LGBT+ inclusive nominations announced for the 60th Annual Grammy Awards

'2018 GRAMMY Nominees' album cover. Photo by the Recording Academy.

Nominations were announced this morning for the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, and the list includes several LGBT+ musicians and songwriters.

Singer/songwriter Andra Day revealed the nominees in the four major General Field categories (Best New Artist, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Album Of The Year) live on CBS This Morning.

Andra Day performs "Stand Up For Something" at the Hollywood Film Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel. Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP.

Among those four, out queer songwriter and GLAAD board member Justin Tranter received a songwriting nomination in the Song of the Year category for his work with good friend (and LGBT+ ally) Julia Michaels on her mega-hit Issues. Michaels was also nominated for Best New Artist.

Justin Tranter at the 65th annual BMI Pop Awards. Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP.

The Best Pop Solo Performance category will be one to watch this year, with bisexual artists Kesha and Lady Gaga both nominated, for Praying and Million Reasons. Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, and Ed Sheeran round out this category for Love So Soft, What About Us, and Shape of You.

Kesha at the MTV European Music Awards 2017. Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP.

"It is exciting to see groundbreaking LGBT+ artists like Lady Gaga, Kesha, Justin Tranter, Kehlani, and Shane McAnally recognized on the music industry's largest stage. They represent so many talented LGBT+ music artists who don’t receive the same recognition despite critical acclaim and widespread popularity,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. "As more and more artists and writers step forward and reflect the diverse identities and orientations of society, it’s important that the Recording Academy and the industry at large step up their game to recognize all worthy talent and performances.”

Lady Gaga performs during a hurricanes relief concert. AP Photo.

Kehlani, who has eschewed labels and had relationships with both men and women, was nominated for Best R&B Performance for Distraction.

Kehlani at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP.

In the Best Country Song category, out songwriter Shane McAnally was nominated twice. Once for Sam Hunt’s Body Like A Back Road and again for Drinkin' Problem, performed by Midland. Body Like A Back Road has become one of the most successful country songs of all time, breaking a number of records in its historic chart run.

Jay-Z was nominated in the Album of the Year category for 4:44; his mother, Gloria Carter, came out as a lesbian on the album’s third track, Smile.

LGBT+ ally Lorde was nominated in Album of the Year for her album Melodrama, which features a track Liability about same-sex love.

Jay-Z performs on the 4:44 Tour at Barclays Center. Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP.

LGBT+ advocates Imagine Dragons were nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Thunder, where they’ll compete against ally Alessia Cara for her featured work on the Zedd track, Stay. In the Best Pop Vocal Album category their new album, Evolve, will compete against Kesha’s Rainbow and Gaga’s Joanne.

In the Best Musical Theater Album category out songwriter Benj Pasek was nominated both as a producer and composer/lyricist along his ally songwriter partner, Justin Paul, for their work on Dear Evan Hanson.

They’ll compete in that category alongside longtime gay icon and ally Bette Midler, for her performance as a principal soloist in the revival of Hello, Dolly!

Benj Pasek, left, and Justin Paul pose in the press room the award for best original score (music and lyrics) written for the theatre for "Dear Evan Hansen" at the 71st annual Tony Awards. Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP.

Pasek and Paul were also nominated for the song City of Stars, from the soundtrack to the film La La Land, in the Best Song Written For Visual Media category.

They’ll compete against queer singer Sia, who’s nominated for Never Give Up from the film Lion. Out credited music supervisor Steven Gizicki was also nominated for his work on La La Land’s soundtrack.