Greta Van Fleet frontman Josh Kiszka comes out as queer & blasts anti-LGBTQ+ laws

Josh Kiszka, the frontman of the rock band Greta Van Fleet, has come out publicly as queer in a social media post blasting Tennessee’s recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

On Tuesday, the singer took to Instagram, posting a photo of himself performing onstage surrounded by rainbow lights.

Related:

Biden administration sues Tennessee over trans gender-affirming care ban

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state, saying that the law violates transgender people’s Equal Protection rights.

“Where I’ve settled a home in Tennessee, legislators are proposing bills that threaten the freedom of love,” Kiszka wrote. “It’s imperative that I speak my truth for not only myself, but in hopes to change hearts, minds, and laws in Tennessee and beyond.”

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A post shared by Josh M. Kiszka (@joshmkiszka)

Earlier this year, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R) signed a law banning doctors in the state from providing gender-affirming care to anyone under 18, as well as a law intended to restrict drag performance in the presence of minors.

The anti-drag law was the first of its kind passed in a U.S. state. In early June, a federal judge ruled that the law was “unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad” and violated the First Amendment’s free speech protections. Tennessee Republicans have also passed a law banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports and have proposed a law that would provide a legal loophole to ban same-sex marriage.

“These issues are especially close to my heart,” Kiszka wrote in his Instagram post, “as I’ve been in a loving, same-sex relationship with my partner for the past 8 years.”

He added that while he has been out to those close to him, it was important to him to acknowledge his relationship publicly.

Earlier this week, the singer posted another photo of himself onstage with Greta Van Fleet, with rainbow stage lights shining behind him.

“Living is, in itself, a constant celebration of love and where there is love we must live on! And where there is not love we must provide it,” he wrote in the caption, leading many fans to interpret the post as a statement about LGBTQ+ rights.  

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A post shared by Josh M. Kiszka (@joshmkiszka)

“Over the years, the outpouring of love for the LGBTQ+ community has been resounding, but there is still work to be done for LGBTQ+ rights in TN, the nation, and the world,” Kiszka wrote in Tuesday’s post. “In response to the exceptional support from my last post, I wanted to share how we can all continue to advocate for this valiant cause.”

He listed the Instagram handles of several LGBTQ+ rights organizations, including HRC Nashville, Inclusion Tennessee, and the Trevor Project.

“The LGBTQ+ community is a cultural pillar, constantly championing positivity and acceptance through art, music, literature, film, and most importantly, legislation,” Kiszka wrote. “The greatest mortal gift of all is our capacity to love and as we travel through time, may our greater understanding of the matter around and within us teach us to love ever deeper.”