Gay 80s singers

It's worth noting that RuPaul's rise to fame was not just about being a drag queen.

Warhol, known for his iconic pop-art and avant-garde movement, was openly gay at a time when it was exceedingly rare and risky to be so. She stood out not only for her innovative music and bold image, but also for her staunch support for LGBTQ+ rights. Best known for his drag performances, Divine became an iconic figure within the queer community and beyond, breaking boundaries and challenging the status quo.

6. He was, indeed, a queer icon of the 1980s. Joan Jett

When it comes to the greatest female musicians of all time, Joan Jett is definitely on the list. 

Her impact on the rock music genre is huge, especially because of the work she did with the Blackhearts.

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts are best known for their rendition of the song “I Love Rock ‘n Roll.”

Although Joan Jett never made a statement regarding her sexuality, she is often associated with LGBT community, and she was known to be involved with women.

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Her fearless authenticity and boundary-pushing artistry have made her a beloved figure in the community.

10. His flamboyant stage presence and powerful vocals made him a queer icon, even though he was relatively private about his sexuality. Madonna 

Madonna, also known as "Queen of Pop" herself, rose to fame in the early 1980s and became a significant figure in pop culture.

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7. Rather, it was his ability to use drag as a medium to challenge societal norms and expectations about gender and sexuality. He played characters that were outrageous, flamboyant, and unapologetically queer, thus championing the LGBTQ+ cause through his work. Richard O’Brien 

Richard O’Brien is best known for writing the musical stage show The Rocky Horror Show in 1973.

He also co-wrote the screenplay for the Rocky Horror Show film adaptation, and the movie got a surprisingly large cult following.

All in all, Richard O’Brien had a successful career, but he is also known to the public for identifying as third gender.

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We've got plenty more where that came from! Stephen Gately

Stephen Gately was a co-lead singer of the Irish pop group Boyzone.

Gately came out in 1999, and that was a bold move considering Ireland’s conservative attitudes towards LGBTQ people.

But he came out as gay nevertheless, which made him one of the most influential gay pop singers of his era.

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9. These were not superficial actions, but genuine recognitions of the queer community, making her one of the first mainstream artists to do this.

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4. Andy Warhol (1928-1987)

As a bonus, it would be remiss of us not to mention the indomitable Andy Warhol.

Michael Stipe

Known as the lead singer of R.E.M, Michael Stipe has one of the most recognizable voices in the music industry.

He inspired many other successful artists, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. 

In one of the interviews, Stipe described himself as a ‘queer artist’, although he previously didn’t want to label himself gay or straight. 

He lives with his long-term partner, the photographer Thomas Dozol.

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These individuals, through their actions, talents, and unabashed pride, have shaped the queer narrative in the 1980s and beyond.