banter with or freakshows to point and laugh at. Chappell Roan has also been making waves by setting boundaries with fans and paparazzi through releasing a statement on Instagram where she calls for an end to the predatory and invasive behavior she is subjected to. Artists may be vulnerable by opening up about their sexuality or gender identity, but they do not owe anyone their friendship, and they should not have to allow their privacy to be invaded. Queerness and privacy are not mutually exclusive.
Watching queer artists stand their ground against invasive fans and media is insanely refreshing. I will gladly support Chappell Roan yelling back at paparazzi any day. Let queer artists thrive in peace!