Queer Quarantine Survival Songs
Queer Quarantine Survival Songs
Music is a lifesaver. Always, but especially during an global pandemic. If you use social media, you may have recently seen an increase in the amount of people participating in the “30 Day Song Challenge” on their Instagram stories. During quarantine, the ability to share music with friends, family, and social media mutuals can provide many with a feeling of virtual intimate connection. You can make collaborative playlists with friends on Spotify, host virtual dance parties with your friends, and create virtual lip-syncing battles. Listening and sharing music is just one of the many ways that we can help ourselves feel less isolated as we practice social distancing.
We know that isolation can be particularly challenging for folks in the LGBTQ+ community. In this blog post, I will refer to people who identify as LGBTQ+ as “queer,” as many folks find this to be an affirming label for their identity. Queer people all over the world have often already been living feeling isolated from their families and communities. For many queer people, staying in frequent connection with their queer community is essential to surviving and thriving. Social distancing has now made feeling connected more difficult, especially for those who may be isolating in non-accepting households.
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), I am especially holding queer survivors of sexual violence close to my heart. Queer people experience some of the highest rates of sexual violence. We know that survivors of sexual and domestic violence are also feeling the impacts of global isolation more intensely than others. According to the Human Rights Campaign, bisexual people are more likely to experience sexual violence than their straight and gay peers (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). Transgender people in particular are at a higher risk, with 47 percent of transgender folks experiencing sexual violence at some point in their lifetime (National Center for Transgender Equality, 2015). Queer survivors of sexual violence are deserving of adequate and inclusive support services. For those who identify as queer and as survivors, the effects of social distancing can feel incredibly overwhelming.
If you’re a queer survivor out there right now, please know that you’re not alone. If you’re feeling down and out and are in need a dose of inspiration, queer magic, or a way to lift your spirits, look no further than this Queer Quarantine Survivor playlist. Music can be a form of liberation. These songs, all by queer artists, serve as a reminder that you, your identity and your experiences, matter.
1.
Bloom
Raveena
In her album “Lucid,” Raveena narrates a captivating story of personal growth in ethereal tones. She talks about overcoming experiences of sexual and domestic violence and struggling with her identity as a queer Brown girl. The track “Bloom” listens like a letter to an abusive ex-partner, as she tells them they no longer have any rights to her. She sings,
No, you can’t control me (No, no)
Subtle things you say to break me down
It don’t really phase me (Ooh)
Now I'm blooming 12 feet off the ground
You can listen to the song here.
*this song contains some explicit language*
2.
Queen
Perfume Genius
“Queen” is a beautiful, unapologetic, eerie pop ballad that speaks to the knowing queer people have about their very existence making people uncomfortable. As a gay man and a survivor of domestic violence, Perfume Genius refuses to water down who he is to make people around him more at ease. According to Pitchfork, the song was inspired by “gay panic” and is about how powerful one can feel knowing others around them are uncomfortable. “Queen” is sure to remind queer people to never apologize for their existence. He sings,
No family is safe
When I sashay
You can listen to the song here.
3.
Hooray
DDm ft. Holly Ann
DDm offers a campy celebration of queer identity in his song “Hooray.” The song encourages people to live their fullest gay lives like it’s a party, which is something we can all be inspired by. He raps about his come-up as gay Black rapper and how his life has changed for the better. “Hooray” manages to call out settler colonialism, call for reparations, and call for community celebration all in one song. This song is sure to get you dancing around your kitchen and dreaming of queer liberation. He raps,
If we stick together we can bring the whole crew up!
You can listen to the song here.
*this song contains some explicit language*
4.
Miserable America
Kevin Abstract
The entirety of Kevin Abstract’s debut album “American Boyfriend” is a heart-wrenching story about Kevin Abstract’s search for where he fits into society as an American. As a Black and gay rapper, two identities at an intersection of oppression in the U.S., Kevin Abstract struggles to figure out how American he really is, when the dominate narrative of American-ness has been overwhelmed by heterosexual white men. In “Miserable America,” Kevin Abstract tries to manage feeling isolated from his family and boyfriend, as he describes his mother as being homophobic and his boyfriend’s family as being racist. This song takes an upbeat turn, and feels like a story of liberation for Kevin Abstract. It almost has a gospel feel to it, as a choir sings with him in the chorus, “I don’t care no more!”
You can listen to the song here.
*this song contains some explicit language*
5.
All Mine
Ivy Sole
Ivy Sole has weaved into her music her journey outgrowing the shame she held around her sexuality. Raised in a conservative Baptist community in the South, Ivy Sole had to learn how to accept her queerness. In “All Mine,” she declares that it is her time and that nothing can hold her back. The song is catchy and uplifting as Ivy Sole raps over a loop from a classic king Krule song. She raps,
I ain’t cocky, I heard confidence is key
Busting doors up off the hinges with the weight of my speech
Just wait and you’ll see
Ain't no second coming of Lauryn
I got bigger hills to climb, no disrespect but it’s my time
You can listen to the song here.
6.
Feel The Way I Want To
Caroline Rose
As suggested by title, this is an empowering pop song inspiring all to feel the way they want to! Caroline Rose is a rising queer musician from Burlington, VT who’s new album “Superstar” focuses on building the self-confidence to follow your dreams. In “Feel The Way I Want,” Caroline Rose sings about loving herself for who she is and refusing to hide her emotions to be more palatable. She sings,
But everybody's so quick to stand up and say
Gotta be this way or that way
Gotta ask yourself, is this really what I wanted
Everybody's so quick to fly up and say
You gotta keep your s*** together
Well baby watch me freak out
You can listen to the song here.
*this song contains some explicit language*
7.
Songs About You
CHIKA
CHIKA is an up and coming queer rapper form Alabama who explicitly raps about her experiences as a queer Black woman trying to make it in the rap industry. “Songs About You” is a song that talks about her rise to fame despite all the people who told her she wouldn’t make it. Her talent is irrefutable, just listen to her music and you’ll see. This song pushes aside all of those who didn’t believe in her and boasts of her success despite all the adversity she has faced. She raps,
I'm havin' the time of my life, you gotta pay me to care
And I anticipated this flight and now I'm up in the air
Oh, I have only dreamed of these heights and now they takin' me there
Mmm, just let them talk, talk, talk
Yeah, that seems fair
You can listen to the song here.
*this song contains some explicit language*
8.
Chasing Rainbows
Big Freedia ft. Kesha
Everyone can benefit from hearing Big Freedia’s amazing, dance-a-long, bounce music. You may have already heard of her without knowing it, as her audio is featured in both Beyonce’s “Formation” and Drake’s track “Nice For What.” Big Freedia, also known as the Queen Diva, is a gay icon who’s presence demands to be paid attention to. In her new song “Chasing Rainbows” featuring Kesha, she sings about the beauty in being herself. It is a message to all of those who hate on the LBGTQ+ community that they are not going to change who she is. In the song, she sends a message that haters shouldn’t spend the energy trying to put her down because she is happy and comfortable in her identity. She and Kesha sing,
Where I been, what I seen
People dyin'
They can't be, who they be
'Cause they're hidin'
You know me, bein' free
Won't be silent
I pray for my enemies
You can listen to the song here.
9.
Girls
Maxine Ashley
“Girls” is a gorgeous love ballad for all the girls around the world. In the beginning of the song, the lyrics read like a coming-out story, as Maxine Ashley tells her mother she’s confused about her feelings and doesn’t want to disappoint her. “Girls” proclaims that extraordinariness of women and urges listeners to fight for women’s rights, including the right to be together. She sings,
Girls
You’re all that I need
You can listen to the song here.
10.
Be Yourself
Taylor Bennett ft. bianca shaw
Taylor Bennett, as he announces himself in this song, is the “outstanding African American bisexual” brother of famous Chicago rapper Chance the Rapper. In “Be Yourself,” Taylor Bennett explores his childhood and how people treated him, remarking on the way people made fun of his sexuality, learning disability, and economic status. He links all the adversity he faced as a child to his inspiration to chase his dreams, and ultimately be successful. The song encourages people to embrace who they are, as he says he made this song for the young kids out there who were like him and needed someone who was comfortable with their identity. The chorus sings,
Deep down
We’re all gold mines
You know
Diamonds take pressure
You can listen to the song here.
*this song contains some explicit language*
Remember that you matter. You are amazing, and we are so glad that you are part of our community. If you need to speak to an advocate, our hotline is available 24/7 at 802-388-4205. If it is not safe to call, you can reach us via email at info@womensafe.net or through social media.
Linnea Johnson
she/her/they/them
Educator & Advocate