Rebels with a Cause: How Glam Rock's Legacy is Still Felt 50 Years Later

Glam rock was born in 1970s England. In short, it was a movement defined by male musicians wearing flamboyant, feminine clothing, make-up, and dramatic hairstyles — often featuring platform shoes and glitter — while female musicians frequently adopted traditionally masculine attire.

It sparked new discussions around gender and androgyny, paving the way for future movements such as Punk and New Romanticism, as well as shaping contemporary conceptions of masculinity, femininity, and sexuality. Its influence crossed the Atlantic, reaching artists like Alice Cooper and Lou Reed in the United States — and even leaving its mark in Brazil.

Glam rock is the child of the 1969 Stonewall Riots and the Summer of Love; grandchild of Little Richard and Chuck Berry. The riots were a response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City — an event widely regarded as a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Glam rock emerged in the 1970s and gained momentum with David Bowie and The Hype's concert at the Roundhouse in London, where they performed in the outlandish outfits that would soon become synonymous with the genre’s aesthetic.

A year later, on 11 March 1971, T. Rex appeared on the popular television programme Top of the Pops, performing Hot Love while lead singer Marc Bolan wore glitter tears beneath his eyes. Slade, the most commercially successful band of this period, also fully embraced the glam rock image.

These subversions within glam rock helped cultivate fertile ground for LGBTQ+ individuals. The movement played a vital role in fostering visibility, acceptance, and empowerment. By challenging heteronormative norms, celebrating diversity, and providing a platform for queer expression and representation, glam rock paved the way for greater acceptance and understanding within society.

Glam rock's theatricality, extravagance, and androgyny resonated deeply with LGBTQ+ individuals, who found empowerment and liberation in the genre’s rejection of traditional gender norms and its embrace of fluidity.

Glam rock performers like Freddie Mercury and Brian Eno blurred the lines between masculine and feminine identities through their fashion choices, stage personas, and makeup.

The lyrics and themes of glam rock often explored taboo subjects related to sexuality, identity, and self-expression. Songs like Bowie’s "Starman" and T. Rex’s "20th Century Boy" conveyed messages of sexual liberation and nonconformity, resonating deeply with LGBTQ+ listeners who found solace and validation in the music.

Moreover, the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere of glam rock concerts and clubs provided LGBTQ+ individuals with spaces where they could express themselves without fear of judgment or persecution. These venues became vital hubs of LGBTQ+ culture and community, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity among fans of the genre.

David Bowie: British Chameleon

David Bowie made his debut in the early 1960s, drawing from a broad range of influences within the rock 'n' roll genre. However, he gained significant attention with the release of his self-titled debut album, David Bowie, in 1967.

The album featured the iconic song "Space Oddity," which became Bowie’s first hit single. In the following decade, he fully embraced his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, with the release of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars in 1972, solidifying his status as a major figure in the glam rock movement.

Bowie earned the nickname 'the rock's greatest chameleon' for his remarkable ability to reinvent himself and push the boundaries of both music and fashion, never blending in with the crowd.

Off-stage, David Bowie was known for his bold, unapologetic, and candid demeanor in interviews, especially when discussing topics related to his sexuality and identity. This stood in stark contrast to the conservative mainstream media, which often sensationalised his ambiguous statements about his sexuality in the 1970s.

Throughout his career, Bowie fearlessly challenged societal norms and openly discussed his own experiences with sexuality and gender. In doing so, he shattered stereotypes and fostered greater acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals. Bowie emerged as a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance, paving the way for future generations and non-binary present ones.

His legacy continues to inspire artists and activists to embrace their authentic selves, speak out against injustice, and remain politically engaged — even nearly a decade after his passing.

Ney Matogrosso: Brazilian Anolis Verde

Despite the denial of its supporters, in Brazil, amidst the 21-year-long military dictatorship — marked by authoritarianism, human rights abuses, political persecution, exile, and censorship — there remains a silence surrounding this atrocious chapter in Brazilian history. It left many victims with physical harm, psychological trauma, social scars, disappearance, torture, and death, with some even having their professional lives destroyed.

Even so, there was a cultural boom, with art playing a crucial role in humanity's resistance. The aesthetics and sound of glam rock inspired artists like Rita Lee, Raul Seixas, and Ney Matogrosso, whose identities were shaped by a fusion of the British genre and Brazilian Popular Music (MPB).

Ney Matogrosso led the band Secos & Molhados, challenging traditional gender norms by embracing androgyny. With a flamboyant stage persona and a distinctive appearance marked by elaborate costumes, makeup, and stage antics, the band blurred the lines between masculinity and femininity. Matogrosso consistently used his body as a form of artistic expression during their performances.

Their music often explored taboo subjects such as sexuality, identity, and social justice. The lyrics, penned by poet and songwriter João Ricardo, conveyed messages of rebellion, liberation, and social critique, resonating deeply with audiences seeking artistic expression and authenticity through songs like "Sangue Latino," "Rosa de Hiroshima," and "O Vira."

Moreover, many of their songs challenged the military dictatorship’s censorship by using metaphors and veiled critiques in their lyrics. Several of the group’s songs are adaptations of poems by renowned Brazilian writers, reflecting strong political engagement. The band also incorporated elements of popular culture and counterculture into their music.

Its aesthetics was considered by many as an affront to the moral standards of conservative Brazilian society. Although the group did not explicitly oppose the military regime, its lyrics and performances were interpreted as subversive. Despite this, the band achieved immediate success.

The Continental record label initially produced only 1,500 copies of the album, underestimating its potential. However, after an impactful performance on the TV show Fantástico on Rede Globo, demand skyrocketed. In just two months, more than 300,000 copies were sold, and by the end of 1973, the figure had surpassed 1 million — a historic milestone for the Brazilian recording industry.

As openly queer performers, members of Secos & Molhados played a pivotal role in LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in Brazil. At a time when LGBTQ+ individuals faced widespread discrimination and persecution, the band provided a platform for queer expression and solidarity, inspiring others to embrace their identities and challenge societal norms. Despite disbanding in the mid-1970s, Secos & Molhados' legacy continues to resonate with audiences today.

It marked the beginning of Ney Matogrosso’s journey to stardom, with 50 years of career in 2025, ultimately earning him the title of greatest Latin American singer of all time by Rolling Stone. Ney Matogrosso could be considered our chameleon, with or without his band.

Throughout his career, Ney Matogrosso has demonstrated remarkable versatility as an artist, collaborating with a diverse range of musicians and exploring a wide variety of musical genres and styles. His powerful performances and eclectic musical style — blending elements of rock, pop, MPB, and world music — have earned him critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. His persona is the essence of Glam Rock with Brazilian borogodó.

Off-stage, Ney Matogrosso’s openness about his experiences as a queer artist has made him a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility in Brazil. Growing up with a military-homophobic patriarch, the theatre stage became his path to freedom and happiness.

Now, his story is on the Brazilian silver screen with Homem com H (Esmir Filho, 2025). His trajectory remains highly relevant in contemporary Brazil. Despite having LGBT+ friendly laws, the country's inadequate public safety continues to affect the community, with a violent death of an LGBTQIA+ person occurring every 34 hours.

Glam Rock's Legacy

Glam rock laid the groundwork for future genres like Punk and New Romanticism, both of which pushed boundaries even further in terms of gender, sexuality, and artistic expression. Punk embraced a raw, anti-establishment ethos, which rejected the conventionalities of gender roles and traditional sexuality like The Clash and Sex Pistols. While New Romanticism blended flamboyant, glam-inspired fashion with an embrace of androgyny, sensuality, and self-expression like George Boy.

The 2010s and 2020s have been transformative decades for non-binary representation in pop music. Some examples are Demi Lovato, Janelle Monáe, and Sam Smith. This is a growing movement within the entertainment industry where non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals are gaining visibility and recognition.

They are not only gaining commercial success but are also influencing public perceptions of gender and identity.  Their openness contributes to a broader cultural shift towards understanding and accepting diverse gender identities.  This change also reflects broader societal movements advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and representation.