Zeki Müren is the queer icon and musical star you have probably never heard of.
Though he is not widely known outside Turkey, Müren is considered Turkey’s David Bowie for his extraordinary musical talent as well as his fluid approach to gender, challenging societal norms. Müren is a historical figure and cultural phenomenon whose influence extends beyond music into gender expression and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals.
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Müren was born in 1931 in the western Turkish city of Bursa, and his career as a musician spanned decades, recording hundreds of songs throughout his career. He began singing at the incredibly young age of three and gained prominence when he entered a music competition in college in 1950. Muren ranked number one out of 186 contestants.
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Müren blended traditional Turkish music with a more modern sound. He also gained popularity through live performances on the radio. Muren also worked in television and film, where he would only play characters that shared his name.
His artistic pursuits even extended to textiles. Muren studied decorative arts in Istanbul at the Fine Arts Academy while launching his musical career, where he designed beautiful rugs.
Müren was known as the “Sun of Art” and “Pasha” and was beloved across Turkey. He was the first singer in the Muslim-majority country to receive a gold certification in Turkey.
He never married, and while it was widely assumed that he was gay, he never explicitly commented on his sexuality. He was private when it came to his personal life.
Instead, Muren chose to live authentically, wearing clothing that blurred the lines between masculinity and femininity. He often appeared on stage in elaborate, flamboyant outfits, some of which included makeup and feminine elements. According to Hurriyet Daily News, he was among the first men to wear a skirt on stage in Turkey—a bold statement at the time, given the country’s conservative social attitudes.
Müren’s legacy is one of courage, artistry, and defiance. At a time when queer visibility was rare, especially in a socially conservative environment, Muren’s openness about his gender expression, in both in his art and his wardrobe, made him a role model for those who felt marginalized or misunderstood. Even after his death in 1996, his music and image continue to inspire new generations in Turkey and globally.
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