LGBTQ Country & Western Singers
The Country & Western music genre is historically considered a right wing, conservative branch of music that shuns any notion of same-sex attraction, both in terms of its lyrical content and the recognition accorded its LGBTQ singers/songwriters. Over the last few years, however, there has been a growing presence of prominent and successful LGBTQ artists appearing on the scene. In addition, a strong group of allies within the entertainment community has stood up for LGBTQ equality within the profession.
Early entrants to the Country & Western music scene who came out as LGBTQ had a rough time of it. Marsha Stevens was shunned by her community when she divorced her husband and came out as lesbian. She subsequently went on to create the support group BALM (Born Again Lesbian Ministry) and achieved popularity within the Metropolitan Community Church with her singing and songwriting. Singer Sid Spencer, a popular entertainer in the rodeo circuit in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and who included same-sex lyrics in his songs, succumbed to AIDS at an early age.
Country music legend's Patrick Haggerty's first album 'Lavender Country' (1973) is considered the first openly-gay country music album.
Success stories in this musical genre soon followed. Notable among these is renowned four-time Grammy-winning singer KD Lang (1989, 1990, 1993, and 2004). She was closely followed by Chely Wright, the 1995 Top New Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. Indie artist Steve Grand has achieved a huge following from his self-financed YouTube release 'All American Boy' (with over 4 million views to date). Most recently, gay Shane McAnally was named 2014 Songwriter of the Year at the Country Music Awards.
We have identified the following LGBTQ Country & Western artists. Read their biographies for fascinating stories about their careers, including links to video clips of their performances:
Canada
United States
- Cody Alan
- Wilma Burgess
- Brandi Carlile
- Brandy Clark
- Billy Gilman
- Steve Grand
- Sami Grisafe
- Patrick Haggerty
- Cameron Hawthorn
- Ty Herndon
- Julianne Hough
- Shane McAnally
- T.J. Osborne
- Maia Sharp
- Sid Spencer
- Brandon Stansell
- Marsha Stevens
- Donnie Lee Strickland
- Mark Weigle
- Chely Wright
See Also
- Transgender Singers, Musicians and Composers
- LGBTQ Rock Musicians
- LGBTQ Classical Music Composers
- Boy Band Members Who Are Out As Gay, Bisexual or Queer
- LGBTQ Folk Music Singers
- LGBTQ Opera Singers
- Christian Singers Who Identify as LGBTQ
- Electronic and Synthetic Music Performers Who Identify as LGBTQ
- Celebrated LGBTQ Pianists
- Rhythm & Blues and the LGBTQ Community
- Creative LGBTQ Management of Symphony Orchestras
Further Reading/Research
- http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/why-2014-was-a-breakthrough-year-for-countrys-lgbt-community-20141229
- http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/music/2015/03/18/lgbt-earthquake-happening-country-music
- http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/apr/10/country-music-gay-stars-kicking-closet-door-lavender-country
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/gay-country-music/
