GAY ICON

A 'gay icon' or 'LGBT icon' is an historical figure, celebrity or public figure who is embraced by many in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities. In particular, they are figures perceived to be strong or brave individuals who have wrestled with psychological demons, issues of sexuality, have suffered publicly or met an early tragic end. The term ''Dykon'', a portmanteau of the words "dyke" and "icon," has recently entered the lexicon as a word to describe lesbian icons.Euan Ferguson, Daniela's still dying for it; February 16, 2003; Retrieved on 2007-02-08
:''All over the South-East men fell in lust with the idea of a fast lippy sexy Scot, and I'm told she also became something of a 'dykon, a female gay icon'.''
Qualities of an LGBT icon usually include a larger-than-life image, inherent glamour and eventual flamboyance, strength through adversity, androgyny, or an ambiguous sexuality.

Contents

Historical examples

Modern examples

In entertainment

In sports

In fiction

In politics

Responses

Criticism

References

See also

External links

Historical examples

The earliest gay icon was St. Sebastian.^[1] The combination of his strong, shirtless physique, the symbolism of the arrows penetrating his body, and the look on his face of rapturous pain have intrigued artists both gay and straight for centuries; and began the first explicitly gay cult in the 19th century. Richard A. Kaye wrote, "contemporary gay men have seen in Sebastian at once a stunning advertisement for homosexual desire (indeed, a homoerotic ideal), and a prototypical portrait of tortured closet case."Tennessee Williams chose to use that name for the martyred character Sebastian in his play, ''Suddenly, Last Summer''. Tiny Rep presents ''Suddenly, Last Summer'' The name was also used by Oscar Wilde — as Sebastian Melmoth — when in exile after his release from prison, as is Little Britain character Sebastian, tortured in his unreturned love for the Prime Minister of England.
Marie Antoinette was an early lesbian icon. Rumors about her relationships with women had been circulated in pornographic detail by anti-royalist pamphlets before the French Revolution. In Victorian England, biographers who idealized the Ancien Régime made a point of denying the rumors, but at the same time romanticized Marie Antoinette's "sisterly" friendship with the Princesse de Lamballe as — in the words of an 1858 biography — one of the "rare and great loves that Providence unites in death." By the end of the 19th century she was a cult icon of "sapphism;" her execution, seen as tragic martrydom, may have added to her appeal. Allusions to her appear in early 20th century lesbian literature, most notably Radclyffe Hall's ''The Well of Loneliness'', where the gay playwright Jonathan Brockett describes Marie Antoinette and de Lamballe as "poor souls... sick to death of the subterfuge and pretenses."^[2] She had crossover appeal as a gay icon as well, at least for Jean Genet, who was fascinated by her story. He included a reenactment of her execution in his 1947 play ''The Maids''. Marie Antoinette: The Journey, , Antonia, Fraser, Anchor, 2001,

Modern examples

In entertainment

Judy Garland as "Dorothy" in ''The Wizard of Oz'' (1939).

Modern gay icons in entertainment include both film stars and musicians, most of whom have strong, distinctive personalities, and many of whom died young or under tragic circumstances. These individuals may be homosexual or straight, closeted or out, and male or female. The women most commonly portrayed by drag queens are usually gay icons.
An archetypal gay icon is Judy Garland. Cher: Last of the Gay Icons? So revered is she as a gay icon that her most well known film role, that of Dorothy in ''The Wizard Of Oz'', became used as code among homosexuals in the 1950s. The expression, "Is he a friend of Dorothy?" was slang for, "Is he gay?"
Oscar Wilde, Irish author, humorist and "dandy," who was about as "out of the closet" as was possible for the late 1800s, is also considered to be a gay icon, at least by some.
Others who are or have been considered icons in the LGBT community include:


★ Julie Andrews Stage Door Jennies, , Brett, Farmer, Genders, 2003

★ Lucille Ball

★ Shirley Bassey Call Me Miss Bassey

★ Kate Bush

★ Mariah Carey

★ Cher

★ Joan Collins Kylie is 'greatest gay icon' of all time

★ Joan Crawford

★ Bette Davis^[3]

★ Ellen DeGeneres

★ Marlene Dietrich Review: 'Dietrich' beautiful photo collection

★ Cary Grant Gordon Ramsay 50th most popular gay icon

★ Rock Hudson^[4]

★ Paris Hilton^[5]

★ Elton John

★ k. d. lang

★ Cyndi Lauper Cyndi Lauper to Perform at National Forum

★ Amanda Lear

★ Liberace

★ Madonna

★ Freddie Mercury Be My Idol

★ George Michael

★ Bette Midler

★ Liza Minnelli

★ Kylie Minogue

★ Marilyn Monroe

★ Dolly Parton Lesbian and Gay Icons

★ Debbie Reynolds Debbie Reynolds To Say Goodbye

★ Jimmy Somerville

★ Barbra Streisand

★ Donna Summer

★ Superman Superman: Gay Icon? Christ Figure?

★ Elizabeth Taylor

Lesbian icons are most often powerful women who are, or are rumored to be, lesbian or bisexual. However, a few male entertainers have also had iconic status for lesbians. James Dean was an early lesbian icon Fishing For Girls: Romancing Lesbians in New Queer Cinema, , Maria, Pramaggiore, College Literature, who, along with Marlon Brando, influenced the butch look and self-image in the 1950s Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community, , Elizabeth Lapovsky, Kennedy, Penguin, 1994, and after. Skirting the Issue: Lesbian Fashion for the 1990s, , Inge, Blackman, Feminist Review, 1990 ^[6] One critic has argued for Johnny Cash as a minor lesbian icon, attributing his appeal to "lesbian identification with troubled and suffering masculinity."Ortega, Teresa. "'My Name is Sue! How do you do?': Johnny Cash as Lesbian Icon". In Reading Country Music: Steel Guitars, Opry Stars, and Honky-Tonk Bars, , Cecilia, Tichi, Duke University Press, , ISBN 0-8223-2168-8 Science fiction author Forrest J Ackerman was dubbed an "honorary lesbian" for his help during the early days of the Daughters of Bilitis. He also wrote lesbian-themed fiction under the pseudonym Laurajean Ermayne.
Though most gay icons are to be found in the Anglo-Saxon culture, the concept is to be found in other cultures, as well. Dalida, the Egyptian singer of Italian origin, had a career-long gay following that extended out of Paris and well into the Middle-east. In the years since her death, her iconic status has not diminished. Gay Montmartre Tour Dying to come out:The war on gays in Iraq Likewise, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan was recently declared to be a gay icon in a national poll in India. Though homosexuality still carries a stigma in India, he was quoted as saying that "Appreciation and love from any quarter is welcome," and that though he is straight, himself, he was comfortable with having a large fan base among gay men. Abhishek ready to be gay icon Gay Icon Embarrassment

In sports

Martina Navratilova, David Beckham, Becks is a gay icon and Billie Jean King are all seen as gay icons. Lesbian tennis star becomes a pioneer for women’s rights In Beckham's case, it is his combination of athletic prowess, good looks and flamboyant private life; in the case of King and Navratilova, it has more to do with their strength of character after coming out respectively as bisexual and lesbian.

In fiction

The spirit of Peter Pan has often captured the hearts of gay men, embodying in his powers of flight and magical adventures a complete sense of freedom and escape from a world too often cold and unaccepting. Refusing to conform to society's expectations, the boy who never grows old leaves the city behind and lives his life as an outcast. He becomes a leader of an all-male community that calls itself the "Lost Boys," a metaphor not lost on those who are still struggling with their own identity. Together, the band of outcasts create their own society based on friendship, fraternity...and of course, fun. For some, Peter may also represent the childhood innocence sometimes yearned for by gay men, who in times of hardship may wish to return to a pre-adolescent time when sexuality was not an issue. However, the figure of Peter Pan is hardly a shameful one; he is a lone ranger, and he possesses the physical fighting abilities as well as the emotional independence to survive.
Some have stated concerns regarding Peter Pan's age and status as a minor in the consideration of him as an adult's "icon." Yet, not all icons are adults, nor do they have to be about sexuality. Often, the connection is much more metaphorical. Furthermore, Pan as a visually pleasing aesthetic often serves as a harmless reflection and happy reminder of a gay male's childhood looks.

In politics

In the political arena, gay icons are represented by, among others, Princess Diana, Diana Has Not Gone Gentle Into That Good Night Abraham Lincoln, Invisibility: Gay Icons in U.S. History Margaret Thatcher, Margret Thatcher: Gay Icon Winnie Mandela,^[7] Michelle Duvalier, Eva Peron, Sexual Textualities: Essays on Queer/Ing Latin American Writing, , David William, Foster, University of Texas Press, , Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Imelda Marcos. These individuals have been lionized for their strength, style, compassion, or work for equal rights. An ironic icon is Anita Bryant, in that – while her work has opposed homosexuality – her extravagant persona has been embraced by many in the gay community, particularly drag queens.
One problem with classifying such people as gay icons is that the line separating those who are simply popular because they possess a talent or an indefinable charm or charisma from those who are political or tragic figures may be a thin one. Some people may be all of the above.

Responses

Cyndi Lauper performed in a rainbow dress at the closing ceremonies of Gay Games VII.

Many celebrities have responded positively to being regarded as gay icons. Several have noted the loyalty of their gay fans; Eartha Kitt and Cher credited gay fans with keeping them going at times when their careers had faltered. The Gay Book of Lists, 3rd Edition, , Leigh W., Rutledge, Alyson Publications, 2003, Kylie Minogue has acknowledged the perception of her as a gay icon and has performed at such events as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Asked to explain the reason for her large gay fanbase Minogue replied, "It's always difficult for me to give the definitive answer because I don't have it. My gay audience has been with me from the beginning... they kind of adopted me." She noted that she differed from many gay icons who were seen as tragic figures, with the comment, "I've had a lot of tragic hairdos and outfits. I think that makes up for it!" Kylie Minogue: Disco's Thin White Dame
Televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker — an unlikely gay icon who has been called "the ultimate drag queen" Tammy Faye's Fab Fan Club Anthony Wilson-Smith — said that when her husband was in prison "the gay community... gathered around me." Tammy Faye, gay icon Steve Rabey
Others have been more ambivalent. Mae West, a gay icon from the early days of her career, supported gay rights but bristled when her performance style was referred to as camp. Mae West: An Icon in Black and White, , Jill, Watts, Oxford University Press, USA, 2001, Judy Garland gained iconic status in part by acknowledging gay fans' existence at a time when few would, but her attitude toward her gay following was ambiguous. The Queen is Dead Michael Joseph Gross
Madonna has acknowledged and embraced her gay following throughout her career, she even made several references to the gay community in her songs or performances, and performed at several gay clubs. She has declared in interviews that some of her best friends are gay and that she adores gays and refers to herself as "the biggest gay icon of all times. Madonna: ‘I hope I’m still a gay icon’

Criticism

Queer writer and gay film director Bruce LaBruce has criticized gay icons, calling Madonna "counter-revolutionary." The Reluctant Pornographer, , Bruce, LaBruce, Gutter Press, 1997, He has cited her co-option of Marxist revolutionary imagery on the album ''American Life'', calling it hypocritical of her to use such imagery to sell a product of bourgeois capitalist ideology and culture.

References

1. Subjects of the Visual Arts: St. Sebastian
2. The Apparitional Lesbian: Female Homosexuality and Modern Culture, , Terry, Castle, Columbia University Press, 1993,
3. Queer, Isn't It?: Gay Icons: Judy Who?
4. Gay icons of the 20th century
5. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-4312.html
6. Female Masculinity, , Judith, Halberstam, Duke University Press, 1998,
7. In praise of the Bitch Goddess


★ ''Frightening the Horses: Gay Icons of the Cinema'', Eric Braun (2002). ISBN 1-903111-10-2

★ ''20th Century Icons-Gay'', Graham Norton (2001). ISBN 1-899791-77-9

★ ''Gay histories and cultures'', George E. Haggerty (2000). ISBN 0-8153-1880-4

★ ''The Culture of Queers'', Richard Dyer (2002). ISBN 0-415-22376-8

See also

★ LGBT

★ New Queer Cinema

★ Queer Theory

★ Madonna and the gay community

External links

★ Gay men and women should just be themselves

★ Christina up close

★ Sophie Morris. ''From the tragic to the bland'' // New Statesman, 1 August, 2005

★ John Howard. ''Pink doesn't mean fluffy'' // Independent, The (London), 4 August, 2005