The nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards have just dropped, and it's clear the music industry is listening: our community is front and center. The 2026 list is a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ artists and allies, showcasing a powerful wave of queer talent across major categories. This isn't just a moment; it's a movement, and it's a fantastic sign of progress for visibility in one of the world's most influential cultural arenas.
The Queer Voices Leading the Pack
This year, it’s impossible to ignore the sheer number of openly queer artists nominated for music's highest honors. Here are some of the incredible talents we'll be rooting for:
Billie Eilish
A voice for a generation, Billie Eilish continues to captivate. Her candidness about identity and sexuality has made her a queer icon, and the Recording Academy has taken notice once again. She's up for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year for her track "Wildflower."
Chappell Roan
Bursting onto the scene with glitter, camp, and unapologetic queer joy, Chappell Roan has become a phenomenon. Her drag-inspired performances and anthems of queer love and self-discovery have earned her a well-deserved nomination for Record of the Year for "The Subway."
Doechii
Bold and brilliant, the openly queer Doechii is making waves in hip-hop and pop. Her raw honesty and dynamic artistry are on full display in "Anxiety," which has landed her nominations for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
More Power Players
- Cynthia Erivo: The queer actress and singer, known for her powerhouse vocals and advocacy, is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her duet with Ariana Grande on "Defying Gravity."
- Kehlani: An outspoken and beloved queer artist in the R&B world, Kehlani is recognized with nominations for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for "Folded."
- Destin Conrad: Another rising star amplifying queer voices in R&B, Destin Conrad is nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album with Love on Digital.
Key Nominations at a Glance
Here’s a look at some of the top categories. We've highlighted the LGBTQ+ artists and strong allies to watch!
Record of the Year
- “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
- “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
- “Anxiety” – Doechii
- “Wildflower” – Billie Eilish
- “Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga
- “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar with SZA
- “The Subway” – Chappell Roan
- “APT.” – Rosé, Bruno Mars
Album of the Year
- Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny
- Swag – Justin Bieber
- Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter
- Let God Sort ’Em Out – Clipse, Pusha T & Malice
- Mayhem – Lady Gaga
- GNX – Kendrick Lamar
- Mutt – Leon Thomas
- Chromakopia – Tyler, the Creator
Song of the Year
- “Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga
- “Anxiety” – Doechii
- “APT.” – Rosé, Bruno Mars
- “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
- “Golden [From “KPop Demon Hunters”]” – HUNTR/X
- “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar with SZA
- “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
- “Wildflower” – Billie Eilish
For a complete list of all 95 categories, you can visit the official Grammys website.
