Pride is more than a month. It’s a mantra. A time to not only celebrate the LGBTQ+ community but also to remember how we have come.

When thinking of LGBTQ+ anthems, one may think of the grandiose divas that still fill nightclubs today. However, while those songs do deserve their place in history, in our minds, and in our hearts, we’ve compiled a tally that represents various eras of music. From the likes of Beyonce to Madonna to Chappell Roan to Orville Peck, and more.

So, join us below to see our refreshed list of R&B jams and sugar-Pop bops made the cut for Pride 2024.

RuPaul – Supermodel (You Better Work)

Before “Sashay” and “shantay” were synonymous with LGBT icon RuPaul and the hit drag competition series ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ the phrases were prominently featured in ‘Supermodel (You Better Work)’ – the first major-label single from his 1993 album ‘Supermodels of the World.’ Easily one of the 90’s best dance offerings, ‘Supermodel’ was groundbreaking for the scope of its almost unprecedented representation of LGBT people of color. And while the tune tributes the heyday of the supermodels (i.e. Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and more), Ru was front and center for the entirety of the Randy Barbato-directed video – showcasing looks that could arguably rival those of the women he was singing about. Nearly 30 years later, ‘You Better Work’ remains a call to action to everyone who wants to show off their stuff on the dancefloor and runway. But for the LGBT community, it’s an anthem.

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Beyonce – Break My Soul

Queen Beyonce’s entire ‘Renaissance’ album made no secret of the fact that it was a love letter to the LGBTQ community – sonically, visually, and thematically.

And while the LP boasts a kaleidoscope of soundscapes within this sphere, its lead single ‘Break My Soul’ best embodies the reason for the season: powering through adversity to celebrate the resilience that is our central engine.

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Destiny’s Child – Survivor

While the magic in DC’s ‘Survivor has long been its universal appeal, there’s no denying its lyrical resonance within the LGBTQ community.

For, as much as Pride is about celebration, it’s also about resilience and overcoming – both of which the song represents in earnest. It’s an anthem and an affirmation and one that is oh so apt for this season.

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Lil Nas X – That’s What I Want

While Lil Nas X waves the flag for LGBTQ Pride on a daily basis, he truly elevated himself and the movement with the release of ‘That’s What I Want.’

Like most, we love the 25-year-old for his colorful flamboyance and unapologetic commitment to being himself each and every time. However, with this specific song, he did what has so rarely been “allowed” in the entertainment space: he humanized queer love.

In unpacking a layered and complicated narrative, Nas shone a light on the very simple desire of queer folk to experience love – just like everyone else.

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Dolly Parton – Baby I’m Burnin’

There is a lot to be said about the Queen of Country’s disco era – mainly, it being scattershot at best – but it did give us the absolute gem of ‘Baby I’m Burnin.’ Designed to light up a room, ‘Baby I’m Burnin’ is classic Dolly, in other words, legendary.

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Madonna – Vogue

What would any Pride tally be without this legendary Madonna jam?

An enduring beacon of a movement that birthed so much for so many, this enduring anthem is more than a song. It’s a cultural landmark.

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Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe

‘Good Lucky, Babe’ by Chappell Roan shines as an LGBT anthem with its empowering lyrics and infectious melody. Roan’s vibrant energy and heartfelt storytelling celebrate love and individuality, resonating deeply with the LGBT community. This track is a jubilant declaration of pride and self-acceptance, making it a must-hear anthem!

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Orville Peck and Willie Nelson – Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other

‘Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other’  by Orville Peck and Willie Nelson is a poignant LGBT anthem. Its tender lyrics and soulful melodies challenge stereotypes, celebrating hidden love and acceptance. Peck and Nelson’s heartfelt performance beautifully conveys the song’s message, making it a timeless ode to LGBT pride and courage.

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Jennifer Lopez – Tens (ft. Jack Mizrahi)

J.Lo has unquestionably stood as a longtime advocate for the LGBTQ community and conjured up bops that have kept the gworls moving for almost three decades.

‘Tens,’ a rare gem from her 2014 album ‘AKA,’ sees the singer serve up an unapologetic voguing anthem that demands that all report to the dancefloor.

From its request for ” legends, statements, and stars” to its designer namechecks to its nod to ballroom culture, this is an almighty bop and an underrated one too.

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What do you think of That Grape Juice’s Essential LGBTQ+ Celebration Songs?

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