Singer-songwriter Heather Mae releases pop-sonic queer anthem “Kissing Girls” » LIVING LIFE

Based in Nashville and award-winning Singer-songwriter and activist Heather Mae has released her latest single, “Kissing Girls.” The songwriter finally shares her coming out story. It’s a narrative shared by many queer people, especially those from southern, conservative or religious backgrounds.

Mae remembers her first kiss, her first love, her first heartbreak – each time with a girl. She confesses: “Growing up in the church and the evangelical movement, all I knew were the LGBTQ+ people who were kicked out for being queer. Even though I had a crush on a girl at first, I hid the truth about what that meant to protect myself from losing my entire community. That’s why visibility is so important to me.”

On Kissing Girls, Heather Mae fearlessly bares her soul, creating an intimate space of shared vulnerability for her listeners. Her unbridled honesty, both on and off the stage, has earned her a loyal fan base and recognition, including accolades such as winning the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriter Showcase and the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Artist-Activist of the Year award.

On the eve of the post-pandemic release of her upcoming double album, Mae has embarked on a mission to address the stark gender inequality among music producers—just 4% are women. In 2023, Heather Mae assembled a dynamic collective of women and nonbinary talent in Nashville, bringing together luminaries such as producers ZDAN and Lollies, as well as guest artists such as Grammy-winning musician Allison Russell and the extraordinary duo Sistastrings.

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