The 61st Annual Grammy Awards are going to look extremely queer this year with a huge number of LGBTQ artists nominated across all of the categories.
“Not only are LGBTQ listeners some of the most engaged fans, but we are also writing, producing, and performing some of music’s biggest and most influential hits across all genres,” said Zeke Stokes, GLAAD’s Vice President of Programs. “This year’s extensive list of LGBTQ Grammy nominees is a reflection of an emerging reality in the industry and it’s long overdue.”
Out country singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile earned six nominations, making her the most nominated woman at the 2019 Grammys. Carlile’s song The Joke was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best American Roots Performance, and Best American Roots Song. Her album “By The Way, I Forgive You” was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Americana Album.
Bisexual singer Lady Gaga received five nominations this year, for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Song Written For Visual Media for Shallow from the soundtrack to the film A Star Is Born. She was also nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance for Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?).
Janelle Monáe, who came out as pansexual last spring, was nominated for Album of the Year, for her iconic album “Dirty Computer.” Monáe is also nominated for Best Music Video for PYNK.
Bebe Rexha was nominated in the Best New Artist category. Last spring, Bebe said that she could “fall in love with a man or a woman.”
Also over the Song of the Year category, Aussie songwriter Sarah Aarons was nominated for co-writing The Middle for Zedd feat. Maren Morris and Grey. Sarah performed her hit track for the first time at GLAAD’s Spirit Day concert this past October. And transgender songwriter Teddy Geiger was also nominated in the Song of the Year category for co-writing In My Blood for Shawn Mendes.
Transgender singer SOPHIE was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album for “Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides.”
St. Vincent was nominated for Best Rock Song for the song Masseduction and Best Alternative Music Album and Best Recording Package for her album of the same name.
Out musical theater songwriter Benj Pasek was nominated for Best Song Written For Visual Media for This Is Me from the soundtrack to The Greatest Showman. The soundtrack, which Benj helmed along with his songwriting partner Justin Paul, was also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media.
Meshell Ndegeocello was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album for “Ventriloquism.” And Linda Perry was nominated in the prestigious Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical category.
In additional ally nomination news, friend of GLAAD Kacey Musgraves was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Country Album for “Golden Hour,” as well as Best Country Solo Performance for her song Butterflies. She was also nominated alongside out country songwriter Shane McAnally for co-writing her track Space Cowboy. Country singer/songwriter Waylon Payne was nominated for Best American Roots Song for co-writing All The Trouble with and for Lee Ann Womack.
Lastly, Dolly Parton will be the Recording Academy’s 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year.
