80s gay singers

Hallelujah, indeed! 

Fun Fact: Watching this video instantly makes you gay, gay, gay!

Culture Club, “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” (1982) 

Bless my Aunt Maryellen’s heart, upon seeing this video on MTV for the first time she gasped, “Looks like he should be called Girl George.” Someone was quipping to be clever. 

I have very fond recollections of Boy George skipping around the pool setting everyone’s nerves on edge…was he a man, a woman?

I mean, I would have.

Fun Fact: Sir Elton met Renate Blauel  while recording his 1983 comeback album Too Low for Zero, on which “I’m Still Standing” was featured and they married the following year while he was on tour in Australia. 

Madonna, “Burning Up” (1983)

This was a difficult choice!

His 2012 Tumblr letter opened a new chapter in Black queer expression.

Freddie Mercury
The legendary Queen frontman lived boldly in his music and performances. He supported numerous charities and organizations focused on LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS research, using his fame and fortune to make a difference. Her message of love and acceptance, combined with her generous spirit, continues to inspire and uplift people around the world, encouraging them to embrace their true selves and advocate for equality.

17.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled article. 

Depeche Mode, “People Are People” (1984) 

In terms of being a gay video, Depeche Mode’s “People are People” is a lyrical call to arms that different people (gasp!) have different needs. His alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, introduced audiences to a character that defied traditional gender roles, blending masculine and feminine traits in a way that had never been seen before.

His bold queerness in country, pop, and hip-hop is nothing short of revolutionary.

Linda Perry
As the voice behind 4 Non Blondes and a prolific songwriter, Linda Perry has lived openly and loudly.

Her bold fashion choices and striking visuals in music videos like "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Here Comes the Rain Again" made her a standout figure in the music industry, earning her a place as a style icon and LGBTQ+ ally.

In addition to her impact on fashion and music, Lennox has been deeply committed to advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness.

Her ability to blend humor with advocacy has made her a beloved figure, inspiring many to embrace their true selves and fight for a more inclusive society.

11. But this is vintage Madonna, when she sported crucifix earrings and appears to have snatched up every rubber bracelet she could find at Merry-Go-Round in the greater Los Angeles area (remember that store?).

And for pure, unabashed sexuality there was nothing hotter than Ms.

Ciccone rolling around on asphalt; pre-dating similar moves during her infamous MTV Video Music Awards appearance by a year. Divine's unique blend of humor, shock value, and genuine talent captivated audiences and challenged societal norms.

In the 80s, drag was still largely underground, and Divine's mainstream success was groundbreaking.

Instead of retreating from the public eye, Michael embraced his identity and used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness. And that was his own doing. With no less than two motorcycles for The Cop and The Leather Man, a jeep for The Army Man and what looks to be a mini-John Deere tractor for The Construction Worker.

Is it the dolphin shorts that George Michael and the short shorts that “the other guy in Wham!” (AKA Andrew Ridgeley) wear? His unrelenting passion and willingness to speak truth to power inspired countless activists and brought critical attention to the AIDS crisis.

Larry Kramer's legacy as an activist playwright and LGBTQ+ warrior is monumental.

Her fearless advocacy and unwavering support have left an indelible mark on the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, inspiring generations to embrace their true selves and advocate for equality.

3. It doesn’t appear they had the money for film, given the realllly bad effects. In the 80s, the stigma surrounding homosexuality was still pervasive, and many celebrities feared the potential backlash to their careers.

In his New York City hotel room, he musically extols the virtues of nightlife. 

There’s a woman in the adjoining hotel room, who looks like she’d be extremely comfortable on the set of Dynasty, making her way “into the night, into the light.” Meanwhile, a woman on the housekeeping staff gets all Single White Female about said woman’s wardrobe and fantasizes that she’s ready for a night out on the town, too. 

Fun Fact: Jackson, who later came out as bisexual in 2001, played his first paying gig at age 16, as a pianist in a pub next door to a glue factory just outside of Portsmouth, England.

The Waitresses, “I Know What Boys Like” (1982)

Patty Donahue (no relation to Phil) laid it all out on the checkered tablecloth with this song.

Through his music, foundation, and activism, he remains one of the most influential figures in queer history.

Ezra Furman
A gender-nonconforming indie rocker, Ezra Furman brings raw storytelling to her songs. He came out in the ’90s and has since become an advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in rock.

Boy George
As the face of Culture Club, Boy George brought androgyny, flamboyance, and queerness to MTV screens in the 1980s.

Her presence helps normalize LGBTQIA+ voices in the indie rock scene.

Cyndi Lauper
A fierce ally and activist, Cyndi Lauper has always stood with the LGBTQIA+ community. With hits like "The Rose" and "Wind Beneath My Wings," Midler’s music often carried themes of love and resilience, resonating deeply with LGBTQ+ audiences.

Throughout the 80s, Midler was an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and a dedicated AIDS activist.

His openness about his sexuality at a time when such topics were often taboo helped to normalize LGBTQ+ identities and provided visibility for the community.

Bowie’s work extended beyond music and fashion into acting, where he continued to take on roles that defied conventional norms.