Image: Chris Motionless on X, June 2018
June is Pride Month: This month stands for queer visibility and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community, but it's also about political activism for equality, awareness, and so much more. This year, we want to spotlight several artists in the metal & alternative scene who stand strong as allies through their music and attitude, or who are deeply rooted in the queer community themselves. This is your perfect chance to update your playlist for both Pride season (CSD!) and the rest of the year.
1. Beartooth - Free
Freshly out: Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo publicly came out as gay just last month. After the band's new single "Free" and its accompanying music video faced a flood of both incredibly positive and homophobic comments, the singer shared an official statement on social media. Since then, the track can be viewed in a whole new light and has basically become an anthem—celebrating the freedom gained through inner clarity, self-acceptance, and living out your true self.
2. Motionless In White - Voices
This isn't the first time we've mentioned this track: Motionless In White have frequently made a proud statement in the colors of the rainbow flag, both in their music video for "Voices" and often live on stage. Furthermore, frontman Chris Motionless has repeatedly wished fans a "Happy pride month!".
3. Silent Planet - Visible Unseen
Silent Planet are a Christian metalcore band whose frontman Garret Russell spoke about homosexuality in a video nearly a decade ago, pointing out that people shouldn't be rejected based purely on an interpretation of a bible verse. He has also been critical of how the topic is handled within the church.
In their song "Visible Unseen", the band addresses the issue of homeless LGBTQ youth in America:
“‘Visible Unseen’ is about the epidemic of homeless LGBTQ youth — a statistically observable phenomenon where disproportionate numbers of LGBT youth are homeless in America,”
“The song was inspired by heartbreaking conversations I’ve had at shows, hearing the pain of kids who have been abandoned by families and shunned by communities, simply because they don’t fit a traditional paradigm of sexuality. I call these youths the ‘Visible Unseen’ because this is a phenomenon that is happening around us, but often goes overlooked."
“So this is an anthem for them, and a challenge for us, to recognize an often-isolated, needing group of young people in our society.”
4. Halestorm - Do Not Disturb
Vocalist Lzzy Hale has already channeled her own experiences into her music with Halestorm and doesn't hide them. This was exactly the case with "Do Not Disturb," written a few years before she publicly came out as bisexual:
"It's based on a true story. I had a lot of fun with a man and a woman a few years ago, on this amazing tour overseas."
5. Yungblud - The Greatest Parade
Right from the start of his career, Yungblud has commanded a massive following from the queer community, precisely because he delivers empowering messages in both his songs and interviews. He speaks openly about exploring his own sexuality and identifies as pansexual. His festival, Bludfest, was also designed from day one to be an absolute safe space for the community.
"I've always just loved people."
6. Scene Queen - Pink Hotel
Scene Queen, aka Hannah Collins, delivers a wild genre mix that she dubbed "Bimbocore." As an openly bisexual artist, she tackles these themes head-on in her lyrics, often with a healthy dose of humor:
“Gays with ADHD, listen to me – I am your scene queen!”
7. PVRIS - Goddess
Pvris frontwoman Lynn Gunn also uses her platform as an artist to ensure her concerts are safe spaces and to serve as a queer role model for the community. Frankly, every single one of her tracks belongs on this playlist.
9. NOAHFINNCE - Scumbag
NOAHFINNCE, who is also well-known for his self-titled YouTube channel, speaks openly about trans issues online and has previously toured with Enter Shikari. His debut album GROWING UP ON THE INTERNET dropped in late 2024—featuring the track "Scumbag," which we'll just let speak for itself.
10. Greta Van Fleet - Play Your Games
In 2023, Greta Van Fleet vocalist Josh Kiszka publicly opened up about his queer relationship while also drawing attention to the threats facing the rights of the queer community in the US, specifically in Tennessee.
Here is their latest single:
11. SeeYouSpaceCowboy - Lubricant Like Kerosene
Named after the anime Cowboy Bebop, melodic hardcore band SeeYouSpaceCowboy deliver powerful messages promoting LGBTQ representation. They've even released merch featuring the slogan: "Don’t just protect trans kids, fight their oppressors."
12. Meet Me At The Altar - Say It (To My Face)
Now a duo (formerly a trio), Meet Me At The Altar serve up modern pop-punk with vocal support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Equal to that is their representation of women and women of color in the alternative scene. Before her departure from the band, Téa Campbell shared:
"But hopefully, our bands will inspire so many other people of color, women of color and women in general to start their own band [and] make a place for themselves like we both have done."
