An ambassador from Just Like Us talks about the impact of stars like Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish
BY CHARLY FAYE, IMAGE BY CHARLY FAYE
Ever since pop music first originated, queer people have been an important part of its culture. However, growing up I never truly felt like I had a popstar to look up to that really represented me.
There was a severe lack of lesbian, bisexual, and female representation in general, and queer women in pop just didn’t seem to exist, at least not in the mainstream. Those who were out and proud in the industry were not celebrated in the same way as gay men. At a time when I was struggling to figure out my sexuality and identity, it would have been invaluable to have had a pop star in the public eye that I could look up to and relate to.
I think this is why I am overjoyed to see the sudden shift that is happening in the pop world. A wave of LGBTQIA girls is crashing the music scene, and we may finally be getting the female queer pop renaissance myself and others have all been craving.
Chappell Roan
Chappell’s “sudden” rise to fame is the quickest growth of popularity we have witnessed for a popstar in a very long time, perhaps highlighting the thirst the public has for a female singer who authentically celebrates the queer experience, which she is definitely quenching.
Her debut album, The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess, released in 2023, sent her flying into the spotlight, and many of her fans, myself included, have been listening to the tracks on repeat. Her work is incredibly dynamic and complex, with the perfect mix of vulnerability and unapologetic queer joy. Her work is a beautiful mix of queer art forms, and she openly celebrates her own identity, as well as the community as a whole.
As a queer person myself, I think I am not only drawn into her work because of her addictive melodies and eye-catching costumes, but also because it is so rare for me to hear lyrics in mainstream music that I relate to so deeply.
It is incredibly refreshing, and I wish I had someone like Chappell around whilst I was growing up; to show little confused queer me that even pop princesses feel how I feel, and it’s something to find joy in, not shy away from.
Billie Eilish
Billie has been a household name for a number of years. However, more recently, she has cemented her place as a queer icon, openly expressing her sexuality both through her music and in her interviews.
Her recent album Hit Me Hard And Soft is full of sexy sapphic lyrics and bisexual bops, giving us some amazing songs to add to our Pride playlists. Before coming out, many people and publications accused her of “queerbaiting”. I think her journey really highlights the pressure that is often put on those in the spotlight to label themselves, and how this is something that needs to change.
Although labels can be helpful in some ways, they are a personal choice. No one owes others an explanation of their sexuality or gender, even those in the spotlight. There can sometimes be ambiguity in queerness, and that’s OK.
Reneé Rapp
Reneé really can do it all: not only does she have vocal cords to die for, but she is also an incredibly talented actress both on the stage and the big screen. I absolutely adore her music and feel I can identify with her personally as well as with her lyrics.
Reneé has publicly opened up about “not feeling gay enough” when she identified as bisexual, expressing societal pressures that I and many other queer women can relate to. More recently, she openly talked about how she now identifies as a lesbian. Sexuality and gender identity can both be fluid and ever-changing, and she is a powerful example of this.
Personally, my labels have changed a couple of times as I’ve grown older, and at first, this was very confusing to me. Having an example to look up to at the time, like Reneé, would have helped highlight that this is a natural and common thing. Having someone so publicly openly identify as lesbian feels especially important right now. There are far fewer lesbians in the mainstream media than there are gay men, and it can sometimes feel like they are not celebrated in the same way. All members of the LGBTQIA community are important and deserve to see themselves in the media we consume.
All three of these amazing women have had such a positive effect on me, as well as many other queer girls. These artists are not only creating amazing art for us to listen to, watch, and enjoy, but they are also helping to create a safer space for LGBTQIA people to be celebrated. It is a turbulent time for LGBTQIA freedoms, but they are shining a light on our community and allowing space for love, expression, and queer joy.
Charly is an ambassador for Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity. LGBTQIA and 18-25? Sign up now!
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