LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 21 Jun 20 - 09:35 AM

Johnny Cunningham was so laid back about almost everything that it would never have occurred to me that he'd have cared about who knew or guessed. Did he?

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Johnny J
Date: 21 Jun 20 - 07:37 AM

I agree with Kenny here.

Jack himself said "he never talked about it" . So either it was never true or Johnny didn't want people to know if it was.
In that case, why bring it up now?

Hamish is a different matter. He didn't worry in more recent years about people being aware of his sexuality although he would obviously felt differently in less enlightened times.

Basically, I'm a little uncomfortable about this thread. If someone who is in the public eye has openly come out as gay or is/has been comfortable with people being aware of the fact, then there's not the samr issue. However, we shouldn't be "outing" people who are either dead or alive.

Also, even those musicians who are gay don't necessarily want the whole world to know who their partners are and/or or their living arrangements. Same goes for the majority of heterosexual people too.
However, privacy is no longer respected in this day and age.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jun 20 - 06:43 AM

Roy Bailey "came out" in later life. Did both trad and contemporary extremely well.

Mary Asquith had a large lesbian following but not don't know if she was herself.

Both very talented and sadly no longer with us.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 08:11 PM

What Jack said.

I have to wonder what century and types of people folks have to hang around with to think saying someone is/was LGBTQ is some sort of an insult. They're back in school playing "lets get the queers!" Your day is past. Hamish was bisexual. Big freakin' deal.

And this is a music thread. You want to pick fights, go to BS. Or just go. And additionally, Mudcat is not a place that protects sensitive souls from objectionable opinions. You can go, too, if that's what you want. "Hate" and "stupid" are completely different things.

I don't think there are a whole lot of overt traditional songs. I think a lot of the handsome-cabin-boy songs may have just disguised the trans-ness of said boy. Being a woman, I think it's more likely the protagonists just wanted to do the job, no matter what their orientation. I think looking for one's true love would get very old after the first couple of years. Of course, there's no proof any of those songs weren't simply fiction.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Joe G
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 06:50 PM

I assume you already know O'Hooley & Tidow and Grace Petrie? Their songs are contemporary and by no means all involve reference to LGBT+ issues but several do and they come at issues from experience in the community

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 05:35 PM

I didn't insult anybody. I am aware that some people (I know not who) didn't like having Hamish Henderson's sexuality made public; that was their problem. And if you think it's an insult now, get help.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 05:21 PM

So Campin is allowed to insult the memory of a great Scottish musician, and my complaint is deleted. I would appreciate an explanation, if that's not too much to politely request.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Helen
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 03:40 PM

Now that I think about it, Shakespeare's sonnets are interesting. Not folk, not songs, but from the early 1600's. If you read all the sonnets from start to finish there is a sort of story unfolding and there is speculation that Shakespeare developed feelings for the young man to whom he addresses many of the sonnets.

One of my fave books.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Helen
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 03:25 PM

I don't know what genre Meg Christian would be categorised under, but she is a singer/songwriter whose sexuality is central to her music.

I bought one of her vinyl albums back in the '70's and loved it. Beautiful music, beautiful arrangements and beautiful songs.

I doubt whether you will find much in the traditional folk songs because it was never talked about openly, and never accepted in open society.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 10:19 AM

Lesbian, folksinger and much more.

Maria Elena Walsh

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 08:16 AM

An important one I forgot about: Hamish Henderson was bisexual. This seems to have been helpful to his collecting, giving him an angle on male-only spaces like the army that nobody else exploited.

There must have been lesbian song collectors too.

I think Johnny Cunningham was bisexual too - met him a few times but he never talked about it.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 06:05 AM

You might want to try contacting the organiser of the “Queer Folk Session on Zoom” (see link below) that was announced on Facebook. It looks as though it was held on May 23rd and June 6th, I don’t know if there have been any more or if any more are planned. Link

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jun 20 - 05:08 AM

Try Maddie Morris, the current BBC Young Folk Award holder. She sings both traditional and newly written songs that relate to her own experience, and has put a lot of thought into how LGBT+ people are represented in tradition and how she can engage with it.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 06:47 PM

Doug's version of Parton's life story looks right. I wonder where the lesbian yarn came from?

I doubt Parton was mortally insulted by it.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 06:04 PM

Dolly Parton came out to marry her woman partner not long ago.

A quick Google search suggests that she is still married to her husband of 53 years, Carl Dean. The only references that I could find to her being gay, were rumours which have been denied.

DC

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 05:25 PM

Dolly Parton came out to marry her woman partner not long ago.

You might want to look up the "femminielli" of Vesuvius - they predate categories like "LGBT" by millennia, so don't expect your Anglo-American labels to fit. They are the focus of a lot of festive music like "tammuriata" dances.

There is a video on YouTube of a guy singing the start of the Epic of Gilgamesh in the original Sumerian. That's the world's oldest gay love story.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: GUEST,Rackabello
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 01:20 PM

Hey all, thanks for so many great suggestions!

In terms of who I'm familiar with, I came across Louisa Killen quite recently and really love her music. She had a beautiful voice. I also know of Peggy Seeger, Grace Petrie, O'Hooley and Tidow. I have come across others on the more singer-songwriter, pop, and indie side of things, but that's often not so much to my taste (I like more traditional music, or music with a bit of a distinctive character). Hence the thread.

Re. Jim on gender not mattering: it can matter to see people like yourself being accepted within a space, and it's good to connect with singers/musicians on that level too.

If anyone knows of any (traditional) folk songs with LGBT+ characters that would be particularly exciting for me! So far I can't think of one!

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Elmore
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 11:44 AM

Louis Killen made albums and did concerts with the Clancy Brothers minus Tommy Makem for 2-3 years starting in 1971.Sorry I even mentioned it in the first place.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 09:12 AM

Ashley McIsaac (Cape Breton fiddler)
Marit Falt and Rona Wilkie (Scandi/Scottish instrumental duo)
Ian Bruce (Scottish singer)

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 08:30 AM

Hi Jim
I seem to remember Louisa did perform with the Clancy's in New York before she came back to the UK. Big mates with Mike Waterson, both now sadly departed. Both had quite a lot of influence on my singing.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 08:28 AM

There were actually a couple lps released with the Clancy Brothers and Louis Killen. I knew Louisa, when she was still Louis, living and the US and it was mentioned.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 08:13 AM

Unless it becomes a problem - that is
Jim

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 08:12 AM

"formerly of the late Clancy Brothers"
Don't thinks so, he'd never have slipped under the wire with that Geordie accent
Great singer, at his best
Not sure a person's gender matters really
Jim

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 08:08 AM

Not really folk, idk if Fascinating Aida might have any relevant songs?
Adèle Anderson who writes a lot of the lyrics is transgender.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad%C3%A8le_Anderson


Rackabello, what/who are the songs or people you've already come across?

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 19 Jun 20 - 03:13 AM

I seem to recall that Ronnie Taheny (Aus/NZ) has written a few songs with LGBT content.

Try Gina Le Faux for traditional tunes.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jun 20 - 08:16 PM

I would've mentioned Mary Gauthier or the Indigo Girlscc. They're good, but they don't do traditional music.
I agree with Tim about the Vox Hunters. They're very informed, and enjoyable, and they love music.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: RTim
Date: 18 Jun 20 - 07:52 PM

Try The Vox Hunters...wonderful music and song....in Rhode Island and beyond!

https://thevoxhunters.com/

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Bainbo
Date: 18 Jun 20 - 07:44 PM

Some of Mary Gauthier’s songs, such as Drag Queens in Limousines, reflect her own experience.

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: Elmore
Date: 18 Jun 20 - 07:36 PM

There was Louisa Jo Killen, but she died. She sang the same songs, mostly traditional, as Louis (formerly of the late Clancy Brothers) Killen as far as I know.

Subject: ADD: Let the Rainbow Shine (Judy Small)
From: Helen
Date: 18 Jun 20 - 03:03 PM

An Australian singer songwriter Judy Small was well known in the '80's. She later became a judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and is now retired.

I saw her perform live a few times. She was brilliant, funny, inspiring, and a force to be reckoned with (in my opinion) about the issues she was passionate about.

Judy Small - Let the Rainbow Shine

LET THE RAINBOW SHINE
(Judy Small)

Let the rainbow shine, let the rainbow shine
At the end of the storm, let it light up the sky
No more hiding in fear, no more secrets and lies
We open our hearts and the rainbow shines.
Red for the blood, red for the shame
Red for the fire at the faggots flame
Red for the anger, red for the pain
Orange for a new day dawning
Orange for t he bitterness of hatred we know
Orange for the warmth of the fireside glow
Orange for the passion of love running wild
Yellow for the golden moments let the rainbow shine
repeat
Yellow for the cowards who won't understand
Yellow for the roses I place in your hand
Yellow for the citrus taste of goodbye
Green for the peace of a free soul
Green for the springtime green for the young
Green for the songs waiting to be sung
Green for the garden fresh from the rain
Blue for the sky on a clear day
let the rainbow shine
Blue for the grief and blue for the tears
Blue for the chill of the winters fears
Blue for the moonlight in my lovers eyes
Purple for the lilac flowers
Purple for the lavender ribbons we wear
Purple for the richness of moments we share
Purple for the sky at the end of the day
red for the blush of new love
Let the rainbow shine
repeat

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 18 Jun 20 - 02:38 PM

Phranc.. may be folkie enough...???

Subject: RE: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 18 Jun 20 - 01:31 PM

Try Janis Ian.

Subject: LGBT+ Folk Songs and Musicians?
From: GUEST,Rackabello
Date: 18 Jun 20 - 11:05 AM

As a queer transgender folkie myself, I'm curious as to whether there are many (out) LGBT+ folk musicians that someone here could point me to (esp. those who sing about LGBT+ experiences)? I know of only very few myself, but I'd find a great deal of value in discovering more. I'm also interested in songs about LGBT+ themes/characters (I love traditional narrative folk songs like child ballads, primarily), if anyone has any they know!