Chappell Roan & LGBTQ+ Visibility
December 11 2024
You’ve probably heard of Chappell by now. Chappell, as in Chappell-Roan. She’s a singer-songwriter from the United States whose fame has skyrocketed since her song, “Good Luck, Babe!” went viral. The hype surrounding her latest album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” was well-founded. The lyrics are not only catchy but also tell a story. They include themes such as oppression and difficult romantic relationships, as well as finding yourself, achieving your goals, and more. Roan’s openness about her lesbian identity is another reason why her music resonates with me, and I believe it resonates with teens around the world. Her honesty and storytelling make her a powerful representative for LGBTQ+ individuals. Roan’s music gives us a way to be seen, heard, and understood. It is empowering for LGBTQ+ teens to have public figures they can look up to. They will feel more empowered to share their experiences and be advocates for themselves. Good Luck, Babe! It also refers to compulsory heterosexuality. This is the idea that people are forced into heterosexuality regardless of whether they fit the identity. These ideas can be very prevalent, and they can have a profound effect on teens as they figure out what their wants and needs are. The song is sad, wistful, maybe angry over a lost love, but not towards the person who was afraid to come out. Roan is instead expressing her anger at societal pressures to be heterosexual, while, at the same time, saying that you need to know your worth in any relationship.
The Importance of LGBTQ+ Representation
“Good Luck, Babe!” is not the only song of Roan’s that discusses such relatable and important topics (for LGBTQ+ folks and beyond). Her album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” explores concepts from learning to be proud of who you are despite what others think of you (“Pink Pony Club”) to the experience of falling in love with a person when they just want a casual relationship (“Casual”).
LGBTQ+ representation in media like pop music is crucial to informing and helping people be more accepting. Chappell’s contribution has been incalculable. Roan’s music helps counteract stereotypical, objectifying portrayals of lesbians in media such as film and music. Roan’s music helps to counter stereotypical and objectifying portrayals of lesbians in media, including music and film.
