Into the 1980's
The early 1980’s saw an expansion of openly LGBTQ artists recording on small labels and beginning to record on larger more mainstream labels.
The growth of music videos provided additional venues for greater visiblity through the depiction of LGBTQ life, like Olivia Newton-John’s 1981 “Physical,” Bronski Beat’s 1984 “Smalltown Boy,” and Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s 1984 “Relax.” While words of these songs did not contain specifically gay content, the videos did.
Physical, Olivia Newton John (Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick)
Smalltown Boy, Bronski Beat (James William Somerville / Larry Steinbacheck / Steve Bronski)
Relax, Frankie Goes to Hollywood (Ivo Moring). This version of the video was originally banned by the BBC and MTV.