Gay icon

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File:Sodoma Sebastian.jpg
St. Sebastian, history's first recorded gay icon.

A gay 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, or have suffered publicly. The term Dykon, a portmanteau of the words "dyke" and "icon," has recently entered the lexicon as a word to describe lesbian icons.[1]

Qualities of a gay icon include a larger-than-life image, strength through adversity, sometimes androgyny,[2] or an ambiguous sexuality.

Historical examples

The earliest gay icon was St. Sebastian.[3] 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.[3] 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".[3] Due to St. Sebastian's status as gay icon, Tennessee Williams chose to use that name for the martyred character Sebastian in his play, Suddenly, Last Summer.[4]

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".[5] 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.[6]

Modern examples

In entertainment

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.

File:Judy Garland 1939.jpg
Judy Garland as "Dorothy" in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

An archetypal gay icon is Judy Garland.[7] 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?" is slang for, "Is he gay?". Others who are or have been considered icons in the LGBT community include:

Lesbian icons are most often powerful women who are, or are rumored to be, lesbian or bisexual.[10] However, a few male entertainers have also had iconic status for lesbians. James Dean was an early lesbian icon[16] who, along with Marlon Brando, influenced the butch look and self-image in the 1950s[17] and after.[18][19] One critic has argued for Johnny Cash as a minor lesbian icon, attributing his appeal to "lesbian identification with troubled and suffering masculinity".[20]

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 French singer of Egyptian 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.[21][22] 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.[23][24]

In sports

Martina Navratilova,[10] David Beckham,[25] and Billie Jean King are all seen as gay icons.[26] 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 politics

In the political arena, gay icons are represented by, among others, Princess Diana,[27] Abraham Lincoln,[28] Margaret Thatcher,[29] Winnie Mandela,[30] Michelle Duvalier, Eva Peron,[31] Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis[12] and Imelda Marcos.[30] These individuals have been lionized for their strength, style, compassion, or work for equal rights. An ironic is Anita Bryant[30] 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.[32] 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!" [33]

Televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker -- an unlikely gay icon who has been called "the ultimate drag queen"[34] -- said that when her husband was in prison "the gay community... gathered around me".[35]

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.[36] 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.[37]


Footnotes

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b The illiterate top 10 review Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  3. ^ a b c Subjects of the Visual Arts: St. Sebastian; GLBTQ.com; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  4. ^ Tiny Rep presents Suddenly, Last Summer"; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  5. ^ Castle, Terry (1993). The Apparitional Lesbian: Female Homosexuality and Modern Culture. New York: Columbia University Press. pp. 126-149 and 261n56. ISBN 0-231-07652-5.
  6. ^ Fraser, Antonia (2001). Marie Antoinette: The Journey. New York: Anchor. p. 449. ISBN 0-385-48949-8.
  7. ^ "Why is Judy Garland such a popular gay icon?"; September 9, 2003; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  8. ^ Call Me Miss Bassey From Gay Times, by Vicky Powell, Dec 1997; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  9. ^ Review: 'Dietrich' beautiful photo collection; Dunn, Andrew; CNN.com; December 25, 2001; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Judy Who?"; Michael Abernethy; 16 November, 2006; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  11. ^ Gordon Ramsay 50th most popular gay icon; Grew, Tony; Pink News; January 5, 2007; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "Gay icons of the 20th century"; DONNA LYPCHUK; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  13. ^ [1] - Listmania! Women Worshipped By Gay Men, Part 2 Pedro Tejada (West Palm Beach,FL,USA), Amazon.com
  14. ^ Cyndi Lauper to Perform at National Forum, Equality Forum press release, February 24, 2005
  15. ^ "Superman: Gay Icon? Christ Figure?"; CBS news; June 16, 2006; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  16. ^ Pramaggiore, Maria (February 1997). ["Fishing For Girls: Romancing Lesbians in New Queer Cinema". College Literature. 24 (1): 59–75. Retrieved 2007-02-09. {{cite journal}}: Check |url= value (help)
  17. ^ Kennedy, Elizabeth Lapovsky (1994). Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community. New York: Penguin. pp. 212–213. ISBN 0-1402-3550-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Blackman, Inge (1990). "Skirting the Issue: Lesbian Fashion for the 1990s". Feminist Review (34): 67–78. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0141-7789%28199021%290%3A34%3C67%3ASTILFF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-H. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Halberstam, Judith (1998). Female Masculinity. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. p. 330. ISBN 0-822-32243-9.
  20. ^ Ortega, Teresa. "'My Name is Sue! How do you do?': Johnny Cash as Lesbian Icon". In Tichi, Cecilia (1998). Reading Country Music: Steel Guitars, Opry Stars, and Honky-Tonk Bars. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. p. 222. ISBN 0-8223-2168-8.
  21. ^ "Gay Montmartre Tour"; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  22. ^ David France, Dying to come out:The war on gays in Iraq, GQ magazine, February 2007; Retrieved on 2007-02-07
  23. ^ Abhishek ready to be gay icon, MSN.co.in; 2006-09-05; Retrieved on 2007-02-07
  24. ^ "Gay Icon Embarrassment"; Asian News.co.uk; November 24, 2006; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  25. ^ Becks is a gay icon; Fox Sport; July 15, 2005; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  26. ^ Lesbian tennis star becomes a pioneer for women’s rights; 4-26-2006; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  27. ^ "Diana Has Not Gone Gentle Into That Good Night"; Bridgeman, Joan; Contemporary Review; January, 2000; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  28. ^ "Invisibility: Gay Icons in U.S. History". panel event. Equality Forum 2005. 26 April 2005. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
  29. ^ "Margret Thatcher: Gay Icon"; Flynn, Paul; The Guardian; May 16, 2006; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  30. ^ a b c "In praise of the Bitch Goddess"; Labruce, Bruce; Retrieved on 2007-01-15
  31. ^ Sexual Textualities: Essays on Queer/Ing Latin American Writing; David William Foster; University of Texas Press; ISBN 0-2927-2501-9
  32. ^ Rutledge, Leigh W. (2003). The Gay Book of Lists, 3rd Edition. Los Angeles, CA: Alyson Publications. pp. 130–132. ISBN 1-55583-7409.
  33. ^ Ives, Brian (2004-02-24). "Kylie Minogue: Disco's Thin White Dame". VH1.com. Retrieved 2007-01-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ Wilson-Smith, Anthony (2000-05-22). "Tammy Faye's Fab Fan Club". Maclean's. p. 7. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ Rabey, Steve (2000-10-02). "Tammy Faye, gay icon". Christianity Today. pp. 85–86. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  36. ^ Watts, Jill (2001). Mae West: An Icon in Black and White. New York: Oxford University Press, USA. p. 300. ISBN 0-19-510547-8.
  37. ^ Gross, Michael Joseph (August 2000). "The Queen is Dead". The Atlantic Monthly. pp. 62–69. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

References

  • 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

External links

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