14 Male Allies To The LGBTQ Community

14 Male Allies To The LGBTQ Community

The music community is among the most vocal in speaking out for the rights of LGBTQ people, but we mostly see that from our pop singers like Madonna, Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera — gay men make up a large part of their core fan base, after all.

There are, however, a good number of straight male artists who are vocal about their support of the community. From The Chainsmokers sounding off against Trump’s transgender military ban to JAY-Z praising his mom’s lesbian identity in a song on his latest album, we’ve put together a list of the male artists who have stood with the LGBTQ community.   

Dan Reynolds, Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds has said, "to be gay is beautiful and right and perfect." He's received letters from gay fans since 2012 when the band's song "It's Time" was featured in an episode of Glee when Blaine sings it to boyfriend Kurt. Reynolds also launched the LoveLoud festival this year in Utah, which gathers a lineup of artists and speakers to address the state’s leading cause of death among LGBTQ youth: suicide. Reynolds will also address this issue in the Sundance-bound documentary Believer.

Martin Garrix

As part of Pride Month, Billboard reached out to musicians to write their love letters to the LGBTQ community, and Martin Garrix was among those sharing his love and support. "Whenever I'm on stage, it makes me so happy to see all these different people in the crowd having fun together," he says. On top of that, he recently collaborated with out artist Troye Sivan on the hit single “There For You.”

Jay-Z

Among the highlights of Jay-Z's critically acclaimed and Grammy-nominated album 4:44 was the song "Smile" which explicitly addresses his mother's newfound sexuality. "We never spoke about [her being gay]," he later explained. "Until, like, recently, now we start having these beautiful conversations, and just really getting to know each other."

Harry Styles

At his tour opener in San Francisco, Harry Styles draped a rainbow flag over his mic stand and also waved the flag around later in the show. This also doesn't mark the first time the singer has incorporated LGBTQ sentiment into his live performances: he also wore the LGBTQ symbol as a cape during a One Direction show in 2015.

Zayn

In an interview with Paper magazine, the 1D-gone-solo heartthrob said, “If girls find me attractive, then that’s a cool thing. If guys find me attractive, then that’s a cool thing as well. It’s sick. It’s a compliment. I’m blessed by whoever was up there to be who I am and be able to do what I do. I genuinely mean that.”

Nick Jonas

A lot of accusations have been thrown at Nick Jonas for gay-baiting; however, there is no denying him as an advocate to the community. From playing gay characters on the small screen in both Scream Queens and Kingdom, to speaking out against the North Carolina bathroom bill and performing at a London gay bar opposite drag queens, Jonas is a solid ally.

Lil Yachty

Last April, the Atlanta rapper released the cover art for his album, Teenage Emotions. The photograph features a young, gay couple kissing, as well as the rapper himself sporting a rainbow-colored grill. He took to Instagram Live to explain the cover, stating, “If you have vitiligo or if you’re gay or whatever it is, embrace yourself. Love yourself. Be happy, positive.”

A$AP Rocky

In 2013 in an interview, the rapper sounded off about the need for hip-hop to further evolve its acceptance of diversity. “For instance, one big issue in hip-hop is the gay thing. It’s 2013, and it’s a shame that, to this day, that topic still gets people all excited. It’s crazy.” He also told 93.9 WKYS radio, "I respect men more for coming out," specifically noting out R&B artist Frank Ocean.

Garth Brooks

In 1993 the country singer won a GLAAD Award for his song “We Shall Be Free,” and performed alongside George Michael at an Equality Rocks concert in 2000. He credits his late sister, who was a lesbian, on why he chooses to speak out for LGBTQ equality.

Childish Gambino

Donald Glover has always strived to go against rap stereotypes from his 2011 debut album Camp to his Emmy-winning comedy Atlanta — and this includes views of homosexuality in black male culture. In an interview, he’s said, “Black men struggle with masculinity so much. The idea that we must always be strong really presses us all down – it keeps us from growing.” He was also among those defending Macklemore’s song “Same Love” upon its release: “You can say what you want about Macklemore, but he stands for shit. That’s what made him huge."

Weird Al Yankovich

The funnyman was among those voicing disapproval of North Carolina’s anti-trans bathroom law last year. He decided to honor his Greensboro tour date but donated his personal fee to the Human Rights Campaign. Back in 2013, he donated all proceeds from sales of his Lady Gaga parody “Perform this Way” to the same organization.

Moby

Moby has been a guest on RuPaul’s Drag Race — and when it comes to his sexuality, it seems he has a bit of FOMO. In an interview with The Guardian, he said, “I grew up going to gay clubs and used to envy the way my gay friends were able to date. I’ve kissed men, but I accepted I’m just a run-of-the-mill, cisgender, heterosexual male.”

Macklemore

Ever since the mega-hit “Same Love” from 2012, the rapper had landed himself his very own LGBTQ-anthem. And still today it’s identified as such. In October, shortly before Australia’s historic legalization of gay marriage, Macklemore politicized his appearance at the pregame of the National Rugby League Grand Final by performing “Same Love.” A petition circulated to boycott the performance, garnering 18,000 signatures, but the National Rugby League ignored the pressure to cancel the appearance.

The Chainsmokers

Frequent chart-toppers The Chainsmokers just recently appeared, alongside pop singers such as Demi Lovato and Britney Spears, in a music video from Brazilian singer/songwriter Yann for a song called "Igual," addressing violence against LGBTQ people in Brazil. Previously they appeared in a video created in a partnership between Billboard and GLAAD coming out against President Trump's transgender military ban.

More LGBTQ Icons & Allies: Ariana Grande | Lady Gaga | Madonna | Miley Cyrus | Lana Del Rey | Rihanna | Beyoncé | Kelly Clarkson | Fifth Harmony | Katy Perry | P!nk | Diana Ross