Singer-Songwriter Jill Sobule Dies in House Fire at 66

Jill Sobule, the trailblazing bisexual singer-songwriter best known for her 1995 hit 'I Kissed a Girl,' died at age 66 in a house fire in Minnesota. Sobule was widely recognized for her pioneering role in LGBTQ representation in pop music, with 'I Kissed a Girl' being the first explicitly queer song to reach the Top 20 of Billboard’s Modern Rock chart. Her legacy includes a career spanning over ten studio albums, advocacy for LGBTQ rights, and the Drama Desk-nominated musical memoir 'F*ck 7th Grade.' Tributes from LGBTQ leaders and music venues highlighted her courage in addressing sexuality and identity honestly in her work, helping pave the way for future queer artists. Sobule's songs tackled a wide range of topics with wit and authenticity, and her influence endures through her art and activism. Memorials and posthumous releases, including a cast recording of her musical and a 30th-anniversary edition of her breakthrough album, are planned to honor her legacy.