Country gay

Hawthorn’s motivation for pursuing music stems from his upbringing in the Midwest and a desire to tell authentic stories through song.

His work often explores themes of love and identity, aiming to bring inclusivity to the country music genre.

Started	Top Hits	Debut Album
2017	Dancing in the Living Room, To Break Hers	Cameron Hawthorn (2017)

29.

Most recently, Mattel released the EP Full Coverage, which featured a cover of "Jackson" with Orville Peck.-- BS

Amythyst Kiah

Singer-songwriter and member of the supergroup Our Native Daughters (with Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla and Allison Russell), Amythyst Kiah recently released the album Wary and Strange, which addresses the fight for racial justice and her journey to embrace her true self.

"Hiding myself to please everybody wore me down.

The country rap song reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot Country chart before it was disqualified for not being “country enough.” The song is a blend of hip-hop and country with a dash of western twang, which sparked a major controversy with many country fans. News that came as no surprise to his supportive family and true friends made TJ the only openly gay artist currently signed to a major country music label.

In April 2022, Brothers Osborne won its first Grammy (Best Country Duo/ Group Performance) for "Younger Me," an autobiographical song about TJ.--  Addie Moore

Lil Nas X

"Old Town Road" being bogusly removed from Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2019 didn't slow down the career trajectory of Lil Nas X or dissuade Billy Ray Cyrus from lending his talents to a remix.

Kiah tackles themes of identity, race, and social justice, giving voice to marginalised experiences with a raw energy that is hard to ignore. Hopefully, I can help someone see there's nothing to be afraid of."

-- AM

Flamy Grant

Per their website, TikTok sensation, comedian and singer-songwriter Flamy Grant "is a gospel and roots musician from the Bible Belt who will move you, soothe you, help you heal some trauma and always leave you laughing."

As for the stage name, it's a sincere tribute to an ally.

"In my house growing up we were only allowed to listen to Christian and gospel music, so as a closeted queer kid Amy Grant was my version of an inspirational diva," Flamy Grant told Shoutout Social.-- AM

Kentucky Gentlemen

As The Kentucky Gentlemen, twins Brandon and Derek Campbell have the potential join the rich lineage of sibling acts that've reimagined the vocal stylings of roots music-- a timeline that spans from the Stanley Brothers to the McCrary Sisters.

Though they've nailed revved-up twang ("Lose My Boots") and country- R&B crossover ("Whatever You're Up For") approaches, the Campbell siblings stand out the most when they're smooth-voiced cowboy Casanovas.

He released his debut solo album, which addresses themes of queer identity and challenges stereotypes in bluegrass and Appalachian music.

Hiltner’s work aims to bring visibility to queer voices in bluegrass, mixing traditional aesthetics with progressive storytelling.

He is also known for his contributions to music journalism and advocacy within the genre.

Started	Top Hits	Debut Album
2018	1992, Benson Street	1992 (2022)

34.

It is a big focus of mine mostly because I now know how important it is to people who maybe didn't have the same experience that I had."-- AM

Joy Oladokun

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun has earned acclaim for her stirring vocals and lyrics showcased on songs such as "breathe again."

"Making music in this time especially feels really important to me," she told GO Magazine in 2020.

There's pieces in the lyrics of DeSilva's experience as a non-binary, trans person raised in a conservative Christian home, yet the story told is open-ended enough --and the pop melodies are enticing enough-- to rope in listeners from disparate backgrounds.

"The past couple of years have been surreal in the scope of uncertainty and loss we've experienced collectively," DeSilva shared in a press release.

And there's quite a few LGBTQ+ acts in the broad Americana scene, such as Bluegrass Pride co-founder and banjo picker Justin Hiltner and Kill Rock Stars Nashville signee Mya Byrne.

"Others will now feel invited to the country music party for the first time," Kacey Musgraves told Time, in reference to longtime friend, TJ Osborne.

The duo’s debut album, Pawn Shop (2016), included hits like Stay a Little Longer.

In 2021, T.J. publicly came out as gay, becoming the first openly gay artist signed to a major country label.

His decision was driven by a desire to live authentically and has been seen as a significant step toward greater inclusivity in country music.

Started	Top Hits	Debut Album
2013	Stay a Little Longer, It Ain’t My Fault	Pawn Shop (2016)

5.

Speaking to Country Now about the record she said: “I hope these songs empower you to live your life out loud, even if it makes you an outlaw.” For a taste of contemporary country with some sassy lyrics, check out songs like Act Like You Don’t, No Shade, and Sunroof.

Harper Grae

Raised in Alabama, Harper Grae was surrounded by music in the form of her grandpa’s band and Sunday morning choir sessions.

Her path toward self-acceptance and coming out publicly has been reflected in her music, with the aim of inspiring others in the LGBTQ+ community.

Started	Top Hits	Debut Album
2014	American Dreamin’, Daddy’s Money	Brooke Eden (2014)

12.

Check out her latest singles True North and Parking Lot to hear more.

Orville Peck

Orville Peck is an openly gay, elaborate mask-wearing country singer originally from South Africa.

Maybe it's just about feeling like an outsider," Mattel told NPR in 2018. "But I love folk music and I love country and bluegrass, and it's fun also introducing my audience — maybe they are gay, and maybe they don't listen that type of music, so it's fun being their gateway drug to something I think is so great.

And I just thought it was the perfect opportunity to just show who I was."-- AM

Lily Rose

Atlanta-raised country artist Lily Rose was already a self-taught drummer and guitarist before she found her voice as a singer and began performing sold-out shows around her college town of Athens, Ga.

It was followed up nearly 50 years later by sophomore full-length Blackberry Rose. 

"I didn't aspire to do this," Lavender Country founder Patrick Haggerty told CNN. Past athletic acclaim and current creative pursuits inform country-rock stomper "Baseball Country," which is ready-made to blare all summer long at beaches and ballparks.

"The past two decades of my life have been on the ballfield," Ruby shared in a press release.

It's difficult for me to make this video, not because I'm ashamed to be a gay male artist, or a gay artist, or a gay person, but it's pretty silly to know that I'm ashamed of doing this knowing that because I'm in a genre in an industry that is ashamed of me for being me."-- BS

Trixie Mattel

Trixie Mattel is not only a drag queen superstar (she's the winner of season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars), she's also an autoharp-wielding country-folk artist who counts John Prine, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, June Carter Cash and Dolly Parton among her greatest inspirations.

"I think my music is not so much about being gay; my music is about being a human being.

"To have been asked to be the very first artist to release on Kill Rock Stars Nashville both is an honor and demonstrates their commitment to trans women and other marginalized artists being firmly centered in Nashville, in the Americana and country community."

Though Byrne's music defies genre designation, she's made her presence known in mainstream country music.

Paisley Fields

Paisley Fields, the stage name of James Wilson, is a Brooklyn-based country artist known for mixing traditional country sounds with queer narratives.

Starting as a church pianist in the Midwest, Fields formed the Paisley Fields band in 2013.

Their music often explores the duality of masculine and feminine identities, as seen in albums like Glitter & Sawdust and Limp Wrist.

They aim to make country music more inclusive, drawing inspiration from queer icons and drag artists.

Started	Top Hits	Debut Album
2013	Stay Away From My Man, Limp Wrist	Oh These Urban Fences (2015)

22.

Lavender Country was widely praised as a pioneer, while Orville Peck, Brandy Clark, and Sarah Shook stood out for their unique styles.

Users also mentioned Brandi Carlile, Wilma Burgess, Willi Carlisle, and k.d. Her debut album, 12 Stories (2013), received critical acclaim for its honest and witty narratives.

Clark’s love for country music began early, and she has written songs for numerous artists before launching her solo career.

As an openly gay woman, she brings unique perspectives to her music, often highlighting underrepresented voices.

Started	Top Hits	Debut Album
2013	Stripes, Hold My Hand	12 Stories (2013)

6.

Eden is now authentic about who she is with her fans and feels like it has positively affected her music, as well. "All kinds of people love country music, and they should be able to see them themselves represented with who's singing it."

In the same interview, Clark shared her advice for queer artists.

"Be yourself, don't be ashamed of who you are, and focus on your music," Clark continued.