Coming out is something that many closeted people continue to struggle with today—as abhorrence and discrimination continues and amplified mostly in social media.

Luckily, these people are able to find comfort in music amidst their struggle.

There are music that can help and uplift us to express our emotions, ease the pressure from coming out, and escape reality. So to help you find a perfect song to boost your spirit and feel empowered, I listed down songs that would motivate you to love and accept yourself more. Music from both international and local artists like Lady Gaga, Gloc 9, etc., so here are the songs that made it on the list.

1. Sirena by Gloc 9

Sirena is a song that tells about how a boy who preferred femininity by wearing girls’ clothes, and make-up, is severely discriminated and disgusted even by their own family. Sirena exposes how toxic masculinity is being portrayed in the country. The song gives a very powerful lines like “’di sinusukat ang tapang at ang bigote sa mukha, dahil minsan mas lalaki pa sa lalaki ang bakla.”  

2. Born This Way by Lady Gaga

“There's nothing wrong with loving who you are.” She said, "'Cause he made you perfect, babe.” Born This Way is no longer needs to be introduced as it became very popular and iconic music mostly for the LGBTQ+ community. Lady Gaga well marked as an LGBTQ+ ally after the release of the Grammy award-winning single. Born This Way is a song that comforts people and tells them to fully accept and love who and what they really are—regardless of their gender preferences.

3. True Colors by Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper has been an LGBTQ+ community supporter for decades and True Colors, although delivers a universal message, is a song of a coming-out experience showing support to people struggling to come-out and making them feel that there are a lot of allies around that support them.

4. Firework by Katy Perry

Firework is a 2010 pop hit that promotes self-worth and empowerment which resonates well with many LGBTQ+ people. “You don't have to feel like a waste of space. You’re original, cannot be replaced,” The song talks to people who are struggling to love themselves, and accept their flaws.

5. Ituloy Mo Lang by Siakol

Ituloy Mo Lang is a very empowering OPM song that discusses about one’s struggle to come out in the Philippines. It unveils the reality of someone who is discriminated despite the good things they have done and being a responsible citizen. The song tells us to continue and pursue everything that’s going to make us happy—because people are going to talk and judge us so make it worth it. The lyrics “SIlang nanlalait, silang mahilig manakit—sila’ng ‘di pupunta sa langit” is a perfect slap to people saying that gays are not welcome in heaven.

6. Beautiful by Christina Aguilera

Beautiful is a 2002 song with a music video that included scenes of a gay couple, and a transgender person. Albeit the message of the song is universal, many LGBTQ people who experienced getting bullied, discriminated and abhorred were able to relate to the music. The lyrics “I am beautiful. No matter what they say. Words can't bring me down” became a mantra for many.

7. Can’t Take That Away by Mariah Carey

Can’t Take That Away was also written by the Grammy award-winning musician Mariah Carey, from her album called Rainbow, which she said she dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. “They can say anything they want to say. Try to bring me down. But I won't face the ground. I will rise steadily—sailing out of their reach” The 1999 track delivered a message that you are going to continue shining despite the dirt being thrown at you.

8. Inspired by Miley Cyrus

“How can we escape all the fear and all the hate? Is anyone watching us down here?” Inspired is a song from album Younger Now with a message of unity and a call for action. Miley Cyrus, who is also an LGBTQ+ ally composed the song solely for the community. Also, she founded Happy Hippie Foundation in 2015 which focuses on youth homelessness, the LGBTQ community, and other vulnerable populations.

9. You Need To Calm Down by Taylor Swift

You Need To Calm Down is a 2019 track which was released during Pride Month with a music video that featured Drag Queens, other LGBTQ+ artists such as Todrick Hall and the hosts from Queer Eyes. The song speaks for equality and called out haters and homophobes who use bible to criticize the LGBTQ+ community. According to Time, Taylor Swift also used the song to call followers to support her Senate petition in favor of the Equality Act as written at the end of the music video, “Let’s show our pride by demanding that, on a national level, our laws truly treat all of our citizens equally,”

10. Vogue by Madonna

Vogue recorded and released during the HIV/AIDS epidemic in 1990. The track was based from the ball culture which was very popular during the time. Vogue became the foundation of today’s drag and LGBTQ+ performers in their dance moves and steps.

Pride Month is a celebration of the LGBTQ’s diversity—it is a month when we give recognition to the community’s battle for equality, acceptance and love. And even though COVID-19 is still pestering us all, we can still be proud, and out even inside our houses—of course with the help of these songs that make us feel even prouder and embrace our uniqueness. So stand up, and dance, because your life is a celebration!