For much of music history, it was far too rare to hear a woman sing a love song using female pronouns, or a full album exploring the ups and downs of a queer relationship.
And while there's still a heavy imbalance in favor of straight love stories, that rarity is beginning to fade.
From label-eschewing artists like Kehlani and Frank Ocean to proudly gay creators like Kevin Abstract and Hayley Kiyoko, queer music is taking up more space than ever before. So, Insider compiled a list of the best LGBTQ love songs of all time.
We decided to avoid clear-cut breakup songs, favoring an optimistic and hopeful overtone. Though we did allow for some melancholic themes, in addition to your classic ballads and cheerful bops, all 18 songs explore the nuances and vulnerability of queer love.