Pride flags are more than just colorful banners waving in the breeze in June as we march along the streets to be seen and heard. They're symbols of identity, resilience, and the vibrant diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community. Each flag, with its unique combination of colors and patterns, represents a specific group within the spectrum, from the iconic rainbow flag that encompasses us all to more nuanced variations representing lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and countless other identities. These flags have become rallying points for visibility, acceptance, and the ongoing fight for equality.
But Pride isn't just about waving flags; it's about expressing our authentic selves through every creative outlet available. And for many in the community, music has always been a powerful tool to do just that. Songs can capture the joy of love, the pain of discrimination, the thrill of coming out, and the unwavering spirit of our fight for freedom.
So, we've scoured the internet for you to find the best songs that celebrate and represent the myriad identities within the LGBTQIA+ community. We all have different tastes in music, so we've carefully selected tracks either penned or performed by LGBTQ+ artists and beloved allies whose lyrics, we feel, resonate with the community.
Lesbian Pride
Lesbian Pride is represented by several flags, most commonly the lipstick lesbian flag featuring shades of pink, orange, and white, or the sunset lesbian flag with its fiery gradient of oranges, reds, and pinks. Each embodies the spectrum of lesbian identity and experiences, from the celebration of love and femininity to the reclamation of autonomy and strength.
Add these to your playlist:
Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko
The ultimate lesbian anthem, this song captures the thrill and anxiety of falling for another girl. Kiyoko's lyrics are straightforward and relatable, making this song a timeless classic.
"Girls like girls, like boys do, nothing new
Isn't this why we came? Gotta get with you"
Take Me or Leave Me from Rent
From the musical Rent, Take Me or Leave Me depicts the passionate and tumultuous relationship between Maureen and Joanne, two strong-willed women who fiercely love each other despite their differences.
"Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me, baby
Or leave me"
Be Your Man by G Flip
G Flip's heartfelt declaration of love and devotion transcends gender norms, offering a powerful message of acceptance and support.
"I know how you think and what you like
And what your body needs
Convinced you should run from me
I'm not what you planned
But I'll be your man"
She Keeps Me Warm by Mary Lambert
This beautiful ballad was born out of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' "Same Love" and dives deeper into the intimacy and warmth of a lesbian relationship.
"She says I smell like safety and home
I named both of her eyes Forever and Please Don't Go"
Gay Pride
The Gay Pride flag, or rainbow flag, is a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and social movements. Designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, its eight colors each hold significance: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic/art, blue for serenity/harmony, indigo for spirit, and violet for pride. Over time, the flag has been simplified to six colors, but its message of love, acceptance, and diversity remains as powerful as ever.
Add these to your playlist:
MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) by Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X's unapologetic embrace of queerness in a genre dominated by heteronormative narratives makes this song a powerful statement for the LGBTQ+ community.
"Call me when you want, call me when you need
Call me in the morning, I'll be on the way"
Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat
A song for anyone who's ever felt like an outsider, longing for acceptance and a place to belong. This synth-pop classic captures the pain and isolation of growing up gay in a small town.
"Mother will never understand why you had to leave
But the answers you seek will never be found at home
The love that you need will never be found at home"
Freedom! '90 by George Michael
A dance track embodying self-expression and the freedom to be yourself, George Michael's iconic vocals and the song's liberating message have made it an enduring anthem for the LGBTQ+ community.
"I just hope you understand
Sometimes the clothes do not make the man"
Bisexual Pride
The Bisexual Pride flag is a symbol of pride and visibility for the bisexual community. Designed in 1998 by Michael Page, the flag features three horizontal stripes: pink, purple, and blue. The pink represents attraction to the same sex, the blue represents attraction to the opposite sex, and the purple symbolizes the attraction to both.
Add these to your playlist:
Boy Bi by Mad Tsai
An upbeat and playful pop song about the joys and complexities of being bisexual, Tsai's catchy melodies and witty lyrics playfully navigate the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding bisexuality, offering a refreshing and authentic perspective.
"Oh, it sucks sometimes to be right in the in-between
I'm too gay for girls, too straight to be a drag queen"
Gettin' Bi from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
A quirky and funny song from the musical comedy series about bisexuality sung with a healthy dose of self-awareness and a catchy tune.
"Are you just gay?
Why don't you just go gay all the way?"
But that's not it
'Cause bi's legit"
I Can Have Both by Morrissey
This iconic song by the openly bisexual Morrissey is a defiant declaration of the right to love and desire without limitations. You don't have to choose.
"There's nobody around to say no
Who've brain-washed the small shy boy inside
He doesn't know he can have both"
Bisexual Anthem by Domo Wilson
This powerful rap song offers a raw and unapologetic look at the bisexual experience. Wilson's lyrics tackle the challenges of coming out, dealing with biphobia, and finding acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community.
"How the fuck you date a guy when you're bi
You're a fake ass dyke I don't like you, I won't lie
You cannot date both, pick a side, pick a side
Do you like fuckin' girls or do you like fuckin guys?"
I like both, bi pride stand up"
Transgender Pride
The Transgender Pride flag is a symbol of pride and resilience for the transgender community. Designed by Monica Helms in 1999, the flag features five horizontal stripes: two light blue, two pink, and one white in the center. Its light blue and pink stripes represent the traditional colors associated with boys and girls, and the white represents those who are transitioning, intersex, or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender.
Add these to your playlist:
Transgender Dysphoria Blues by Against Me!
Lead singer Laura Jane Grace, who came out as a transgender woman in 2012, offers a powerful voice for those grappling with their identity in this raw and honest punk rock anthem that delves into the pain and struggles of gender dysphoria.
"You want them to notice
The ragged ends of your summer dress
You want them to see you
Like they see any other girl"
I Am Her by Shea Diamond
Shea Diamond, a Black transgender woman, uses her powerful voice to uplift and inspire others to embrace their true selves in this soulful and empowering anthem that celebrates transgender women and their strength.
"Your ignorance leave the head of the stench
The Aroma lingers on generations have known
Ain't it ironic the smarter we get
The less we understand about the simplest shit"
True Trans Soul Rebel by Against Me!
Another powerful track by Against Me!, this song embraces rebellion and the refusal to conform to societal expectations of gender. It's an anthem for anyone who feels different and is determined to live authentically.
"Who's gonna take you home tonight?
Who's gonna take you home?
Does God bless your transsexual heart?
True trans soul rebel"
The Village by Wrabel
Written by Wrabel as a tribute to the transgender community following the withdrawal of federal protections for trans-identifying students in public schools, is a song about acceptance and self-love, particularly in the face of adversity, judgment and rejection.
"They say, "Don't dare, don't you even go there.
Cutting off your long hair. You do as you're told"
Tell you, "Wake up, go put on your makeup
This is just a phase you're gonna outgrow"
It's Okay to Cry by SOPHIE
This experimental pop song, by the late transgender musician SOPHIE, embraces vulnerability and emotional expression. The song's ethereal music and gentle vocals offer a safe space for listeners to connect with their own emotions and find strength in their vulnerability.
"I can see the truth through all the lies
And even after all this time
Just know you've got nothing to hide
It's okay to cry"
Queer Pride
The Queer Pride flag is a symbol of inclusivity and diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community. It encompasses all sexual orientations and gender identities that fall outside of heteronormativity and cisgender norms. Its colors (lavender, white, and dark violet) symbolize community, healing, and spirit.
Add these to your playlist:
Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monáe (feat. Erykah Badu)
A funky and empowering anthem, Q.U.E.E.N. embodies queerness, individuality, and the power of self-expression. Monáe's bold vocals and Badu's soulful interjections create an infectious groove that's impossible to resist.
"Hey sister am I good enough for your Heaven?
Say will your God accept me in my black and white?
Will he approve the way I'm made?
Or should I reprogram, deprogram and get down?"
Bird, You Can Fly by Eyemèr
A gentle and uplifting folk song, this song speaks to the journey of self-discovery and finding your own voice. Eyemèr's tender vocals and acoustic guitar create a soothing atmosphere, while the lyrics offer a message of hope and empowerment.
"So the time has come
For your soul to finally belong
Stop the facade
Though the world is not ready for you and I"
Rebel Rebel" - David Bowie
"Rebel Rebel," an iconic glam rock anthem by David Bowie, embodies nonconformity and the freedom to be yourself. Bowie's flamboyant persona and gender-bending style made him a queer icon, and this song's rebellious spirit continues to resonate with those who challenge societal norms.
"You've got your mother in a whirl
She's not sure if you're a boy or a girl."
Intersex Pride
The Intersex Pride flag is a symbol of intersex pride and activism, created in 2013 by Morgan Carpenter of Intersex Human Rights Australia. Its yellow background and purple circle represent the right to bodily autonomy and self-determination for intersex individuals.
Add these to your playlist:
Body Was Made by Ezra Furman
A folk-rock song by Ezra Furman, "Body Was Made" offers a tender and affirming message about body acceptance and self-love. Furman's gentle vocals and poetic lyrics create a safe space for embracing our bodies, regardless of how they conform to societal standards.
"Your body is yours at the end of the day
And don't let the hateful try and take it away
We want to be free, yeah, we go our own way
And my body was made, oh"
We Exist by Arcade Fire
A powerful anthem for marginalized communities, this song speaks to the struggle for recognition and the right to exist authentically. While not specifically about intersex people, its message of solidarity and defiance against discrimination resonates with many who feel unseen or unheard.
"When you walk in the room
Tell 'em it's fine
Stare if you like
Just let us through"
Turn the Lights Off by Tally Hall
This alternative rock song delves into the themes of isolation, anxiety, and the desire to hide from the world. While not explicitly about being intersex, its lyrics about feeling different and not fitting in resonate with the experiences of many intersex individuals.
"Everybody likes to get taken for turns
To see how bright the fire inside of us burns
And everybody wants to get evil tonight
But all good devils masquerade under the light"
Asexual Pride
The Asexual Pride flag, created in 2010, is a symbol of pride and visibility for the asexual community. It consists of four horizontal stripes: black, grey, white, and purple. The black represents asexuality, the grey represents the gray-area between sexual and asexual, the white represents sexuality, and the purple represents community.
Add these to your playlist:
U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer
While not explicitly about asexuality, this iconic song's playful message of boundaries and personal space can resonate with those who prioritize non-sexual connection.
"I told you, homeboy
You can't touch this
Yeah, that's how we livin', and ya know
You can't touch this"
We'll Never Have Sex by Leith Ross
This folk-pop ballad offers a tender and honest exploration of asexuality and romantic love. Ross's gentle vocals and heartfelt lyrics challenge the notion that sex is essential for intimacy, offering a refreshing perspective on relationships.
"Depollute me, gentle angel
And I'll feel the sickness less and less
Come and kiss me, pretty baby
Like we'll never have sex"
We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off (To Have a Good Time) by Jermaine Stewart
An 80s dance-pop anthem that embodies the joy of connection and fun without the pressure of sexual intimacy, its upbeat rhythm and catchy melody make it a perfect soundtrack for acknowledging platonic love and friendship.
"But I'm not a piece of meat, stimulate my brain, no
The night is young, and so are we
Let's just get to know each other slow and easily, oh"
D&D and Asexuality by the Skull Puppies
This quirky and humorous song playfully addresses the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding asexuality, using the context of a Dungeons & Dragons game. It's a fun and lighthearted anthem that promotes acceptance and understanding.
"Am I a zombie if I don't want in your pants?
You'll find my mind is much more sexy if you just give it a chance
I wanna go for a ride with you but only literally
Really love to hang at your place if you've actually got coffee"
***
From iconic anthems to heartfelt ballads, these songs, created by and for the LGBTQIA+ community, are powerful expressions of love, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality. They remind us that music can be a source of comfort, strength, and unity, and that our voices, through song, will continue to rise above the noise and demand to be heard.coffee.
