All Things Pride

Pride Month brings lots of emotions. Celebrations, pride parades, and lots of unabashedly queer love. Some community members are not ready to come out, or it's not safe for them to come out. This Pride Playlist is packed with emotions that capture the essence of living as an LGBTQIA+ individual. This month I’m celebrating queer artists and allies that celebrate all aspects of LGBTQIA+ life through sharing my playlist with you!

1. Sara Bareilles- Brave

“Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is”

Sara Bareilles is an outspoken ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. According to Song Facts, this song Brave is about one of her gay friends who struggled with coming out of the closet. Brave is simply about stating your truth no matter how hard it is. Not only does she capture the emotion that goes along with the struggles of coming out, but she also captures the feelings of relief when you finally set yourself free. This song was extremely comforting to me when I came out as Bisexual.

2. Sam Smith and Demi Lovato- I'm Ready

“Its so hard when you’re with someone

Your heart breaks and it ain’t no fun

But I gotta take that risk tonight”

This track is a hot jam! Sam Smith and Demi Lovato both have amazing vocals on this song, and it’s very catchy. These two non-binary artists rock it on this track. It discusses heartbreak and dealing with cheaters and lots of other shitty people, but it also discusses hope for finding a better love.

3. Duncan Laurence and Fletcher- Arcade

“I've spent all of the love I saved

We were always a losing game

Small-town boy in a big arcade

I got addicted to a losing game”

The vocals on this track are not only beautiful, but it truly encapsulates the pain and heartache that goes along with someone who just isn’t feeling the same way as you. You can become addicted to the "losing game." Duncan Laurence and Fletcher beautifully sing about this kind of heartache. Duncan Laurence is a dutch artist is proudly out as Bisexual. Fletcher has said that she identifies as part of the LBGTQIA+ community.

4. Lil Nas X- MONTERO- Call Me by Your Name

"Call me when you want, call me when you need

Call me in the morning, I'll be on the way

Call me when you want, call me when you need

Call me out by your name, I'll be on the way like

Mmm, mmm, mmm

Mmm, mmm, mmm"

Lil Nas X really upped the controversy when he decided to give Satan a lapdance in the video for this song. Lil Nas X had the guts to go where no artist has gone before. For many Queer and Gender Expansive Individuals, people are scrutinized for just being who they are. Gay artist Lil Nas X just gave a big screw you to the haters, and he did it well.

5. Tegan and Sara- Closer

"It's not just all physical

I'm the type who won't get oh so critical

So let's make things physical

I won't treat you like you're oh so typical

I won't treat you like you're oh so typical"

Lesbian twin sisters Tegan and Sara and this catchy bop from 2012 are hard to leave out of this list. I love this song! It makes you just want to dance and maybe make out with somebody?

6. Against Me!- Transgender Dysphoria Blues

"You want them to notice

The ragged ends of your Summer dress

You want them to see you

Like they see every other girl

They just see a faggot

They hold their breath not to catch the sick"

This song powerfully captures what it is like to experience dysphoria. The lead singer of Against Me! Laura Jane Grace came out as a Transgender Woman in 2012. This song is relatable and captures a truth for a lot of Transgender individuals who face higher rates of discrimination than the rest of the community.

7. Adam Lambert- If I Had You

"So I got my boots on, got the right 'mount of leather

And I'm doing me up with a black color liner

And I'm workin' my strut but I know it don't matter

All we need in this world is some love"

This list wouldn't be complete without my favorite Adam Lambert song! Lambert is openly gay and started his own philanthropy called the Feel Something Foundation. This American Idol Winner has several amazing songs, but this one is catchy.

8. Kim Petras- Heart to Break

"Even if it means that I'll never put myself back together

Gonna give you my heart to break

Even if I'll end up in shatters, baby it doesn't matter

Gonna give you my heart to break"

Kim Petras is a Transgender Artist from Germany who has many pop hits. Heart to Break is a fun song about a relationship that started off fun but turned sour in the end. This song is a differently twisted take on relationships that don't quite work out.

9. Brandi Carlile- The Joke

"Let 'em laugh while they can

Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind

I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends

And the joke's on them"

Brandi Carlile's "The Joke" provides a message of hope for those marginalized and struggling that better times are ahead. This powerful song is about resiliency. Carlile is an out lesbian and won two grammy's in 2019 for this song.

10. Superfruit featuring Mary Lambert, Brian Justin Crum, & Mario Jose- Cover of Katy Perry's Rise

"Oh, ye of so little faith

Don't doubt it, don't doubt it

Victory is in my veins

I know it, I know it

And I will not negotiate

I'll fight it, I'll fight it

I will transform"

This is a cover of a Katy Perry song, but this combination of Queer Artists absolutely slay the vocals in this song. Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi of Superfruit and Pentatonix lead on this song. Mario Jose, Brian Justin Crum, and Mary Lambert also are vocal powerhouses. This is a powerful song about resiliency and pushing through and overcoming challenges.

11. Todrick Hall- Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels

"Girl, what did that girl just say, girl?

Girl, I don't dance, I work

I don't play, I slay

I don't walk I strut, strut, strut and then sashay (okay)

I don't work for free

No, that's not the tea, hunty (no ma'am)"

Is there anything Todrick Hall can't do? He absolutely slays in this hit. Todrick Hall can do it all. He can dance, he can sing, and he can definitely rock some heels! Todrick is openly gay, and the rest of his work is spectacular. Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels is about confidence and rocking your look!

12. Ashnikko ft. Princess Nokia- Slumber Party

"Big doe eyes, amazin'

She's everything I've been prayin'

My heart palpitation

She looks like the type to break it"

This song is NSFW. It's a song about women who love women. One lyric is "I just gave your girlfriend cunnilingus on the couch" Ashnikko, who identifies as Bisexual, puts out some bold representation for women who love women, and it is much needed!

13. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Mary Lambert- Same Love

"When I was in church, they taught me something else

If you preach hate at the service Those words aren't anointed

And that Holy Water, that you soak in is then poisoned

When everyone else Is more comfortable remaining voiceless"

This track is an old one but a good one. Allies Macklemore and Ryan Lewis show their support for equal rights, along with Mary Lambert who is an out lesbian. Same Love is about queer love not being any different than any other love. "No Freedom til were equal damn right I support it."

14. Kehlani and Teyana Taylor- Morning

"Got my legs up, hands up, at attention

You make me stand up and switch up on it

Make you head go 'round and 'round

And got me makin' sounds until the morning"

This is another steamy video about women who love women. Kehlani openly identifies as queer. This video is hot and celebrates intimacy between two women.

15. Lady Gaga- Born This Way

"I'm beautiful in my way

'Cause God makes no mistakes

I'm on the right track, baby

I was born this way"

The ultimate queer jam this song is about celebrating who you are! Gaga is openly Bisexual and celebrates all people in the LGBTQIA+ Don't be afraid to be who you are because you were Born This Way!