Media giant Sony and Wilderness Media have banded together to release a new gay and lesbian-themed recording label.

Music With a Twist, due to launch in June (US Gay pride week), will feature established gay and lesbian artists from all musical genres as well as encouraging fledgling talent. It also intends to release large numbers of compilation albums of established hit songs adopted by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered audiences.

"Music With a Twist will be a home that says to artists, 'We not only are OK with who you are, but we embrace that as part of your identity,'" a spokesperson told the Associated Press.