Pride Month is officially here, and to celebrate, Billboard Latin has compiled a list of 11 LGBTQ Latin artists we’re currently obsessed with. But before we introduce the 2023 Latin Pride list, let’s trace back to some of the artists who had long kept their sexual identities a secret and became a new beacon of hope for the new generation of artists.

Most notably, Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin became one of the first mainstream Latin stars to come out in 2010. “I am very proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man,” he expressed in an open letter that he wrote on his website.

A couple of years prior, RBD member Christian Chávez used the group’s website to express that he “was not prepared to speak in fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and its consequences,” but that it was “time to grow up, not only as a human being but also as an artist.” In the lengthy letter, he asked his fans to not judge him for his honesty and to feel proud of who they are. 

In addition to Martin and Chávez’s act of bravery, other Latin stars used social media to share their personal stories. Fifth Harmony alum Lauren Jauregui, for example, penned an open letter on Billboard during the 2016 presidential election, where she talked about her sexuality: “I am a bisexual Cuban-American woman and I am so proud of it. I am proud to be part of a community that only projects love and education and the support of one another.”

Earlier that year, Latin pop crooner Kany García revealed that she was in a relationship with another woman on Instagram, while acts such as Raymix and Pablo Alboran opened up as well during the 2020 global pandemic. 

“It’s like if I had taken a ton off my shoulders,” the former said during the Coming Out Latin panel at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Week. “I can now sing how I really feel and change the lyrics to make my love interest male instead of female. Also, I’m not the only one on the planet that’s living this and that’s the beautiful part about this all. If I was able to do it, you can too. Be free and enjoy life because we’re not here forever.”

Below, check out a new generation of LGBTQ stars: