Elton John
For nearly four decades, Elton John has achieved an amazingly successful track record in the music industry. He was not only the biggest-selling pop superstar of the 1970s, but, more surprisingly, he continues to retain popularity among his fans and respect from music critics. Elton John holds a music industry record for most consecutive singles placed in the Top 40, a string that began in 1970 and was broken only in 2000. Stephen Erlewine has noted that, although Elton John has endured temporary slumps in creativity and sales, he continues to craft contemporary pop standards that showcase his musical versatility. He also sits on the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s Honorary Board. (source: eltonjohn.com)

Eric Himan
Without the help of record labels, booking agents, publicists, or management, Eric Himan is touring to more places, getting great press coverage, and still has time to run his record label, Thumbcrown Records, home to his six studio albums. He just released his newest (selling out of his first shipment before the drop date), Resonate, and has five years of solid touring in the US under his belt. Magazines in the LGBT community took notice right away (The Advocate, OUT Magazine, Instinct) and newspapers (such as the Boston Herald, Pittsburgh-Post Gazette, and Phoenix New Times) interviewed him to find out what makes this work horse stay in the game despite obstacles such as major label artists, rooms that are booked by big agencies, and finding his audience. His music draws comparisons to male artists such as Maroon 5 and John Mayer but also female singer-songwriters, Ani DiFranco and Tracy Chapman.

Indigo Girls
Lesbians Amy Ray and Emily Saliers areIndigo Girls, one of the most successful folk duos in recording history. The Indigo Girls have fiercely loyal fans, many of them lesbians. Both were raised in Atlanta and met in grade school and became friends. They enjoyed writing music and began playing together in Ray's parents' basement. They attended Emory University and played under the names of "B Band" and later "Saliers and Ray." Their pop folk sound resonates well with crowds and is good, easy listening.

Jason & deMarco
With the international release of their album, Till the End of Time, Jason & deMarco became familiar names to music fans around the world. Their first single "Trying to Get to You" climbed the Billboard Charts and their second single, "This is Love" won "Music Video of the Year 2006" on MTV's LOGO. A remix of "This is Love" along with their newest dance release, "It's Okay", both produced by DJ Scotty K, were both added to Abercrombie & Fitch's playlist and have been heard in stores worldwide. Their autobiographical and controversial, documentary-film, We're All Angels, from director Robert Nunez, currently airs on the SHOWTIME NETWORK where fans are invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at the public and private lives of these rising pop stars, who are gay, spiritual, and in love. The film chronicles the lives of the two singers as they perform all over the country in dance clubs, at pride events, and even in churches. The movie takes a look at how their openness about their sexuality often pits them against evangelical Christianity, while their faith at times meets with resistance from the gay community. As Jason & deMarco prepare to release a new album to appeal to a wider mainstream audience, We're All Angels turns the spotlight on how they integrate their sexuality and spirituality within their relationship and professional careers. (source: jasonanddemarco.com)

k.d. lang
Long before she came out as a lesbian in a 1992 interview in the gay newsmagzine The Advocate, and long before she appeared on the 1993 cover of Vanity Fair lounging in male drag in a barber's chair with Cindy Crawford hovering teasingly over her, lesbians had madek.d. lang their own. They were drawn not only by her gender-bending hairstyle and clothes, but also by her achingly beautiful voice and her intensely romantic singing style. A country girl, lang, whose given name is Kathryn Dawn, grew up in the tiny Canadian town of Consort, deep in Alberta's farming territory. She came out as a lesbian while still a teenager and moved to Edmonton. (source: kdlang.com)

Nemesis
is an openly gay pop duo consisting of identical twins Jacob and Josh Miller. Born and raised in Kalispell, Montaina in a strict Jehova’s Witness house, the twins moved to Los Angeles. The record company wanted to market them as an openly gay duo, but that meant coming out to a family who’s church would require them to never communicate again In the end, both are united in their determination to rise up above the rest and make it. Their music is a little bit pop, a little bit rock and roll. Check out one the video for their song #1 in Heaven.

Rufus Wainwright
Affectionately referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet” and praised by The New York Times for his "genuine originality",Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation by carving out his own singular sound. He has released 8 albums and two DVDs to date, as well as appearing on numerous soundtracks and compilations, and collaborating with artists like Elton John, David Byrne, and Teddy Thompson. His complex musical sound have been referred to as “popera” for the intricate layering of multiple instruments and beautiful operatic harmonies.

Sister Funk
Sister Funk is a five piece, all-female, high energy band that is growing a national following. For more than seven years. Sister Funk's good feeling sound has helped them to become so popular. They ladies are still touring, so check them out.

 

Placebo a band from the UK is a wonderful ally of the LGBT community. Lead singer Brian Molko is openly bisexual, and guitarist/bassist Stefan Olsdal is gay. The band has many songs mentioning alternative lifestyles and has been praised for its openness to all listeners. The band is manages to still be accessible to the heterosexual community, and is the perfect example of how a band does not need to choose one audience for their music.

 

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