Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale recently discussed the impact of being openly bisexual in the rock music industry and her goal to be a role model for her queer fans, in an interview with Lavender Magazine.
Hale reflected on how rock music provided her with acceptance that she didn’t find elsewhere during her youth.
“I didn’t necessarily fit in with the girl crowd and all of the music they were listening to, and I’d be trying to introduce them to the stuff that I was into, and they weren’t having that,” Hale said. “Rock and roll and heavy music doesn’t care about who you like to kiss. It truly doesn’t matter here. So I think, for me, from a very early age, that’s where I saw myself.”
The singer also shared her experience of coming out publicly and the positive response she received from fans.
“[At the time when I came out], I said something like, ‘Well, y’know, as a bisexual…’ and it was like, ‘Oh, really?’ and I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, I guess I haven’t really talked about that,'” she continued. “But it’s given me so much more than it’s taken away. I get so much love, and there is so much trust that so many of our fans put in me.”
Hale emphasized her desire to serve as a supportive figure for young people struggling with their identity.
“I think about when I was a young, confused kid, and I wish that I had had somebody to talk to,” she said. “Even if they didn’t understand, to at least be like, ‘Hey, I’m at your side.’ I think my 13-year-old self would be very proud that I can be one of those people for even complete strangers, you know?”
Hale’s openness about her sexuality represents a significant moment in rock music’s ongoing evolution toward greater LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance.
95.9 The RAT reported that Hale officially came out as bisexual in 2022 during an AMA session, though she had previously hinted at her sexuality on Twitter in 2015. The singer grew up in a semi-Christian household where she initially hid her bisexuality due to feelings that it was “inherently wrong.” She eventually embraced her identity through music and by leaving organized religion to find her “tribe.”
Since publicly acknowledging her bisexuality, Hale’s role in the genre has shifted in meaningful ways. GO Magazine noted that her audience has grown more diverse and Halestorm shows have become safer spaces for women and LGBTQ+ fans in a traditionally male-dominated genre. The frontwoman has shared stories of trans teens finding inspiration at their concerts, demonstrating the real-world impact of her visibility.
Hale’s journey has also influenced Halestorm’s recent musical output. WCSX revealed that her partner’s supportive response to her coming out – “he fell in love with me because of all the things I am” – has influenced themes on their latest album “Everest,” which topped the UK Rock & Metal chart in 2025. The band has incorporated tracks exploring female empowerment and queer themes, including songs like “Like a Woman Can,” which explores bisexual awakening.
The Grammy-winning band formed in 1997 with Hale’s brother Arejay on drums. It continues to build on their success while championing inclusivity. Halestorm made history in 2013 as the first female-fronted band to win a Grammy in the Hard Rock/Metal category for “Love Bites (So Do I).” Their recent achievements include touring with Iron Maiden, headlining at The O2, and participating in the “Back To The Beginning” festival alongside Black Sabbath and Metallica. This proves that authenticity and commercial success can go hand in hand in the rock world.
