Music Divas Who Are Beloved In The LGBTQ Community

From Miss Ross to Mariah, check out these divas who are icons in queer communities.

061223-music-diana-ross-mariah-carey.jpg

1 / 9

It's no secret the LGBTQ community supports many women artists and these divas have often credited queer communities for the longevity in their careers. In honor of Pride Month, here are ten beloved artists -- also known as "gay icons" and show the love right back to their queer fans.

Photo By (Photos from left: Jim Dyson/Getty Images, Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Diana Ross - In 1970, Motown looked no further than the songwriting talent of Ashford & Simpson when it was time to release Diana Ross's first solo single. "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" is one of Ross's most popular songs. They continued to work together, writing most of the songs on three of Ross's albums (Diana Ross, Surrender, and The Boss).(Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

2 / 9

Diana Ross is one of the original LGBT icons and a large part of her career can be credited to this loyal community. She has performed at many LGBT Pride events and participated in fundraisers in the early day of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Photo By Chris Jackson/Getty Images

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/06/Shows/2011-BET-AWARDS-SHOW/062611-shows-bet-performances-patti-labelle.jpg

3 / 9

Patti LaBelle was shouting out her love for the LGBT community before it was popular. In 2007, the legendary vocalist said, "I've been in this business for 45 years — I've known for 43 years that I've had a strong gay following and loved every minute of it." (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

"I'm Every Woman" - With an array of hits under their belt, Ashford & Simpson also worked with Chaka Khan in the late '70s. They are responsible for the classic song "I'm Every Woman," also performed by Whitney Houston.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

4 / 9

Another diva whose talent transcends all groups. Chaka has said about her gay fans, "You all have been my most solid fanbase and that is the truth." (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Photo By Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Janet Jackson - The pop icon is adored by everyone, but her love in the LGBT community is unstoppable. When GLAAD honored Janet with the Vanguard Award President Neil G. Giuliano said, "Ms. Jackson has a tremendous following inside the LGBT community and out, and having her stand with us against the defamation that LGBT people still face in our country is extremely significant."(Photo by Sven Hoogerhuis/PictureGroup)

5 / 9

Everyone adores the pop icon, but her love in the LGBT community is unstoppable. When GLAAD honored Janet with the Vanguard Award President Neil G. Giuliano said, "Ms. Jackson has a tremendous following inside the LGBT community and out, and having her stand with us against the defamation that LGBT people still face in our country is extremely significant." (Photo by Sven Hoogerhuis/PictureGroup)

ADVERTISEMENT
Beyoncé - Beyoncé is this generation's gay icon. She is a drag queen favorite, but some have crticized her for not being as vocal about her gay fans. Nonetheless, in 2006 Bey told Instinct Magazine about her late uncle who was gay, "He was my favorite person in the whole world. I never mixed Christianity with how I felt (about him). I am about faith and spirituality more so than religion, doing right by others and not judging."

6 / 9

Beyoncé is this generation's LGBT icon. Bey said Her most recent album Renaissance is dedicated to her Uncle Jonny, her godfather, a proud gay man who lost his life to AIDS. The album is also a celebration of her queer fanbase.

Jennifer Hudson - J-Hud has repeatedly made it clear that the LGBT community loved her before the world knew her. In 2006 the Oscar winner said, "It was the gay community that supported me long before and long after American Idol, and kept me working and motivated. It is the gay community that celebrated my voice and my size and my personality long before Dreamgirls."(Photo Credit: HRC/WENN.com)

7 / 9

Jennifer Hudson has repeatedly clarified that the LGBT community loved her before the world knew her. In 2006 the Oscar winner said, "It was the gay community that supported me long before and long after American Idol, and kept me working and motivated. It is the gay community that celebrated my voice and my size and my personality long before Dreamgirls." (Photo Credit: HRC/WENN.com)

Lil' Kim - Lil' Kim is arguably the first hip hop artist to embrace the LGBT community. During this year's LGBT Pride in New York City, the Queen Bee was the ringmaster of the float for the annual LGBT Pride Parade.(Photo Credit: Harry Pluviose / Retna Ltd.)

8 / 9

Lil' Kim is arguably the first hip-hop artist to embrace the LGBT community. She has also been inclusive of queer communities and has participated in Pride events. (Photo Credit: Harry Pluviose / Retna Ltd.)

Photo By Harry Pluviose / Retna Ltd.

Mary J. Blige - Blige is loved by all, but she has no hesitation in shouting out her LGBT fans. In 2007 she told The Advocate on growing up, "A lot of people that I knew were gay, but they were great people. They were good people. It’s not like they were alien. They were just people. That [acceptance] was just something that was always in me. I’ve never been a judgmental person because I have been through so much hell myself."(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

9 / 9

All love Mary J. Blige, but she has no hesitation in shouting out her LGBT fans. In 2007 she told The Advocate on growing up, "A lot of people that I knew were gay, but they were great people. They were good people. It’s not like they were alien. They were just people. That [acceptance] was just something that was always in me. I’ve never been a judgmental person because I have been through so much hell myself." (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)