Hot, Loud & Proud: 12 Songs Every LGBTQ+ Playlist Needs

Each year, Pride month transforms cities and communities into vibrant celebrations of identity, visibility, and solidarity. At the core of these festivities is music—a universal language for empowerment and unity. Pride anthems, both time-honored and new, give voice to LGBTQ+ experiences, creating a shared soundtrack for moments of joy, protest, and reflection. As 2025 brings new challenges and triumphs, these songs remain a rallying cry: be yourself, love out loud, and dance like nobody’s watching.

A true Pride anthem resonates across generations, offering messages of acceptance, freedom, and self-celebration. Many are performed by openly LGBTQ+ artists or strong allies, and some have become synonymous with the movement itself. This year’s picks blend nostalgia, pop power, and contemporary queer storytelling, ensuring every listener feels seen and connected.

Your 2025 Summer Pride Playlist: 12 Hot Anthems

1. Born This Way – Lady Gaga
- An enduring call to self-acceptance and LGBTQ+ rights, Lady Gaga’s anthem continues to headline Pride events worldwide

2. Vogue – Madonna
- With its iconic ballroom inspiration and celebration of self-expression, “Vogue” is a staple at every Pride party

3. Dancing On My Own – Robyn
- Robyn’s synth-pop heartbreak anthem has become a queer classic, beloved for its themes of resilience and emotional honesty

4. Levitating – Dua Lipa
- An upbeat, disco-infused hit, “Levitating” is a favorite for its infectious energy and Dua Lipa’s outspoken support for LGBTQ+ communities

5. Work Bitch – Britney Spears
- Britney’s empowering banger reminds listeners to claim their success and unapologetically own their ambition

6. About Damn Time – Lizzo
- With messages of self-love and visibility, Lizzo’s 2022 hit continues to inspire Pride revelers to embrace their boldest selves

7. Euphoria – Loreen
- This Eurovision-winning track, performed by openly bisexual artist Loreen, radiates euphoria and liberation, making it a Pride favorite

8. Follow Your Arrow – Kacey Musgraves
- Musgraves’ country-pop song stands out for its rare message of LGBTQ+ acceptance in the country genre: “Love who you love. Do you. It’s all good”

9. Androgynous – The Replacements
- This deep cut celebrates gender diversity and the beauty of being yourself, regardless of societal expectations

10. Can’t Get You Out of My Head – Kylie Minogue
- An LGBTQ+ icon, Minogue’s dance-pop classic remains a go-to track for any Pride celebration

11. It’s Not Right (But It’s Okay) – Whitney Houston (Thunderpuss Mix)
- The Thunderpuss remix of this breakup anthem has been embraced as a queer empowerment track, perfect for the dance floor.

12. Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved – Miley Cyrus feat. Naomi Campbell
- This recent collaboration highlights the evolving landscape of pop and Pride, featuring openly queer voices and allies

Pride playlists are ever-evolving, reflecting new voices and genres. Tracks like Zolita’s “Ruin My Life” and Bob Dylan’s “He’s Funny That Way” (a rare same-gender love song from an American legend) expand the canon, while classic tracks like “Love Train” by The O’Jays and “Love My Way” by Psychedelic Furs capture the spirit of unity and celebration.

As Pride celebrations grow more global, so too does the range of music featured. Playlists now spotlight artists from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum and around the world, affirming that Pride is not just a moment, but a movement. Whether you’re celebrating on the main stage or in your living room, these songs offer a powerful reminder: everyone deserves to dance, sing, and be seen.