Text by KYLIE MIES and NAOMI BONEH
Art by MICHELLE KIM
voice of youth LGBTQ+ SINGERS AS ROLE MODELS FOR GEN Z
“D
O YOU LISTEN TO GIRL IN RED?” In the past ro illustrate the frustration that comes with knowing who you year, this question has become synonymous with ask- love, but being scared to pursue it. The song “We Fell in Love ing someone if they are lesbian or bisexual in a more in October’’ portrays girl in red’s deep infatuation with another discrete way. Girl in red, a 21-year-old Norweigan girl. “Heather” by Conan Gray depicts unrequited love with lyrics singer-songwriter who identifies as queer, complimented by the beautiful strumis best known for her love songs. ming of an acoustic guitar. A big part of that change The phrase is commonly used on Tik“I personally connect with Conan Tok, a social media platform which has be- comes with tearing down Gray’s ‘Heather’ and ‘Maniac,’ because come a hot spot for lesser known singers to the current standards we I have gone through the same exact scereach a larger audience. The app has paved narios as he did,” sophomore Nathaniel an unconventional path for Gen Z’s artists are fed through media.” Ibuyan said. to shine, especially young LGBTQ+ singThese artists, who are also part of — MARINA BUENDIA, senior the younger generation, have a strong ers who have a way with writing romantic lyrics and dreamy melodies that attract a bond with their audience and often inteenage demographic. These influential artists include girl in red, teract with them over social media. The more intimate relationship Clairo and Conan Gray. has created an online community where those who enjoy the artAccording to Psychology Today, LGBTQ+ representation in ists can find like-minded people who share similar life experiencthe media can generate a sense of affirmation in identity, which can es, enabling many Gen Z teens to feel more comfortable in their boost feelings of self-worth. identities through music. “These artists all in particular speak out about the difficulties “I think that having a community online can be really helpful of exploring and defining your sexuality, which for a lot in someone’s journey,” Buendia said. “Where we live it’s a little of people is not something they have the luxury of bit easier to be friends with someone else who is in the LGBTQ+ talking about with their peers or their family,” secommunity and the stigma, while still there, is definitely not as nior Marina Buendia said. prominent than in other places.” Not only do these artists act as an esTo Buendia, positive representation of LGBTQ+ cape for those who might not be able singers in pop culture is the first step to broadto express themselves fully in their ening the representation of all people in a own environment, they help community. LGBTQ+ teenagers become “A big part of that change more connected to each comes with tearing down other through music the current stanand art. dards we are fed Young artists through melike Clairo, dia,” Buendia girl in red said. “Whethand Conan er it is race, Gray appeal gender, weight, to a different sexual identity audience than or religion, we most mainneed to live in a stream artists world where everybecause they cover one can see people emotional topics that similar to themselves resonate more with the in magazines, on billLGBTQ+ community. boards, in movies and TV The lyrics in “Sofia’’ by Claishows.” v
48 DECEMBER 2020
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