Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter famed for her sapphic 1995 track “I Kissed a Girl”, has died in a fire, her publicist has confirmed.

Publicist David Elkin confirmed the American singer‘s death on Thursday (1 May) via an email, as per AP News. The outlet reported that Sobule died in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. Sobule was 66 years old.

“Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture,” her manager, John Porter, wrote in a statement. “I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client & a friend today. I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”

LGBTQ+ media advocacy organisation GLAAD said in a statement that it is “devastated to hear of the loss of queer icon Jill Sobule”.

“She was beloved by so many and a true creative talent who opened doors for women and LGBTQ people in music,” GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said. 

“She was a close friend of mine and a warrior when women, and the world, needed one. She literally created a path for queer people and women in music. And her legacy will live on forever.”

Her booking agent, Craig Grossman, added in a statement: “No one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond.”

During her three-decade-long career, Sobule released 12 albums. Her music addressed thought-provoking topics, including anorexia nervosa, the death penalty, reproduction and queer issues.

She launched her first album, “Things Here Are Different”, in 1990 and went on to receive critical acclaim for her hit singles “Supermodel”, which was featured in the iconic rom-com Clueless. Her groundbreaking track, “I Kissed A Girl”, was banned in several radio stations in southern states in the US, but still made it onto the Billboard Top 20 at the time.

Before her death, Sobule was set to perform in Denver on Friday (2 May) as part of her US tour. Her friend and 105.5 The Colorado Sound radio host will instead host an informal gathering to “share a story or song” in memory of the musician, according to her publicist.

Later this summer, a formal memorial to honour her life and legacy is set to be held.

If this story has affected you, call the National Bereavement Service on 0800 0246 121 in the UK, or 0191 656 3201 for international callers. Advisors are available Monday-Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.

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