The Influence of Queer Culture in Mainstream Art

Art & Culture
Written By Barry Brandon

ICONIQA 5.0 Photograph by Pedro Quintana

Words: Roberto Broce via Misfitlens Creative Agency

For years, queer culture has been an undercurrent—its influence undeniable but often uncredited in mainstream art. Now, the tide has turned. Queer voices are no longer whispering from the edges; they’re reshaping the entire conversation, bringing fresh perspectives that challenge conventions and celebrate difference. What was once marginalized is now celebrated openly, creating a creative explosion that reverberates across fashion, music, dance, and beyond.

Consider icons like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring—artists who didn’t just make their mark, but forever altered the trajectory of art. Warhol’s vivid, campy depictions of fame and consumerism quietly injected queer sensibility into pop culture, twisting the everyday into something far more subversive. Meanwhile, Haring’s murals, with their electric colors and activist undertones, took the fight for queer visibility straight to the streets, blending art with action in a way that was impossible to ignore.

But the influence doesn’t stop with these legends. Queer creativity spans genres and platforms, whether it’s gender-defying runway looks or music videos that blur the lines of identity and genre. The impact of queer culture has reached far beyond gallery walls, transforming not just how we experience art, but also how we see the world and ourselves​

Somnyama Ngonyama (2016) Zanele Muholi

A Visual Language: Queer Aesthetic in Contemporary Art

Queer aesthetic is more than just a style—it’s a visual rebellion. It defies conventional boundaries, taking aim at rigid definitions of gender, sexuality, and identity. It’s a language of fluidity and resistance, a space where the very concept of identity is questioned and transformed. Queer art often confronts and destabilizes traditional notions, using everything from unconventional materials to bold, boundary-pushing subjects to tell stories that exist outside heteronormative narratives.

"Untitled" (Perfect Lovers). (1991) Felix Gonzalez-Torres.

Take Felix Gonzalez-Torres, for instance, whose minimalist yet emotionally charged works explore love, loss, and identity. His piece "Untitled (Perfect Lovers)," featuring two identical clocks, speaks to the inevitability of time’s passing—while also acting as a poignant metaphor for the fleeting nature of queer love under societal oppression. Meanwhile, Catherine Opie’s portraits examine the complexities of queer identity, using stark yet intimate imagery to explore gender presentation and community. Zanele Muholi, on the other hand, documents the lives of Black LGBTQ+ people in South Africa, using her striking black-and-white photography to highlight both vulnerability and resilience in the face of systemic marginalization.

These artists aren’t just creating for the margins—they’re being celebrated by the very institutions that once ignored them. Major exhibitions like the Whitney Biennial have increasingly featured queer voices, showcasing how the queer aesthetic is no longer seen as fringe but integral to the broader art world. Through this mainstream reception, queer art has gained not just visibility, but legitimacy, becoming a vital part of the conversation in galleries and museums worldwide.

“Self Portrait / Pervert” (1994)  Catherine Opie

Fashion’s Queer Revolution: From the Runway to the Streets

The fashion world has long been a space for rebellion, self-expression, and pushing the boundaries of societal norms. Queer designers and icons have not only embraced this but have completely revolutionized how we think about clothing, identity, and style. From the runways of Paris to the streets of New York, the influence of LGBTQ+ designers and drag culture has seeped into the mainstream, creating a new era of fashion that is fluid, fearless, and unapologetically queer.

Alexander McQueen autumn/winter 1998. Photography Paul Vicente/EPA/Shutterstock

Queer Icons in Fashion

The contributions of queer designers like Alexander McQueen, Telfar Clemens, and Jean Paul Gaultier have forever altered the landscape of fashion. McQueen’s work, characterized by its theatricality and emotional depth, often incorporated themes of outsiderhood and identity, blending darkness with beauty. Gaultier, with his avant-garde designs, challenged gender norms from the start, creating iconic looks like the “man-skirt” and Madonna’s conical bra. Meanwhile, Telfar Clemens, through his eponymous brand Telfar, has brought gender inclusivity and accessibility to fashion, especially with his "Bushwick Birkin," a symbol of affordable luxury that transcends gendered fashion norms.

These trailblazers haven’t just created clothing—they’ve created conversations. Their designs disrupt traditional binaries and offer a broader spectrum of what fashion can be, blending the masculine with the feminine, and giving rise to new interpretations of identity and expression.

Telfar's "Bushwick Birkin". Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

Drag Culture’s Influence

With the rise of shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, drag culture has had a profound impact on mainstream fashion. Drag’s exaggerated silhouettes, vibrant colors, and unapologetic boldness have left a lasting imprint on both high fashion and street style. Designers and fashion houses now frequently draw inspiration from drag’s boundary-pushing aesthetics. Drag Race contestants—like Violet Chachki and Aquaria—have been featured in major fashion campaigns and even graced the runways of Paris Fashion Week.

Beyond visuals, drag’s philosophy of self-expression, transformation, and celebration of individuality resonates deeply within the fashion world. The idea of "serving looks" and embodying different personas through clothing has become a celebrated concept in fashion, where fluidity and extravagance are no longer reserved for queer spaces but are embraced by mainstream designers and consumers alike.

Queer-Inclusive Collections

Many fashion brands have embraced queer inclusivity, not just through representation but by creating collections that celebrate fluidity and nonconformity. Brands like Gucci, under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele, have made gender-fluid fashion a signature element of their collections. Telfar, as mentioned earlier, has built an entire brand around rejecting traditional gender labels, with collections that are explicitly unisex and inclusive.

Alessandro Michele Gucci's runway. Photo Credit: GQ

Brands like Savage X Fenty and Chromat have been at the forefront of embracing true diversity, showcasing models across a broad spectrum of gender identities, sexual orientations, body types, and ethnic backgrounds. These collections go beyond simply including LGBTQ+ representation; they actively challenge the traditional boundaries of who fashion is for. With campaigns that feature trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming models, these brands reflect a cultural shift, pushing back against the industry's outdated notions of beauty and opening up new possibilities for how people express themselves through fashion.

Gigi Goode at Savage x Fenty. Getty Images.

Music as a Vehicle for Queer Expression

Music has always been a platform for pushing boundaries, and queer artists have used this power to redefine gender and sexuality in ways that go far beyond the mainstream. Whether through lyrics, performances, or visual storytelling, queer musicians have used their art to challenge norms, create new spaces for expression, and bring queer stories to the forefront.

Lil Nas X, "Montero (Call Me By Your Name),

Pop Stars Redefining Gender and Sexuality

Artists like Lil Nas X, Troye Sivan, and Christine and the Queens are leading a cultural shift in music, using their platforms to challenge and reshape conventional ideas of gender and sexuality. Lil Nas X first broke through with “Old Town Road”, a genre-defying hit that blurred the lines between country and rap, but it was his track "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" that cemented his role as a trailblazer in queer representation. In the music video, Lil Nas X boldly celebrates queer identity, fully embracing his sexuality with vivid, unapologetic imagery in a way that’s rare for mainstream artists.

Troye Sivan, while known for his softer, more introspective tracks, like “Seventeen” and “Bloom”, brings a deeply personal perspective on queer love and coming of age, using his sound to share the intimate nuances of queer relationships. Meanwhile, Christine and the Queens (aka Chris) constantly pushes the boundaries of gender and identity through both her music and public persona. She blends pop with gender fluidity, refusing to conform to traditional roles and expectations, offering a sound and image that defy binaries.

Together, these artists are not just making music—they’re shifting how queerness is portrayed and understood in mainstream culture, creating more space for diverse LGBTQ+ experiences to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

Queer Nightlife’s Influence on Pop Culture

The influence of queer nightlife, particularly the underground ballroom scene and techno clubs, cannot be overlooked in modern pop culture. Ballroom culture, with its fierce voguing competitions and legendary “houses,” has not only birthed iconic dance moves but has also seeped into mainstream fashion and music. Artists like Madonna, Beyoncé, and FKA Twigs have drawn heavily from this world, paying homage to its style and energy. Shows like Pose have brought ballroom to the masses, but long before that, queer nightlife was shaping trends in music, fashion, and performance art.

The techno and house scenes, born from marginalized queer communities, have also had a profound impact, creating spaces where self-expression reigns supreme. These genres have trickled into mainstream music, influencing everything from club hits to avant-garde electronic experimentation.

Promotional still from Pose, courtesy of FX Networks

The Evolution of LGBTQ+ Representation in Music Videos

Music videos have become one of the most powerful ways to visually represent queer identity. Take Hayley Kiyoko, often referred to as “Lesbian Jesus” by her fans, whose video for "Girls Like Girls" provided a rare and authentic portrayal of queer teenage love. This type of representation is a game changer, showing young LGBTQ+ audiences reflections of themselves in media. Similarly, Lil Nas X’s "MONTERO" uses striking, often controversial visuals to explore themes of queer liberation, while artists like Sam Smith have used their videos to explore gender fluidity.

Queer Storytelling in Cinema and TV

Queer Filmmakers Leading the Way

Visionary directors like Gregg Araki, Pedro Almodóvar, and Xavier Dolan have transformed queer narratives from subcultural conversations to widespread mainstream discourse. Araki’s films, such as "The Living End" and "Mysterious Skin", unapologetically tackle queer life, sexuality, and identity through the lens of indie filmmaking, often with a rebellious, anarchic spirit. Pedro Almodóvar brought vivid, emotionally charged depictions of LGBTQ+ characters into the mainstream with films like "All About My Mother" and "Bad Education", combining his distinct visual style with narratives exploring desire, gender, and identity. Xavier Dolan, known for films like "Mommy" and "I Killed My Mother", has contributed deeply personal, often emotionally raw stories that place LGBTQ+ experiences front and center, challenging societal norms around family, sexuality, and self-expression.

Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke in 'Strange Way of Life. 'Sony Pictures Classics via Rolling Stone

The Mainstreaming of Queer TV Shows

Queer representation on TV has shifted from subtle hints and stereotypes to powerful, nuanced stories that reflect the complexity of LGBTQ+ lives. Shows like "Pose" have redefined television, offering a groundbreaking portrayal of New York’s ballroom culture and the lives of Black and Latinx trans women. "Sex Education", meanwhile, integrates queer narratives into its broader exploration of teenage sexuality, weaving in stories of LGBTQ+ relationships, coming out, and self-discovery with humor and authenticity. These shows don’t just feature queer characters—they place them at the heart of the narrative, promoting greater visibility and pushing the boundaries of what mainstream audiences expect from television.

Image Source: Promotional still from Sex Education, courtesy of Netflix

Subversive Queer Themes in Blockbuster Films

Queer themes often appear in more subtle or subtextual forms in blockbuster films, and yet they resonate powerfully with audiences. Films like "The Matrix" have long been discussed for their trans allegories, with directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski later confirming that the film’s themes of self-identity and transformation were heavily influenced by their own experiences. Similarly, "Call Me by Your Name" brought a beautifully crafted queer love story into the realm of popular cinema, demonstrating that intimate, emotionally rich queer narratives could hold mass appeal. These films show how queer stories, even when not explicitly foregrounded, carry deep cultural resonance and impact, opening up new spaces for LGBTQ+ visibility in mainstream media.

Performance Art and Dance: The Queer Body in Motion

Queer Choreographers Redefining the Stage

Queer choreographers like Trajal Harrell and Stephen Petronio are reshaping the boundaries of dance, using movement to explore identity, gender, and societal norms. Trajal Harrell is known for blending the worlds of postmodern dance and the ballroom scene in works like “Twenty Looks or Paris is Burning at The Judson Church,” which juxtaposes voguing with contemporary dance, challenging ideas of high and low culture. Stephen Petronio, on the other hand, integrates visceral movement with personal and political narratives, often addressing queer identity and AIDS activism in his performances. Their work not only deconstructs traditional dance forms but also uses the body as a site of resistance and expression, breaking down societal expectations surrounding gender and sexuality.

The Ballroom Scene

The influence of voguing and the ballroom scene is undeniable in both dance and pop culture. Originating in the LGBTQ+ Black and Latinx communities, ballroom culture gave rise to voguing—a dance form characterized by sharp, angular movements and runway-inspired poses. It wasn’t long before voguing broke into mainstream culture, most famously through Madonna’s hit song “Vogue”, which introduced the wider world to the style’s elegance and power. Beyond the pop world, voguing has made its mark in performance art and high fashion, with houses like Mugler drawing inspiration from ballroom aesthetics. Ballroom’s cultural impact goes deeper than just dance—it is a celebration of identity, resilience, and community in the face of marginalization.

Queer Performance Art as Protest

LGBTQ+ performance art has long been intertwined with activism. From the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, when artists like Ron Athey and David Wojnarowicz used their bodies to protest government indifference and societal stigma, to contemporary performances that challenge restrictive gender norms, queer art has served as both a form of expression and a tool for resistance. Performances such as the AIDS Memorial Quilt serve not only as artistic expressions of grief but as public declarations of visibility. These acts of performance often confront issues like violence, marginalization, and erasure, turning stages, streets, and public spaces into platforms for queer liberation.

AIDS Memorial Quilt displayed on the National Mall, courtesy of the NAMES Project Foundation.

The Ever-Expanding Influence of Queer Culture

Queer culture has always been about pushing boundaries, smashing outdated ideas around gender, identity, and expression, and claiming space where it was once denied. From visionary filmmakers and designers to the fierce voices shaping music and performance, queer creators aren't just challenging norms—they’re redefining what art even looks like. Their work is more than just visually stunning or sonically bold; it’s a form of resistance, a declaration of identity, and a celebration of community. Whether it's subversive films, jaw-dropping runway moments, or transformative performance art, queer contributions have completely shifted the cultural landscape.

As the world moves toward greater inclusivity, queer artists are at the forefront, making us rethink what it means to express ourselves. They challenge us to celebrate difference and embrace new ways of experiencing the human condition. For these artists, art isn’t just about creating something beautiful—it’s about speaking truth, raising a fist, and telling stories that have been silenced for too long. The lines they’re crossing today? That’s just the beginning. They’re laying the foundation for future generations to continue disrupting what we consider “normal” and pushing creativity into radical new territories.

Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to show up for queer artists—whether it’s by going to their exhibitions, streaming their films, or sharing their work on social media. Every bit of support fuels this ongoing cultural revolution. Let’s celebrate the ways queer culture is rewriting the rules of art and creativity, ensuring its impact continues to grow and thrive.


Sources:

Art and Photography:

Fashion:

Music:

Film and TV:

Performance Art and Dance:

Barry Brandon
Previous

Bob’s Dance Shop: Celebrating Queer Identity and Community Building 
Next

IAMICONIQA Art Book