The LGBTQ Community and Music, A Long History

When it comes down to it, music and the LGBTQ+ Community can be described as synonymous! Over the years, lyricism and song content have been used to express the frustration, anxiety, hope and joy associated with non-normative sexual and gender identities.

Music truly offers marginalized groups a vehicle for freedom of expression, which is both socially accepted and is accessible to be enjoyed by everyone, helping to foster tolerance and understanding. But even more than that… It’s where a lot of the very best songs have come from!

Does it Really Matter if Your Event is Inclusive?

Our Answer to that question is a resounding yes! For starters, it is simply the right thing to do as well as being a way to extend your values into your event. Making your event inclusive improves the experience for all of your guests, which is always a good thing. It’s also easier to achieve than you may think!

Everyone Should Feel Welcome on the Dance Floor

After all, dance is a universal language as well as a great equalizer. People from all different walks of life and experience can come together on the dance floor, with everyone adding their own special way of moving and grooving to the mix. After all, it’s the differences between us that make life colorful and interesting! Wouldn’t life be boring if we were all exactly the same?!

Now onto the Music!

Here’s a short list of LGBTQ anthems, as well as being great songs, that’ll be sure to pack the dance floor:

“All the Lovers”, Kylie Minogue

“Freedom!”, George Michael

“Walk on the Wild Side”, Lou Reed

“Raise Your Glass”, Pink

“Take Me, or Leave Me”, From the musical “Rent”

“Vogue”, Madonna

“True Colors”, Cyndi Lauper

“I’m Coming Out!”, Diana Ross

“Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” lil Nas X

“Smalltown Boy”, Bronski Beat

“Supermodel (You Better Work)”, RuPaul

“Follow Your Arrow”, Kacey Musgraves

“Go West”, Pet Shop Boys

“Brave”, Sara Bareilles

“Dancing Queen”, ABBA

“Firework”, Katy Perry

“I want to Break Free”, Queen

“Born This Way”, Lady Gaga

“Rebel Girl”, Bikini Kill

“Grace Kelly”, Mika

“It’s Raining Men”, The Weather Girls

A Few Easy Changes, For Big Results

Adding music that will appeal to everyone is a great step, but there is another small thing you can do that will really help bump up the inclusivity of your event! Our small, but impactful  change is using gender neutral terms, instead of gender specific terms when addressing your guests. Ladies and Gentlemen can easily transform into Distinguished Guests. Hey Guys can be changed to Hi Folks, Hey Friends or Hi Y’all! Making those few small changes in your language, doesn’t detract from your event, and will likely make some guests in your group feel right at home! Sounds like a win-win to us!