Exploring LGBTQ+ Voices In Country Music: A Rich Tapestry Of Songs And Stories

Lavender Country, led by its frontman Patrick Haggerty, is one of the best-known pioneers of LGBTQ+ country. Haggerty remained a passionate anti-racism and gay rights activist until his death in 2022. His music continues to be a groundbreaking force for openly gay country artists, with the Lavender Country track "Come Out Singing" being the oldest song on this list, clocking in at a 1973 release date.

A LGBTQ+ perspective in country music has always been out there, but it’s slowly starting to become less stigmatized, with help from openly gay mainstream stars like Chely Wright, Brothers Osborne's T.J. Osborne, Brandi Carlile, and Ty Herndon. Meanwhile, a new generation of stars like Lily Rose and Brooke Eden are continuing to expand the footprint of queer country music, offering an increasing variety of perspectives and experiences to better relate to an LGBTQ+ audience.

Scroll through the list below for a sample of songs that speak to an LGBTQ+ perspective, as sung and written by artists sharing their real-life experiences. LGBTQ+ artists have achieved more visibility in recent years, but they still make up an under-heard, marginalized portion of the genre as a whole. As stigmas lessen and activists work for equality in the genre and beyond, more and more artists are putting out songs that speak specifically to an LGBTQ+ perspective.