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Gay Musicians

I haven't read the entire thread but I live in Seattle and the lead singer for one my projects is a lesbian and the singer for a former project (playing its farewell show in June) was, and is, gay. As a matter of fact I went out them both last night for drinks to celebrate her commitment ceremony this coming Saturday.

Anyhow, those who have mentioned more gay/lesbian musicians in the indie scene are probably correct with regards to Seattle. Most of the female musicians I have run into are gay or bi but that may have as much as do with the fact that I've met them through my friend/bandmate as anything else. I can't really speak to the jazz or funk scene, though.
 
I'm a gay musician. I live in a community that has a sizable gay population but I have not met many gay musicians myself (not "out" ones anyways) other than DJs. I've always thought it would be cool to start an all-gay metal band or something like that. Something that would be totally anti-stereotypical. As long as my friends/band-members are gay-friendly though then I'm happy.
 
Sold an old Epi Thunderbird to a guy that was gay, and yes, he was the bassist of their band. It was so long ago that I can't remember anything about him other than he wore a pink pin-striped button-up long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and drove a Ford F-150. That and the transaction was done in the parking lot of a Microcenter. Really, really cool person, too. We talked about basses, strings and all that jazz for about an hour. He told me about halfway in the conversation that he was gay when I brought up liking pink colored basses. Nothing but success to that guy. I honestly can't understand what people have against the gay community; they seem like a much better crowd than the straight people I've come in contact with over the years.

Anyways, wish there were more in the music scene. I'd love to actually meet more gay bassists. Nothing against if you're gay and playing other instruments, it's just that I'd have a lot more to talk about if the same instrument were to be played and all. Err... yeah. :ninja:
 
I Googled Gay music forums, and I'll admit that I don't play bass (Keyboards, Guitar, Violin), but this thread intrigued me, so I joined up :)

I've been out for 34 years and never had a problem as an openly Gay musician - perhaps because I've been lucky enough to meet the "right" people along the way, or maybe because I'm over 6' and built like a brick out-house i.e. Intimidating ;)

In all my years, I've only met one other Gay guy who's into home recording, synths, guitars, DIY electronics etc. to the same extent that I am. Usually, in "Gay" surroundings when the topic of "Well, Andy... what do you do?" comes up, I'll start enthusing about my latest project, but I can see their eyes glaze over, and inevitably the conversation gets back to how fabulous Kylie is looking these days!

...I don't go out anymore!

From 1978 I found myself in various "post punk" bands, which kept me going until 1987, when I went back to College to study Sound Engineering, which led to a few, sadly, unsuccessful recording contracts. I eventually worked as an In-House producer for Loading Bay records here in the UK for a few years in the 90's, but I soon tired of the monotonous thud of Italo/HiNRG dance music that I was involved in and gave music up for 15 years for a career in IT. I've recently been able to take early retirement, and I've got back into writing again (purely for my own pleasure).

It shouldn't matter if you're Gay, Straight, Bi, Transgender etc. but in reality it still raises a few hackles.

Personally, I don't care what people make of me... I've always considered myself a musician first, the fact that I'm also Gay is just coincidental.
 
Hey folks. I'm a newly registered member here. Got a question I've been thinking about for a while.

Are you openly gay?

I am, and I find it kinda lonely. I've been out for several years, ever since I went to college. But I dont' seem to meet many other gay musicians. Queer musicians I have met seem mostly to be involved with the dance scene in some fashion, either as DJs (Yes, I consider them musicians), or the punk/rock scene. Oh, and singer/songwriters, too. But I don't think I've ever met another openly gay bassist or drummer, and certainly no one who is interested in funk or jazz, as I am.

So I'm just curious to know if there's anyone else out there like me. What's your local queer music scene like? Any queerly musical communities around your area? Lookin' for some solidarity, here! :bassist:

Alex


Have to honestly say, it never really came up in conversation , and if it did , wouldn't matter squat to me. Myself , I am straight , couldn't care less what someone does in their bedroom. Guys like Rob Halford and such , i love seeing in concert , I don't care if he is gay , i enjoy his music.
 
I Googled Gay music forums, and I'll admit that I don't play bass (Keyboards, Guitar, Violin), but this thread intrigued me, so I joined up :)

I've been out for 34 years and never had a problem as an openly Gay musician - perhaps because I've been lucky enough to meet the "right" people along the way, or maybe because I'm over 6' and built like a brick out-house i.e. Intimidating ;)

In all my years, I've only met one other Gay guy who's into home recording, synths, guitars, DIY electronics etc. to the same extent that I am. Usually, in "Gay" surroundings when the topic of "Well, Andy... what do you do?" comes up, I'll start enthusing about my latest project, but I can see their eyes glaze over, and inevitably the conversation gets back to how fabulous Kylie is looking these days!

...I don't go out anymore!

From 1978 I found myself in various "post punk" bands, which kept me going until 1987, when I went back to College to study Sound Engineering, which led to a few, sadly, unsuccessful recording contracts. I eventually worked as an In-House producer for Loading Bay records here in the UK for a few years in the 90's, but I soon tired of the monotonous thud of Italo/HiNRG dance music that I was involved in and gave music up for 15 years for a career in IT. I've recently been able to take early retirement, and I've got back into writing again (purely for my own pleasure).

It shouldn't matter if you're Gay, Straight, Bi, Transgender etc. but in reality it still raises a few hackles.

Personally, I don't care what people make of me... I've always considered myself a musician first, the fact that I'm also Gay is just coincidental.
Welcome to TB, Broadwave! Don't worry, soon enough you'll be playing a P-bass with flats and a tort guard. ;)
 
well im a homosexual female, queer as queer can be but i dont think it changes what comes out of
my amps.....

its such a small place here that all the musos know all the musos

they know i can play rock solid bass and we can have a good laugh together


i know what you mean about the lonely thing, there just isnt a gay scene here, inface theres no scenes!

straight people dont go around with a tshirt saying im straight

you dont need to shout about the fact your gay, but you dont need to hide it either

i think youll find that there are more of us out there than you realiise

cheers
froovs
Exactly what I was going to say. Bi bassist here, and while I have a lot of queer friends, none of them are musicians. But I've never noticed. I don't differentiate (even when it comes to connecting) with LGBTQ musicians, straight musicians, or them in general. My music and my friendships/relationships/personal life are totally separate in terms of who's who.

Although slightly relevant: I'm not out to my family, and my sister for years has been convinced I'm gay because "bass is a lesbian instrument".
 
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Exactly what I was going to say. Bi bassist here, and while I have a lot of queer friends, none of them are musicians. But I've never noticed. I don't differentiate (even when it comes to connecting) with LGBTQ musicians, straight musicians, or them in general. My music and my friendships/relationships/personal life are totally separate in terms of who's who.

Although slightly relevant: I'm not out to my family, and my sister for years has been convinced I'm gay because "bass is a lesbian instrument".
That makes sense. Lesbians like women. I play bass, I like women, therefore, I am a Lesbian.
 
That makes sense. Lesbians like women. I play bass, I like women, therefore, I am a Lesbian.

Now things make perfect sense. :D

The lead singer in my last band is lesbian, a great friend and I love her like a sister. Pretty, hot girls hit on her all night at gigs, I used to tease her partner about it all the time. Maybe it is different for guys but to me it seems like women are more open and approachable whereas the guys who live alternative lifestyles I know are almost secretive about their preference.
 
Hey folks. I'm a newly registered member here. Got a question I've been thinking about for a while.

Are you openly gay?

I am, and I find it kinda lonely. I've been out for several years, ever since I went to college. But I dont' seem to meet many other gay musicians. Queer musicians I have met seem mostly to be involved with the dance scene in some fashion, either as DJs (Yes, I consider them musicians), or the punk/rock scene. Oh, and singer/songwriters, too. But I don't think I've ever met another openly gay bassist or drummer, and certainly no one who is interested in funk or jazz, as I am.

So I'm just curious to know if there's anyone else out there like me. What's your local queer music scene like? Any queerly musical communities around your area? Lookin' for some solidarity, here! :bassist:

Alex
Whilst this makes clear that their sexual orientation is a big deal for some, I never understood how it became an issue when music is concerned.
being straight myself,I have worked with quite a few gay musicians and they made it a subject on a number of occasions.
I never understood why that was.
 
Whilst this makes clear that their sexual orientation is a big deal for some, I never understood how it became an issue when music is concerned.
being straight myself,I have worked with quite a few gay musicians and they made it a subject on a number of occasions.
I never understood why that was.
+1

I don't want to hear about someone's gay antics any more than I want to hear about someone's straight antics. You are gay? I don't care. You are straight? I don't care about that either. Being gay may be the most important thing in the world to you, but for the most part, no one else cares or gives it a second thought, unless you manipulate every conversation to how it relates to your being gay.

IMHO the best way to get treated like everyone else is to stop making a big deal about how different you are. It's like my friends from different cultures; unless they are talking about it, I don't even think about it.
 

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