9 most impactful LGBTQIA+ albums of the 2010s -

The 2010s have marked a significant time for LGBTQIA+ rights in the United States. With marriage equality now legal across all 50 states, an increase in overall acceptance and RuPaul winning an Emmy for his drag queen-focused reality show, the community has come a long way since the birth of its movement. Pop culture and the internet continue to be at the forefront of this progress ⎯⎯ thanks to artists with huge platforms advocating for the rights and equality of those in the LGBTQIA+ community. As we close out the decade, let’s have a look at the albums that have been the soundtrack to our movement.

Robyn – Body Talk (2010)

Synth-pop artist Robyn first rose to prominence in the late 1990s, thanks to hits like “Show Me Love” and “Do You Know (What It Takes).” However, when she released her forward-thinking record Body Talk in November of 2010, no one expected that a two-hit wonder from Sweden would be behind such an innovative sound. Lead single and standout track “Dancing on My Own” has been adopted by the LGBTQIA+ community as a gay anthem, largely due to its bright, synth-driven production juxtaposed with the heartfelt lyrics that ring “I’m right over here, why can’t you see me? I’m giving it my all.” Robyn is singing about an unreciprocated love in the song but for LGBTQIA+ folk, the lyrics have taken on a meaning of being unseen and unacknowledged in a world where they are considered second-class citizens. All that’s left to do is to dance, even if you feel alone. Robyn does not identify as queer herself but has spoken to Out Magazine about constantly being mistaken for a lesbian woman and comments that it makes sense for queer people to identify with the song since the message is about “outsidership.” This record remains a favorite among gay dance clubs and a sonic vortex for LGBTQIA+ people to embark on when they have a reality needing escape from.

Lady Gaga – Born This Way (2011)

Lady Gaga has always been an ally of the community, but with 2011’s Born This Way, she made it her mission statement. The title track was the lead single, and with such prolific lyrics as “No matter gay, straight, or bi / Lesbian, transgender life,” it quickly hit No. 1 on the charts and was the most popular gay anthem since Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” or maybe even Diana Ross’ “I’m Comin Out.” What’s most admirable is that Gaga refrained from using a metaphor to refer to her LGBTQIA+ fans; instead, she directly approached the subject and let it be known that the record was made explicitly for us. The phrase “Born This Way” has become synonymous with the LGBTQIA+ movement, and it can be seen displayed in gay spaces and pride festivals all over the world. The rest of the album explores similar themes such as empowerment, self-expression and a refusal to conform to society’s constructs. In addition to the title track, rallying songs like “Hair,” “Americano” and “Bad Kids” cemented the album as a staple in pop culture history.

Frank Ocean – Channel Orange (2012)

For many years, the hip-hop and R&B communities have been criticized for being homophobic and promoting hyper-masculinity. When Frank Ocean released his critically-acclaimed album Channel Orange back in 2012, speculations about his sexuality arose due to the lyrical nature in songs such as “Forrest Gump” and “Pink Matter.” In that same year, he put the rumors to rest with a letter citing that he has been in a relationship with a man. Rappers including Tyler the Creator showed support for Frank and thanked him for his bravery. Tyler expressed his support to MTV News, sharing, “Proud of [him] cause I know that [it] is difficult.” Hip-Hop music executive and Def Jam Records CEO Russell Simmons wrote that it was a “big day for hip-hop.” Additionally, writer Terrance Dean, who penned the book Hiding in Hip-Hop: On the Downlow in the Entertainment, resurfaced the themes he explores in his book about homosexuality in the hip-hop community and praised Ocean in an open letter for coming out, citing that an unwritten rule in the hip-hop world is “don’t you come out or it will ruin your career.” It is safe to say that this marked a new beginning for LGBTQIA+ representation in the hip-hop community, and we have Frank Ocean to thank for that.

Tegan & Sara – Heartthrob (2013)

The lesbian-identifying duo has been releasing music for almost two decades now. Therefore, it should be a surprise to no one to see sisters Tegan & Sara on this list. Heartthrob serves as their seventh studio album and the first to be released in the 2010s decade. On the record, we see the Quin sisters make a full transition from indie to power pop without compromising their ability for honest songwriting. Sara stated that the duo “wanted to do something fresh and new” in an interview for The Guardian. This change resulted with the group’s biggest hit to date, “Closer,” a romantic song that, while as catchy and repetitive as any major Top 40 hit, examines romance in a cute and innocent way that doesn’t exclude anyone from being able to relate to it. The sugary song was accompanied by a music video showcasing relationships of all different orientations displaying love and affection, a huge success for LGBTQIA+ representation. As you listen through the album, remember that although the musical themes in the songs are not exclusively for the gay community, they were written from the points of view of two queer women.

Sam Smith – In The Lonely Hour (2014)

Sam Smith made LGBTQIA+ history when he dropped his debut album, In The Lonely Hour, back in 2014. He made his initial Top 40 appearances by featuring on such collaborative songs as Disclosure’s “Latch” and Naughty Boy’s “La La La,” which were widely successful songs, internationally. By the time, his debut single “Stay With Me” was released, his voice was dominating the airwaves. His major label debut sold four million copies during its release year and was incredibly well-received by critics. largely in part to Smith’s powerful vocal ability and vulnerable songwriting. During the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, he won four awards, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year, became the first openly gay person to win the award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Since then, he has gone on to sell even more records and perform to sold-out crowds worldwide, putting him in the ranks of Elton John and Freddie Mercury as one of the most successful gay men in music. While Sam initially claimed he didn’t want to be a “gay spokesperson,” which drew backlash from the community. He now says that while it’s hard to be a public figure, he wants to figure out the right things to say so that he can use his platform for good. We’ve got your back!

Against Me! – Transgender Dysphoria Blues (2014)

Punk-rock music was born out of a desire to rebel against the pressures of conforming to society. Its main goal is to work against the grain of everything that is mainstream and speak out against social constraints. So, when Against Me! lead singer Laura Jane Grace came out as trans, what could have been more punk-rock than that? Grace made the announcement in May 2012, after she was inspired by a fan encounter. Fueled by the trials and tribulations of her transition, she and the band released Transgender Dysphoria Blues, where she discusses the gender dysphoria that plagued her since childhood, as well as what her experience has been transitioning in the public eye. Upon release, the album was lauded by critics, and many of her contemporaries stood up in solidarity. The support from such rock veterans as Fat Mike from NOFX, Brian Fallon from The Gaslight Anthem and Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park let LGBTQIA+ youth in the punk community know that they were safe and loved by their icons. In addition, they now had an LGBTQIA+ role model of their own, someone who understood the hardship of coming out, as well as the backlash that she’d receive and bravely stood in front of the whole world to share her truth.

Troye Sivan – Blue Neighbourhood (2015)

Australian blogger-turned-pop star Troye Sivan released his debut album Blue Neighbourhood to the thrill of many of his young, Youtube-obsessed fans. Thanks to his millions of views and sold-out shows across the world, Sivan became an LGBTQIA+ teen heartthrob in his own right, managing to make the cover of magazines like Teen Vogue, Out and Rolling Stone. His music exposed young people to themes in the gay community. In the song “Heaven,” he sings, unapologetically, “without losing a piece of me, how do I get to heaven?” ⎯⎯ referring to the plight LGBTQIA+ youth deal with daily when comparing their feelings to their religion. Additionally, his music videos show other young men as his love interests and don’t steer clear of representing him in an honest way. To have a young gay man make such an impact in the teen world and sharing the success of artists like Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas, and Jesse McCartney during their teenage years is a huge win. Gay teens could buy a magazine catered to their age group and see someone that looked like them, who could talk about the same issues they experienced and even have someone to crush on.

Halsey – hopeless fountain kingdom (2017)

As stated at the beginning of the list, the LGBTQIA+ community has made major progress since the beginning of our fight for equality. The next step is for us to normalize our place in society, which is what Halsey has managed to do so well with her most recent album, hopeless fountain kingdom. Pairing up with Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui, the two used their Top 40 platform to create and release “Strangers,” a song about two girls in a sinking relationship singing back-and-forth lyrics like “she doesn’t kiss me on the mouth anymore ‘cause it’s more intimate than she thinks we should get.” In her most recent single, “Bad at Love,” Halsey recounts failed relationships with both men and women as she muses: “Got a girl with California eyes, and I thought she could really be the one this time.” Halsey is a proud bisexual woman and does not shy away from sharing her experiences through the use of “he” or “she” pronouns. And although critics may claim that she does that in efforts to be edgy, the power of what she’s doing cannot be denied. A girl talking about her experiences with another girl being played in Top 40 radio stations across the world is a huge signal of progress, and it will only continue to get better from here. Keep being you, Halsey.

Hayley Kiyoko – Expectations (2018)

Referred to by her fans as “lesbian Jesus,” Hayley Kiyoko is unabashedly committed to destroying heteronormative narratives in pop and being a queer lighthouse for the thousands of LGBTQIA+ youth that look to her for relatability and admiration. Her nearly cult-like following started when she released “Girls Like Girls” back in 2015, a video that has reached over 85 million views thus far and serves as a clear indication that this is the content the queer youth of today is desperately looking for. On her major label debut, Kiyoko continues what she started on “Girls Like Girls” and holds nothing back about her experiences in love as a gay woman. Expectations is a landmark moment for lesbian women in mainstream music, and she helps pave the way to directly confront these issues and situations by using gender-specific pronouns and ensuring her visuals feature female love interests. Kiyoko even pairs up with fellow lesbian artist Kehlani for a powerhouse duet on the album. As expected, Kiyoko has faced criticism for putting her queerness at the forefront of everything she does but she’s clapped back by noting that artists who showcase their heterosexuality in their work don’t face criticism by the media and has received support from artists including Taylor Swift for her statements against the naysayers. Years from now, this album will be looked at as a blueprint and game changer.

Part of the progress that the LGBTQIA+ movement has made is that we are able to compile a list that contains queer-identifying artists from top to bottom, artists who have paved the way for the next generation of LGBTQIA+ talent while leveling the playing field for gay and straight representation in the mainstream. Be an active part of the progress you want to see in the world and continue to support LGBTQIA+ art so that no one has to compromise their identity for success.

Which is your favorite record on this list? Let us know in the comments below.