By John Frame, presenter of Queer Radio on 4ZZZfm www.queerradio.org

1^st November 2001 for "Queensland Pride" (Brisbane’s major fortnightly LGBT community newspaper)

First let me point out that the vast majority of music reviewed and sold to "gay" consumers is definitely not written or performed by lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender artists – let alone ones who are proud to include that fact in their work.

"So what?" you might say, "if it feels good…" etc.

What you’d be missing out on is the unique value of hearing talented artists speaking honestly to you about the urges, conflicts, issues, emotions and desires that you yourself may be experiencing. Younger and older persons need to hear that they are not alone and that they are not doomed to become either gay scene "clones" or the sad media stereotypes of old.

I have not heard any two LGBT artists sing on the same topic from the same angle. (How many soppy and bland hetero love songs have you had to endure?)

Our stories have only just begun to be told and it’s a pure joy to hear pieces such as Mark Weigle’s "John" in which he tells of a married man shaking with the emotional and physical rush of his first deliberate sexual experience with another man:-

"And he wanted to laugh and he wanted to cry

and he wanted to puke and he wanted to know why

he had to come this far.

And with his wedding ring lacerating him,

He pulled his pants up and left."

I am supportive and appreciative of artists who are publicly open about their gayness (such as The Bluehouse), because that certainly does a great deal of good - but it’s those who are willing to be unflinchingly 100% specific in their lyrics who get "10 out of 10" from me:-

"Closeted rockers, we’ve heard of a few.

They won’t risk their careers to come out to you.

We have no such deception, no such ploys.

We make it clear we wanna sleep with boys".

Today there are hundreds of "10 point" LGBT artists making their music available to you, and there is no compromise in the quality of their work.

Gays like Elton John get significantly less points for only being "out" because there came a time when even his back was to the wall. Pet Shop Boys and Morrissey get 10 points because they were always out - to anyone who cared to pay attention.

For some time gay and lesbian music seemed limited to the folk genre – but around the world we are now more inclined to celebrate our sexuality as well as protesting about the many inequities. Australian lesbian legend Judy Small shows that folk music can bridge that gap. With "Let The Rainbow Shine" Judy explores many issues affecting us – from partnering and AIDS, to country town "closets" and joyful parental acceptance ("I Can Be A Lesbian").

Bisexuals can revel to the music of highly respected Californian blues/rock powerhouse Candye Kane. Her rockabilly song "Hey Mister! –She Was Baby Last Night" holds nothing back. Candye is a struggling single mother and Tupperware Lady (as is her lovely friend Phranc, another 10 pointer). You should buy the CD "The Toughest Girl Alive" now!

Transgenders should know about local girl Jandy Rainbow’s "H.2.Oscillate" which features "It Never Ends" - in which Jandy’s music enhances a story of gender identity oppression lifted from "Star Trek: Next Generation". Trannie rockers need to hear Jayne County ask "Are You Man Enough To Be A Woman?" (or earlier when she sang, as Wayne, "If you don’t wanna fuck me baby, then baby – fuck off!")

"Slam-poet" Alix Olson, from New York, should be a lesbian’s dream entertainer. She is fast, witty, word-perfect and utterly original – and many would say damned "Cute (For a Girl)", which is a fine track. I also like "Cunt Cuntry" in which she points out that it can be more important to be "cunt positive" than to merely have a cunt. Alix’s dad is her very proud publicity agent. Her brand new debut CD "Built Like That" should be in every feminist’s home.

Gay men have a huge range of artists to choose from such as Matt Yee (Chinese/Hawaiian cabaret artist), Doug Stevens & The Outband (country), The Flirtations (accapella), Jimmy Somerville (pop/dance), Pansy Division (pop/punk), David Brown, Steve Cohen and Mark Weigle (ballads & more), Michael Callen and Mark Islam (middle-of –the-road?) and Jade Esteban Estrada (Latino dance/club). The variety is amazing, and the honesty is totally refreshing and empowering.

Musical groups with multiple LGBT identities like Chumbawamba, Consolidated, or The Three Marys can place our issues in context with those which affect the whole of society, and I believe that to be very important. Spoken word is also indeed music, and Stephen Fry takes all honours in that category.

You can find full contact details for all of these artists and for many others at www.queerradio.org (click on "LGBT Musicians"). There are also links to LGBT artist sites such as "Outvoice" - so you can look further afield to find just the right music for you. (And remember Christmas is coming…)

• John Frame.