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Sam Smith comes out, Laura Jane Grace speaks out and so much more.

21 Major LGBT Moments In Music This Year, And Why They Mattered In 2014 More Than Ever

The past 12 month saw unprecedented acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. From "How To Get Away With Murder" on the small screen to Laverne Cox on the cover of TIME, from Michael Sam on the football field to the 17 states where pro-marriage equality legislation passed, 2014 was a banner year for LGBT inclusion, visibility and representation.

And those changes were reflected in the music world, as well. The year was packed with major moments for LGBT artists and LGBT fans alike. Let's review 21 of those major moments below.