Our very own Dr Catherine Butler (LGBTQ+ inclusion lead) has put together a hit filled playlist for LGBT+ History Month 2026!
Covering the last 100 years, Catherine has curated a queer playlist for the ages. Read the full list below with her notes on each song and why it was included.
Access the Spotify playlist here, and add to your rotation now!
2020s
Chappell Roan — Good Luck, Babe! (2024)
A modern lesbian pop anthem that flips heartbreak into self-realization, emblematic of Gen Z’s unapologetic queerness.
A modern lesbian pop anthem that flips heartbreak into self-realization, emblematic of Gen Z’s unapologetic queerness.
Troye Sivan — Rush (2023)
A sweaty, ecstatic celebration of queer nightlife and desire, marking a new era of openly gay male pop stardom.
A sweaty, ecstatic celebration of queer nightlife and desire, marking a new era of openly gay male pop stardom.
boygenius — Not Strong Enough (2023)
An indie rock supergroup of openly queer women confronting vulnerability and identity without metaphor.
An indie rock supergroup of openly queer women confronting vulnerability and identity without metaphor.
Victoria Monét — On My Mama (2023)
A confident R&B hit from a bisexual artist celebrating self-worth and bodily autonomy.
A confident R&B hit from a bisexual artist celebrating self-worth and bodily autonomy.
Janelle Monáe — Float (2022)
A genre-fluid declaration of freedom from a pansexual, nonbinary icon of Afrofuturism.
A genre-fluid declaration of freedom from a pansexual, nonbinary icon of Afrofuturism.
MUNA — Silk Chiffon (2021)
Joyful, explicitly lesbian pop that reclaims softness and happiness as radical acts.
Joyful, explicitly lesbian pop that reclaims softness and happiness as radical acts.
Lil Nas X — MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) (2021)
A watershed moment for queer Black masculinity in mainstream hip-hop.
A watershed moment for queer Black masculinity in mainstream hip-hop.
2010s
Sam Smith — Diamonds (2020)
A sleek pop reset following Smith’s public coming-out as nonbinary.
A sleek pop reset following Smith’s public coming-out as nonbinary.
Halsey — You Should Be Sad (2020)
A bisexual artist blending country-pop aesthetics with queer emotional honesty.
A bisexual artist blending country-pop aesthetics with queer emotional honesty.
Christine and the Queens — Girlfriend (2018)
A study in gender, desire, and power from a nonbinary French pop auteur.
A study in gender, desire, and power from a nonbinary French pop auteur.
Kim Petras — Heart to Break (2018)
One of the first trans women to top global pop charts with unapologetic dance-pop.
One of the first trans women to top global pop charts with unapologetic dance-pop.
SOPHIE — Ponyboy (2017)
A revolutionary trans electronic track that permanently reshaped pop and club music.
A revolutionary trans electronic track that permanently reshaped pop and club music.
Frank Ocean — Nikes (2016)
A subtle, poetic meditation on queer love and fame from one of the most influential artists of his generation.
A subtle, poetic meditation on queer love and fame from one of the most influential artists of his generation.
St. Vincent — Digital Witness (2014)
A sharp art-rock critique of media and identity from an openly queer innovator.
A sharp art-rock critique of media and identity from an openly queer innovator.
Tegan and Sara — Closer (2012)
A breakthrough moment for openly lesbian artists in mainstream synth-pop.
A breakthrough moment for openly lesbian artists in mainstream synth-pop.
Robyn — Dancing On My Own (2010)
A queer club classic that transformed loneliness into communal catharsis.
A queer club classic that transformed loneliness into communal catharsis.
2000s–1990s
Scissor Sisters — I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ (2006)
Camp disco revival led by an openly gay frontman, reclaiming queer joy in pop.
Camp disco revival led by an openly gay frontman, reclaiming queer joy in pop.
George Michael — Outside (1998)
A defiant, humorous response to being forcibly outed — and a landmark gay pop moment.
A defiant, humorous response to being forcibly outed — and a landmark gay pop moment.
Rufus Wainwright — April Fools (1998)
A lush, literate introduction to one of the first openly gay singer-songwriters embraced by classical and pop audiences.
A lush, literate introduction to one of the first openly gay singer-songwriters embraced by classical and pop audiences.
Melissa Etheridge — Come to My Window (1993)
A quiet but powerful anthem that accompanied one of the most important coming-outs of the 1990s.
k.d. lang — Constant Craving (1992)
A restrained, aching ballad that redefined lesbian visibility in adult contemporary music.
A restrained, aching ballad that redefined lesbian visibility in adult contemporary music.
Indigo Girls — Closer to Fine (1989)
A folk-rock classic rooted in lesbian partnership, spirituality, and self-acceptance.
A folk-rock classic rooted in lesbian partnership, spirituality, and self-acceptance.
1980s
Erasure — A Little Respect (1988)
Synth-pop romance sung unapologetically by an openly gay frontman.
Synth-pop romance sung unapologetically by an openly gay frontman.
Pet Shop Boys — Always on My Mind (1987)
Queer emotional restraint meets high-concept pop from one of Britain’s most influential duos.
Queer emotional restraint meets high-concept pop from one of Britain’s most influential duos.
Bronski Beat — Smalltown Boy (1984)
One of the first pop songs to directly address homophobia and gay exile.
One of the first pop songs to directly address homophobia and gay exile.
Dead or Alive — You Spin Me Round (1984)
Gender-bending pop excess fronted by the defiantly queer Pete Burns.
Gender-bending pop excess fronted by the defiantly queer Pete Burns.
Culture Club — Do You Really Want to Hurt Me (1982)
Mainstream success built on androgyny and queer ambiguity during a conservative era.
Mainstream success built on androgyny and queer ambiguity during a conservative era.
Soft Cell — Tainted Love (1981)
A cold, synthetic reinvention of love and alienation by an openly gay vocalist.
A cold, synthetic reinvention of love and alienation by an openly gay vocalist.
1970s
Sylvester — You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (1978)
A disco gospel of queer liberation from a gender-nonconforming icon.
A disco gospel of queer liberation from a gender-nonconforming icon.
Village People — Y.M.C.A. (1978)
A coded gay anthem that crossed fully into global pop culture.
A coded gay anthem that crossed fully into global pop culture.
Tom Robinson Band — Glad to Be Gay (1978)
The first openly gay protest song to enter the UK charts.
The first openly gay protest song to enter the UK charts.
Queen — Killer Queen (1974)
Freddie Mercury’s camp elegance and sexual ambiguity go mainstream.
Freddie Mercury’s camp elegance and sexual ambiguity go mainstream.
David Bowie — John, I’m Only Dancing (1972)
An openly queer moment from Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era.
An openly queer moment from Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era.
Lou Reed — Walk on the Wild Side (1972)
A rare early pop narrative centered on trans women and queer nightlife.
A rare early pop narrative centered on trans women and queer nightlife.
Elton John — Someone Saved My Life Tonight (1975)
A deeply personal song written before his public coming-out, later reclaimed in queer history.
A deeply personal song written before his public coming-out, later reclaimed in queer history.
1960s–1920s
Dusty Springfield — Son of a Preacher Man (1968)
A closeted lesbian icon whose emotional delivery reshaped pop soul.
A closeted lesbian icon whose emotional delivery reshaped pop soul.
Lesley Gore — You Don’t Own Me (1963)
Later reclaimed as a feminist and lesbian anthem.
Later reclaimed as a feminist and lesbian anthem.
Little Richard — Tutti Frutti (1955)
Rock ’n’ roll’s queer origin point — originally filled with explicit gay slang.
Rock ’n’ roll’s queer origin point — originally filled with explicit gay slang.
Billy Strayhorn — Take the “A” Train (1941)
Written by an openly gay Black composer at the heart of jazz modernism.
Written by an openly gay Black composer at the heart of jazz modernism.
Noël Coward — Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1941)
A master of coded wit whose queerness was widely known but rarely spoken.
A master of coded wit whose queerness was widely known but rarely spoken.
Ma Rainey — Prove It On Me Blues (1928)
One of the earliest recorded queer songs, explicitly referencing same-sex desire.
One of the earliest recorded queer songs, explicitly referencing same-sex desire.
Bonus tracks!
Frankie Goes to Hollywood – “Relax” (1983): With its overtly queer lyrics, imagery, and unapologetic embrace of gay sexuality during the AIDS-era backlash, “Relax” became a bold act of visibility and defiance for the LGBTQ+ community.
Ani DiFranco – “Superhero” (1999): As an openly bisexual, fiercely independent artist, Ani DiFranco used “Superhero” to celebrate self-definition and resistance to norms, resonating deeply with queer listeners navigating identity and autonomy.
Lady Gaga – “Born This Way” (2011): Explicitly affirming queer identities by name and message, “Born This Way” became a global LGBTQ+ anthem that framed queerness as something innate, worthy, and joyful.
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