The LGBTQ community has been making waves for the past few years, and the music industry is no different. From pop, to hip-hop, to country, the LGBTQ community has been becoming more visible and their music has been becoming more mainstream. Here are nine LGBTQ artists you need to listen to right now!

1. Hayley Kiyoko

Gravel to Tempo

Hayley Kiyoko got her start on Disney Channel in the 2000's. Many know her from her roles in Wizards of Waverly Place as well as the Disney Channel Original Movie Lemonade Mouth. Now, she is making waves as gay woman making songs about women falling in love. Her most recent single, "Gravel to Tempo" from her upcoming EP Citrine is a song about being yourself. She imagined herself in front of all the girls she had a crush on in high school, and she remembers "so well what it was like to idolize other people and look for validation from them. But then I grew up, and I realized: The only validation I need is from myself."

2. Troye Sivan

Blue Neighbourhood Trilogy

Troye Sivan started his career on YouTube, posting cover videos since 2007. In 2012 he began to post vlogs and his subscriber count increased tremendously. He came out in 2013 and since his music and videos have reflected that. The music videos he has made are breathtaking, creative, and most feature same-sex couples as well as people of color. Many videos like this can tend to feel forced, but Sivan makes them in a way that people feel as if this is the norm. His Blue Neighbourhood Trilogy tells a beautiful story of love, acceptance, and it puts its viewers through an emotional roller coaster.

3. Steve Grand

All-American Boy

Steve Grand is known as one of the first openly-gay country singers. His music video features a gay man falling for his straight friend. This scenario is completely relatable to many in the LGBTQ community. Grand's openness has inspired fans all around the world.

4. Mary Lambert

Hang Out With You

Mary Lambert is known for her feature on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's song "Same Love". She writes music and poetry that tugs at the heartstrings as well as discusses mental health, body image, and sexuality. But her most recent single, "Hang Out With You" is a lot more cheerful. Written, produced, and starring in the video with her real-life girlfriend Michelle Chamuel, this song and video features puppies, puppy love, and a catchy beat.

5. A Great Big World

Hold Each Other

Though this is a pop duo, one of the members, Chad King, is gay. Though they are known for their song "Say Something" featuring Christina Aguliera, this song has something that many other songs do not. This song features the point of view of both members of the band, one straight and one gay. Along with that, this song has both male and female pronouns and can be related to by anyone. This song makes you feel good, no matter your sexuality.

6. Julia Nunes

Make Out

Julia Nunes got her fame from posting covers on YouTube. Last year, the music video for "Make Out" was release. This was helped funded by her fans on Kickstarter as well as Patreon. It's a simple music video featuring couples kissing. The video also features Nunes making out with her real-life girlfriend Dannielle Owens-Reid, co-owner of EveryoneIsGay.com.

7. Sam Smith

Leave Your Lover

Sam Smith is one of the biggest openly-gay singers of our generation. He has won four Grammy Awards and "Stay With Me" was a hit in 2014. Sam Smith always has a way to our heart, and "Leave Your Lover" is one that it no different. The video and song is an emotional whirlwind of Smith begging a man to leave his lover so he can be with him. A lot of people can relate to this, no matter their sexuality.

8. Halsey

Ghost

Halsey has always been one to voice her mind and opinions. Since her claim to fame in the last few years, she has always embraced her bisexuality. With songs like "New Americana" and "Closer" with The Chainsmokers, she is quickly becoming a household name. One of her first hits, "Ghost" has two music videos. The second one starred her with another female. The media was in an uproar over this, yet Halsey kept the video online and now has a lot more views than the one featuring her in a heterosexual relationship.

9. Frank Ocean

Forrest Gump

Frank Ocean is an openly-gay hip hop artist, and industry that tends not to be too welcoming to te LGBTQ community. Ocean's album, channel ORANGE, is one that is about unrequited love. "Forrest Gump" is an example of his first love, a man. Though this song was intended to be about Jenny's point-of-view from the movie "Forrest Gump", Ocean has also alluded the song to the man he fell in love with years ago.