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Lesbian Musicians - Leading the Way
Music is a big part of my life and whilst I
listen to a huge range of music, from country to pop and rock and roll, my
heart really lies in supporting lesbian musicians. This may sound a bit fake,
and as though I buy their records just because they are lesbians - but this
is not necessarily true. Yes, I love the fact that they are lesbians, but
also I find that I can relate to their lives, I can understand their lyrics,
and I adore the fact that the best selling "out" lesbians use their popularity
to fight for lesbian and gay rights. If my few pounds or dollars that I spend
on their albums helps to fund their continued success and continuity in the
media then I will buy ten copies of each of their new albums if I have to!
If I can help to make a difference by attending concerts, buying fan merchandise,
and whatever else I can get my hands on, then I will!
There are four main lesbian singers that I want
to draw your attention to and explain why I think they are so significant
to the world of lesbianism. Most of them you will probably know incredibly
well but there may be one or two surprises!
K D Lang
In regards to her music, K D Lang's slick, smooth
tone and ability to continually change from country to pop - and beyond -
leaves hairs standing up at the back of my neck whenever I play any of her
songs.
I admire K D Lang most for her frank openness
about her sexuality. Of all the lesbian singers / musicians I mention here
today, she was probably the first to openly admit that she was a lesbian.
Her relationships are forever in the public eye and she has probably been
the spur for other singers to happily admit their sexuality. Her continued
fight for gay and lesbian civil rights is admirable, too!
I also think that K D Lang has introduced the
world to androgyny and she gets lots of press column inches dedicated to
her latest look, latest suit, or latest hairstyle. I think she has helped
people to realize that lesbians don't have to be butch or femme and we can
choose to dress the way we want and be the way we want. I remember her most
for her appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine dressed in a man's
suit with Cindy Crawford; this one photograph literally pushed lesbians into
a prominent position in the public eye.
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Melissa Etheridge
Kansas born Melissa Etheridge was discovered
playing in lesbian bars by Island Records back in the 80's. Since then she
has become an internationally successfully singer songwriter. Everyone thought
that openly admitting she was a lesbian during Clinton's inauguration
celebrations would be the end of her career, but how wrong were we! It has
only helped to catapult her career into international heights, with lesbians
all over the world snapping up her albums as if there were no tomorrow. The
thing I like her most for is the fact that she is now an open advocate for
gay and lesbian rights, and she uses her stardom to fight for us. I can also
recommend her lyrics, which are full of passion and relate to aspects of
her lesbian life.
Melissa Ferrick
Melissa Ferrick has gone it alone in the music
world. She has not held onto big record labels to make her famous, and has
set up her own record label - which she may use in future years to promote
other artists. She lives for her love of music and prefers to be out on the
road earning a few dollars from each person that buys a ticket to a concert,
rather than sitting back and making millions of dollars on the back of big
companies with huge marketing budgets. It's her fans that keep her going
and word of mouth rather than big ad campaigns. I admire her battle against
drugs and alcohol and give sympathy to her for her constant struggle against
panic attacks. The thing I love most about Melissa Ferrick is that her songs
are real: they are about real life issues, often with a lesbian twist, and
I am sure that if any of you out there listen to just a few of her songs
you will become addicted to her too! She's a mixed up girl turned good -
someone we should all be proud of!
Alex Parks
Alex Parks is a slightly shy, quiet lesbian
in the U.K who hit fame big time when she won Fame Academy, a UK pop talent
show much like Pop Idol that has hit the world by storm. Whilst she won a
one-million pound recording contract, and a luxury pad in London for a year,
she has not let any of this go to her head. Alex Parks has a sweet innocence
about her and this, combined with the fact that she happily admits she is
a lesbian, endears her to her lesbian following. Her natural ability to just
see it as part of her life and the public's willingness to accept her, regardless
of her sexuality, marks her career path as someone that all closeted lesbians
will aspire to. She is new to the music scene and her fantastic voice and
lyrical ability is just beginning to shine through. I certainly think she's
one to watch out for in the coming years!
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