Culture

“The queer community loved me before I knew I was worthy of love, and now it’s my turn to say: I love you. I love you for redefining what family can be, especially chosen family. I love you for showing me that true happiness can exist for us. I love you for your creativity and sense of humor, against all odds. I love you for watching out for each other and speaking your mind. I love you for persisting and existing just as you are. I love you for being a survivor.”

Read Allison’s full love letter here.

“I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the LGBTQ+ community for embracing me so tightly and pushing not only my music, but also championing my personal growth. My creative work is heavily influenced by both my Florida roots and the vibrant LGBTQ+ community … my music is dedicated to all those who have encouraged me to strive for excellence and even to those who may have doubted me along the way.”

Read Doechii’s full love letter here.

“If you’re anything like me, ‘Pride’ in your identity was hard won. Whether that battle was internal, external, or both, you’ve made it this far and I’m so proud of you. Most of us are bonded by the isolating and traumatizing feeling of being closeted in a largely heteronormative world, and we remember having to deeply consider how our lives will change once we get up the courage to speak those irreversible words: ‘I’m gay.’”

Read Katie’s full love letter here.

“I know it’s not always easy to exist or love yourself when you don’t always have the support or acceptance from family, friends and these lawmakers, but never give up and keep fighting for yourself! Find safe spaces to celebrate and love yourself. Find people who support and can help create opportunities for you to better yourself. When it feels like no one understands you and you just wanna give up, please hold on and stay strong.”

Read JT’s full love letter here.

“I realize that too many of us in the LGBTQIA+ community lack a supporting environment at home. The warm embrace I received from my family and close friends when I came out is the same love that I see run so deep within our community. Thank you for being my family.”

Read Max’s full love letter here.

“Everyday, I feel the warm embrace of the LGBTQ community. Their courage and dedication to making the world a better place inspires me to continue to create music and radiate positive energy into the world. To those who are reading this, wherever you are in your journey in life, I want to remind you all that you are not alone in this world.”

Read Shinjiro’s full love letter here.

“To my queer and trans family, friends, and fans, I LOVE YOU! You are loved and accepted always. Your unique presence in this world is appreciated — and my music is always a place to come as you are. Please don’t dim your light.”

Read UMI’s full love letter here.

“The world attacks us because they are scared of the questions our existence makes them ask themselves. The freedom to be yourself can crumble one’s foundations of carefully crafted personality sandcastles. There is a future of forehead kisses, family meals, picnics in the sun, board game nights, holding hands in public, french toast for breakfast, feeling held in every sense of the word, a safe place in this world. I feel so hopeful for you, for us.”

Read Ashnikko’s full love letter here.

“In a world that increasingly feels like a dystopia where the political right is bent on destroying it, the queer community continues to be endlessly varied; powerful and vulnerable all at once, containing every kind of multitude. I am grateful to know queer people closely and from far away; to be inspired by them, to be able to live through the knowledge that they are thriving, laughing, crying, hurting, resisting, making food and mistakes and love and art absolutely everywhere.”

Read Hope’s full love letter here.

“We are honored to be close to, and be championed by a community that is so brave and fights so hard every day for their rights and at the same time, finds room in their hearts to be so loving and giving. Now, being mothers, we hope that our kids will be accepted as they are when they grow up, and we know that their ability to do so, stands firmly on the shoulders of the LGBTQ+ community’s collective fight for freedom and all of our right to love whomever we choose.”

Read Icona Pop’s full love letter here.

“Your mere existence will cause an uproar on three sides. The side that is against you and the side that supports you. There is another side, though … the ones that want to embark on a journey like you. A walk of life encompassing bravery and boldness. It’s so easy to focus on the negative, but I want to show you the positivity that follows you being yourself.”

Read Isaac’s full love letter here.

“I love saying the hard things so that other queer people don’t have to; I love providing queer people a moment to let go and feel free, to escape whatever hate they are struggling with at home or in their communities. I love making the music I needed as a kid … that WE needed as kids. Thank you to the community who provides me with light when the world can be so dark.”

Read Jordy’s full love letter here.

“Every day I see us rise above, learn to agree to disagree without giving ground, and grieve while a system that refuses to mourn us crushes us. I am proud and honored to be a part of the queer community. I am proud to stand for gender non-conforming people and kids who just want to live in a body that feels like theirs. I am proud to stand for a past version of myself that hid for so long in fear of a false god that was painted in some clown’s hateful image.”

Read Joy’s full love letter here.

“We are who we are because we are made to be this way — we are meant to show the world another way. Don’t lose your uniqueness, which, even in a queer landscape, can be intimidating. Be a man, girl, or some version in between … but ultimately, be you. I can’t wait to welcome you to the party when I see you … and to say ‘I see you’ loudly and proudly.”

Read Morgxn’s full love letter here.

“One of the things I’m most thankful for about being queer is that it liberated me from fulfilling others’ expectations of me, and forced me to focus on what gives me joy. It also forced me to rely on others’ love and affection, to stop seeing myself as terminally unique. If we are going to survive the sixth mass extinction and live to know the next chapter of this world (lol), I believe it will be partially because we as humans learn how to follow and protect our joy, and how to cherish and invest in community. Ours is not perfect at this yet, but I still think the straights have a lot to learn from us.”

Read MUNA’s full love letter here.

“I just hope that people know: they’re trying to erase you, but they cannot. You cannot be erased. You deserve to live the life that you are living. In the end, the safety is out there. Never give up on trying to find that.”

Read Rebecca’s full love letter here.

“I certainly had a rough go of it for a while — every queer person does in their own way, as the world was not built for us. However, there are many who have carved out spaces and homes for us to thrive. I stand on their shoulders when I stand on stage. The most valuable thing I ever did for myself was research our history — it gave me roots and grounded me in truth and science and love.”

Read The Scarlet Opera’s full love letter here.

“We are a diverse community made up of a select few in this world who have been blessed with the great fortune of knowing ourselves and being brave enough to tell others in hope that I may inspire them to go looking for something more in them. I am so proud of grateful for my LGBTQ family.”

Read Vincint’s full love letter here.

“Y’all are my true inspiration. You’re life lines that have kept me grounded and thankful. All the LGBTQ musicians, dancers, drag queens, bar stars, club kids, DJ’s, designers, actors, stylists, glam squads….. YOU are my circus family. It is because of all those years traipsing round our nocturnal playgrounds that I had any sense of how and why I wanted to stay the course; to rep for my queer family!”

Read Adam’s full love letter here.

“My music being embraced and celebrated by the LGBTQ community is all I ever truly cared about when I thought about my career goals early on. There’s no award I could win or accolade I could receive that would fulfill me more than seeing a 6-foot queen with a 4-foot ponytail walk into my meet n greet and say ‘hey girl’ or meeting a young queer person at Starbucks and them letting me know that my music has helped them become who they are. Literally nothing.”

Read Ariana’s full love letter here.

“We’re all unique and beautiful in our own way and entitled to love and be loved by whomever we choose.”

Read Barbra’s full love letter here.

“My LGBTQ fans and friends are some of my very most near and dear. Nobody will ever dull their shine and nobody will ever stop me from standing up for them.”

Read Bebe’s full love letter here.

“Every time I felt like I didn’t matter, some stranger would appear out of thin air to thank me for the work I was trying to do. Thank me for the person I was trying to be. You all have given me strength to stand tall in my truth and know that my living has not and never will be in vain. I am forever grateful. Here’s to the resistance!”

Read Billy’s full love letter here.

“Continuously throughout my career, you’ve always been so vocal about what a positive impact I’ve had on you — that I’ve instilled joy, hope and love in you at times when there was none. That my music is an inspiration. That my story gives you hope. But I have a secret to share with you. You see, it’s actually you that lifts me up.”

Read Britney’s full love letter here.

“Without any mentors a journey into adulthood can sometimes be very painful and confusing as an “other.” The mental solitude and internal dialogues could be very damaging without having an ear to scream into. Growing up is already chaotic enough but being gay, a male and black can make the process overwhelming at times.”

Read Cakes’ full love letter here.

“After years of fighting for AIDS research and against arbitrary barriers defining “normal,” you, and consequently all of us, have come a long way. You inspired me so much by never giving up until the law recognized everyone’s right to marry the person he/she/they loved. Your fierce determination to love in the face of societal hostility showed us all that the definition of love is limitless.”

Read Carole’s full love letter here.

“You don’t know how many times people have come up to me and shared how much my songs and performances have brought back beautiful memories for them. The 90s was such a great time in music. To be a part of so many weddings, and celebrations of life in general, that had to do with that word — ‘finally.’  Pride festivals all over the world and Broadway shows like Priscilla Queen of the Desert gave the song continued life.”

Read CeCe’s full love letter here.

“I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by so many beautiful people from the LGBTQ community throughout my entire career… from talented performers, musicians, producers and songwriters, to colleagues who have contributed significantly to my success, and last but not least, to so many of my loyal fans who have stood by me, in the name of love. All of you have made such a positive impact on my life, and I hope and pray that our world will continue to better understand that acceptance and tolerance are virtues that we can never have enough of.”

Read Celine’s full love letter here.

“The LGBTQ community has shaped who I am as an artist today. I am lucky enough to have worked with some amazing people within this community from all over the world; from all walks of life. I will continue to be inspired by LGBTQ people and culture until the day I die. This community is a beautiful, fun, exciting and safe place, which will always be strong, powerful and loving in the face of any danger or negativity. I am thankful every day for my friends, fans and collaborators, who belong to this very special community. Without you I’d be nothing.”

Read Charli’s full love letter here.

“In this month of June and every other day of the year please know that to me you all represent the daily driving voice that tells me to keep going, to triumph against all odds and to celebrate being unique. Because being unique doesn’t make us different from anyone else – it just makes us more special.”

Read Christina’s full love letter here.

“To our LGBTQ youth. I LOVE YOU. Fully. Completely. I celebrate you. You are beautiful and worthy of love. I hope you let yourself find it and find peace and security in that place. You deserve it. I will fight for you.”

Read Dan’s full love letter here.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that thanks to you, society is becoming more just, more loving, and more compassionate. That is something we can be proud of — not just this month, but every month and every day of the year.”

Read Elton’s full love letter here.

“Thank you for being bold and loud and incredible. You make me want to be a freer me. I feel a lot more excited and encouraged knowing I have such an incredible community/fam(ily) that support me. Thank you for adopting me and thank you for being UNAPOLOGETICALLY YOU.”

Read Eve’s full love letter here.

“I identify myself with the LGBTQ community because we suffer preconceptions, calumnies and rejections from a group of people that are more than ‘full of virtues,’ scared, inexperienced and hypocrites trying to point fingers while avoiding that fingers be pointed at them.”

Read Gloria’s full love letter here.

“I shout it. As loud as I can. In my lyrics. In my art. In a rainbow flag waving across thousands of pixels across my stage. I shout it in the faces of the oppressors and I shout it hand in hand with both my beautiful young fans and the queer folk that I look up to everyday. Our beauty is in every corner of the world.”

Read Halsey’s full love letter here.

“I’m grateful to the LGBTQ community for giving me the courage to write music about who I am and not just about my sexual orientation. Every day, whether it’s online or in person, I witness the compassion and acceptance within the community, which inspires me to share my personal experiences through my music.”

Read Hayley’s full love letter here.

“My job means I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the world and see first-hand how the bravery of others means our world is becoming more conscious, loving and most importantly, more equal. And that should be celebrated every day. Let’s encourage each other and believe in the power of individuality.”

Read James’ full love letter here.

“It doesn’t matter your race or sexual orientation. Love is love. [My aunt] Myzra isn’t with us anymore, but I like to think she is proudly looking down on me from above — the way I always looked up to her.”

Read JLo’s full love letter here.

“Love is love and no one should be discriminated or labeled for the choices they make on what their heart feels. It’s your life. Live it how you want to live it and be happy. You are all so special. I love and support you all. Forever.”

Read Jessie’s full love letter here.

“‘Follow Your Arrow’ may have tanked on the country radio chart, but that song specifically has brought so much meaning, happiness, and listeners to my music that may not have been there otherwise. So, to my friends in the LGBTQ community: thank you. While the career stuff is great, it’s fleeting. You changed me as a human.”

Read Kacey’s full love letter here.

“It always makes me feel sad when someone from the LGBTQ community comes up and says thank you so much for being supportive, and how hard their life has been, and how helpful it is when people in the spotlight use their influence to help others. It shouldn’t be this rare, unique thing. It should be a no-brainer to lift, and support everyone, in every community.”

Read Kelly’s full love letter here.

“I celebrate all the special people, past and present, who made it possible for me to be here and to be courageously different. Their examples have shaped me, and without them, my life would be empty. Happy and joyous Pride!”

Read Liza’s full love letter here.

“We spend so much time chastising what other people do in the darkness of their bedrooms that we forget that love is a part of our souls and it can be felt on a grand spectrum of truth. Anyone can love anyone and we should all be loving each other, not looking for reasons to segregate and invalidate one another.”

Read Lauren’s full love letter here.

“One of my favorite experiences from my headline tour [in 2017] was getting to really see who my fans were and where they’ve come from. The LGBTQ community was so embracing of me and I felt this precious responsibility to be a voice in country music for them, because it’s a genre that historically has not.”

Read Maren’s full love letter here.

“The LGBTQ community first embraced me back in the 70s, and all these years later, the embrace is still strong. Yes, we’ve all had our ups and downs, but you continue to stand and fight — as I will also with you.”

Read Martha’s full love letter here.

“To the entire LGBTQ community, I love you with all of my heart, I appreciate you endlessly and I support you with all that I have and believe in. I am there for you as you have been for me.”

Read Meghan’s full love letter here.

“Art was a way that I found to express myself, and it gave me the opportunity to perform on tour, to appear on TV and to collaborate with other artists whom I admire. I hope that in some way I also inspire others to be themselves, regardless of the fear and all the negative things around us. It’s not easy, but together our voices are stronger and the more ruckus that we make, the harder it will be to ignore our demands for equality.”

Read Pabllo’s full love letter here.

“The LGBTQ+ community has influenced who I am not only as an artist, but more importantly as a person. You are some of the most fearless people on the planet. You have not had it easy in any way, overcoming backlash and bigotry left and right on a personal level and on a much broader spectrum.”

Read Sabrina’s full love letter here.

“I am proud to learn from and look up to my most precious friends and artists and colleagues within that community who make me a better person, and make this world a more colorful, diverse, tolerant, loving place to be.”

Read Sara’s full love letter here.

“I remember as a young child going to brunch on Sundays with my mom and her group of friends. I had no idea they were all gay as I didn’t even comprehend what that meant at the time. All I knew is that I loved being surrounded by these kind, fun and loving friends my mother had around her. I definitely give credit to her for raising me in an environment that was incredibly open-minded and non-judgmental.”

Read Selena’s full love letter here.

“Thank you for guiding me, thank you for protecting me and thank you for allowing me to fight with you as we ensure the equal rights and protections for every LGBTQ person worldwide. Always remember that I’m grateful for everything you’ve done and continue to do.”

Read Shea’s full love letter here.

“I can without question say I wouldn’t have made it without my queer friends, both personally and professionally, and I am forever grateful to God for creating them in all their glory.”

Read Sia’s full love letter here.

“LGBTQ people are vibrant, beautiful, vast and valuable. Taking the time to show up and stand with our fellow LGBTQ friends, families and community members, as well as our allies, is how we continue to reflect to the world how wonderful we all are!”

Read Tegan and Sara’s full love letter here.

“It shouldn’t be a fight, but it is. It’s a fight against everyone who thinks they have a right to tell you who you can or can’t love. How you can or can’t dress. Which bathroom you’re allowed to use based on how they define you. It’s a fight for your right to define yourself.”

Read Tove’s full love letter here.

“Take a moment to thank the lives, stories and movements that allow the LGBTQ community to walk freely, marry joyously and dream the dreams that can now be a reality for everyone. Yes, there are always obstacles to confront and voices to ring out loud, so continue to show your presence, prove your worth and above all else: be fabulous!”

Read Vanessa’s full love letter here.