LGBT singers, from Lil Nas X to Phoebe Bridgers, explore gender and sexuality thanks to the rise of social media and the stars who came before them

Pop stars today are more comfortable coming out as LGBT thanks to social media, which gives them the ability to develop fanbases around their authentic selves

Advances in representation have been a long time coming, say experts, with trailblazers like David Bowie and Boy George helping bring about a cultural change

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Celebrities like Lis Nas X (left) and Troye Sivan can thank the rise of social media for their ability to own their sexuality.

Published: 4:21pm, 7 Mar 2022Updated: 4:55pm, 7 Mar 2022

LGBT pop stars are thriving like never before.

Indie-pop darling Phoebe Bridgers, who has been vocal about her bisexuality, was commended for her fierce individuality when she was honoured with the Trailblazer Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards on March 2.

“I feel very lucky to be surrounded by people who allow me to do whatever I want,” Bridgers said on the red carpet.

Sawyer Fredericks, who stole the hearts of millions when he won the eighth season of American television series The Voice in 2015, scored a personal victory when he came out as bisexual to fans on Instagram in February.

Bridgers was honoured with the Trailblazer Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards on March 2. Photo: AP

Bridgers and Fredericks are not alone in embracing their queerness as public figures.

Rapper and singer Lil Nas X scored a No 1 single with a song whose music video features him giving Satan a lap dance; Troye Sivan donned a dress at last year’s annual fundraising Met Gala in New York; and major pop stars like Sam Smith and Demi Lovato have both come out as non-binary in recent years.