With the festival season approaching rapidly, music fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of one of San Francisco’s most anticipated events. Outside land. This year’s festival, which will be held at Golden Gate Park from August 8th to August 10th, is becoming an exciting and inclusive experience. Major headliners like Tyler, The Creator, Hozier and Doja Cat are headlines for events, but it is the representatives of the queer artists in the lineup that are generating a lot of talk. From Grammy-winning rappers to indie rockers, this year’s festival celebrates the diverse and strange voices of music.
doechii: hip hop bisexual icon
A thrilling performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Photo: CBS
Dokii, who identifies as bisexual, is gaining rapid fame in the music industry. The incompromising embrace of dokiy’s bisexuality, known for her unique style and genre blending sound, has made her a key figure for the LGBTQ+ community, especially the bisexual visibility. Top Dog Entertainment signer made the headline when it came up in a candid interview in 2022 GQand she has since been open about her experiences of love and sexuality.
Her bold attitude towards sexuality fluidity is evident in her interview. She often emphasizes the importance of being honest with her partner about sexual orientation. As she explained in 2022 Breakfast Club Interview“Tell me what it is. I’ll accept you about who you are. It really doesn’t matter.” Dokiy’s music continues to break boundaries and provides space for queer fans to see the experiences reflected in their art.
Rebecca Black: From Viral Stars to Queer Role Models
Rebecca Black at Portra in 2024. Photo: Instagram/@msrebeccablack
Best known for her viral hit “Friday,” Rebecca Black has appeared in the public eye on a journey of self-discovery and growth. In 2020 she came out in public strangely Straight dating Podcastsexplains that her change in perspective is more about her personal comfort than the need for a big “come-out” moment. She describes herself as “queer,” and points out that the term resonates with her because it covers the fluidity of her sexuality.
As an artist who navigated both the pressure of fame and her identity, Black’s journey has impacted many fans. Her vision is particularly important in the context of LGBTQ+ representations in mainstream pop music. Because her opening has helped normalize the queer identity of the music industry. Rebecca Black continues to push boundaries with her artistry, bringing her real self to the stage and encouraging others to embrace her true self.
Torres: Exploring the non-binary identity of music
Photo: Mia Hughes
Torres, the setting of Mackenzie Scott, is an indie rock musician who identifies as queer and non-binary. Their music is very personal and often reflects their identity, relationships and struggles with time. Torres made waves when it was released as a non-binary in 2021, expanding the scope of LGBTQ+ representation in rock music. Their powerful album Silver tongue It is a testament to their journey, exploring the themes of the intersection of love, vulnerability, gender and identity.
Marriage to Torres with a visual artist, Jenna Gribbon further highlights the strange vision of their lives and work. As an artist, Torres has become a beacon of non-binary personals in music, providing a voice to those whose experiences are often overlooked. Their work remains a strong example of the intersection of art and queer identity, continuing to inspire fans around the world.
Julien Baker: Indie Rock Lesbian Voice
Photo: Substream Magazine
Julianne Baker has been a key figure in the indie rock scene for many years, known for her heartbreaking lyrics and emotionally recharged performances. As an openly lesbian artist, her music often touches on themes of faith, sexuality and mental health. The story of Baker’s appearance is one of courage as he shared the truth with his parents at the age of 17 after living for years in fear of rejection. Thankfully, her family is “fundamental acceptance” and since then she has been using her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.
Baker’s works including her album Ankle sprain and The light comes outdeeply resonated with LGBTQ+ listeners, especially those who had experienced similar struggles with organized religion and family acceptance. Her live music and heartfelt music are testament to the power of authenticity in a sometimes harsh world.
Big Free Deer: Bounce Music and the Queen of LGBTQ++
Big Freedeer lives with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo: YouTube
Known as the “Queen of Bounce,” Big Freedia has become a symbol of strange empowerment in the world of music. As a gay man embracing his feminine side, Big Freedia is a force of nature, mixing his genderless, nonconforming identity with infectious musical style. He was a pioneer in the bounce music scene and is a hip-hop subgenre born in New Orleans. Big Freedeer’s rise in fame made her one of the most visible queer artists in mainstream music.
Freedia has always been open about his identity and uses his platform to oppose the homophobia of the industry. Despite facing challenges early in his career, he remained steady at breaking the barriers of LGBTQ+ artists. His music is a celebration of not only New Orleans culture but also strange identity, providing space for strange people to be seen, heard and empowered.
Hope Tala: A strange expression of R&B
Tara wants to run the “crazy” live. Photo: Vevo
Tala quickly became a key figure in a new wave of queer artists in the music industry. In an interview with The gay eraTara spoke about the natural progression of her visibility as a queer artist. Her platform focuses on the ability to connect with a diverse audience, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Tara identifys as strange, proudly expressing her experiences in her music, often discussing the complexities of love, self-expression, and the modern relationship.
Her rise in the music industry is especially important for people of LGBTQ+ colours. This is a group that has historically been underrated in mainstream music. Tara’s openness about her sexuality and the way she weave it into her music provides a refreshing and much-needed perspective in modern R&B.
Creator Tyler: Querness and Curiosity
Photo: GQ’s Caspercoffi
Creator Tyler is one of the most enigmatic figures in contemporary music. He never explicitly labels his sexuality, but his music has long hinted at the fluidity of his attractions, and the lyrics refer to the relationship between both men and women. Songs like “Sorry” and “Balloon” spark conversations about his sexual identity, with Tyler describing his sexuality as “gray realm.”
Tyler’s openness about sexual exploration has made him a strange icon in the hip-hop community. This is a genre that has traditionally not embraced the voices of LGBTQ+. His willingness to challenge norms through his music and explore his identity made him a role model for queer fans within the hip-hop scene.
Conclusion: Festivals for All
Outside Land 2025 promises to celebrate the strange voices of music. There is a lineup featuring a variety of artists from different genres. From Dokiy’s bold bisexual representative to Big Freedia’s unappreciative queer power, this year’s festival lineup should be an important opportunity for LGBTQ+ fans and allies as well. Outside the land, outside, it has proven to be a space for not only music festivals but also for inclusion, visibility and celebrations of diverse identities, as acts like Julien Baker, Torres and Hope Tara pave the way for future generations of queer musicians.
Fans look forward to this summer’s unforgettable performance at Golden Gate Park, powerful stories and celebratory weekends of queer culture. Explore the full lineup at Outside land website.
Source: Gayety – gayety.co
