Gay Pride: Girls

In a male-dominated world, these are the queens who should be kings. These ladies have managed to carve a substantial slice of musical history with their tortured-yet-true voices of protest and lore, touched with a tone of joyous and defiant celebration. Here are 25 prime examples.

The royal lineage continues with these next pearls of feminine strength, as women strive towards acceptance and independence hand-in-hand and arm-in-arm with their sisters, who are also their families — if not by law, then within their hearts.

As we look toward the horizon, a new breed of fighter has emerged who is willing to put her voice on the line. As this new woman struggles for an equal foothold, she won't be denied the natural love she feels for one another woman as she expresses herself in songs such as these right here.

Empires can be built and burned. Presidents and kings can command the loyalty of millions. But nothing is quite as powerful as the unbreakable bond between two women in love. These tracks are the best from the female singer/songwriters and rock goddesses who have written countless odes to the love between ladies.