Who do you think is a 'gay music icon' (besides Lady Gaga)?

[hungprep]

I hope this doesn't seem like too complicated (or, at the same time, too simple-minded) a question, but who do you think (besides Lady Gaga) is a 'gay music icon,' and why is that the case – whether the people in question actually are (or were) 'gay' themselves and if so either 'out' or 'closeted' at the time they lived – but also whether the question itself is even important, either then or now?

Nicki ('Roman') Minaj? Rihanna? Beyoncé? Madonna? Morrissey? Maria Carey? Maria Callas? Kylie Minogue? Lance Bass? Janet Jackson? Cyndi Lauper? RuPaul? Rufus Wainwright? Rob Halford? Henry Rollins? J. D. Samson, k. d. lang? Jimmy Somerville? Tom Robinson? Grace Jones? Donna Summer? Joan Jett? Michael Jackson? Elton John? Bette Midler? Barbara Cook? Barbra Streisand? Liza Minnelli? Cher? Sylvester? Liberace? Judy Garland? Marlene Dietrich? Billie Holiday? Billy Strayhorn? Lorenz Hart? Cole Porter? Noël Coward? Leonard Bernstein? Samuel Barber? Aaron Copland? Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky? And various, other Pet Shop Boys, Spice/Indigo Girls, and Village People?

There must be, in the whole course of musical history, many others… Who do you know of, and why do we accord them that honor?

Please, excuse me, BTW, if this general question already has been done to death in these forums, but, to me, it seems a question, however complicated, that we ought to ask ourselves – repeatedly – as we gain greater acceptance (as people) not only by society as a whole, but also become an even more enticing, lucrative market – than we already are today – for advertisers of all kinds.

Pepsi-Cola? IKEA? Maybachs? Various liquors? Furs? The meat industry? Anti-depressants?…

Personally, I resent being manipulated by corporate interests – either overtly or covertly – strictly because of my sexual orientation (interests, predilections), insofar as it is merely an accident of birth – because 'I was born that way' – whether the accident is (turns out to be) a 'happy' one or not (or rather because it is an 'accident,' whether it isn't, therefore, by definition, completely random in Nature).

But, please, discuss. I sincerely want to know your opinions. Keep it light! Thanks.
.

 

[Jayden]

Cher
Madonna
Grace Jones
Donna Summer
Whitney Houston
Barbra Streisand
Diana Ross
Janet Jackson
Mariah Carey
Aretha Franklin
Sade

 

[SilverSurfer]

For me it has to be Bette Midler.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

do it matter whats a think?

not like millions folk gonna visit thread as guess they too busy doin it

ans like how many folk know what gay mean?

so guess a matter a you of OP make da thread

-

 

[hungprep]

Whitney Houston

Not either…?


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_VkVAwteUw&fmt=18"]Her Mom, Cissy Houston[/ame]


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elIVoXUJ4V4&fmt=18"]Or her Aunt Thelma[/ame]
.

 

[IowaGuy]

Patti LaBelle

 

[Muzzy91]

The first people to come to my mind were definately Cher and Madonna.

 

[LiveForLove]

Madonna

Cher

 

[todwod]

Y'all forgot Kylie Minogue, Judy Garland, and the creme de la creme, Liza Minelli

 

[BrianPGH]

Along with the other artists mentioned in this thread, I'd add Stevie Nicks.

She's always been wonderfully supportive of her gay fans, and I think her music & lyrics have struck a chord in the gay community because of the romance, sensuality & mystery being coupled with inner strength and an interminable determination that's gotten her through some rough times. Which is definitely something we can relate to.

There's even an annual NYC drag-show in her honor, which is in its twenty-first year:
"Night of a Thousand Stevies."

 

[joshBTW]

Kesha














I got you didn't I?

 

[diamondstar]

Kylie Minogue. I always knew her to be a gay icon before any of the other listed above.

 

[Today4U1989]

Judy Garland. Does this one need any explanation?

And Lorna Luft, Judy's more talented daughter in my opinion.

 

[mojoe54]

Ricky Martin!

 

[AcquiredTaste]

The group Queen and also Elton John.

 

[hungprep]

^_^ Ah, at last (at least) a few guys, too!

How about…?


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW9mDyFgh1o&fmt=18"]Stay with Me, Baby Terry Reid[/ame]
.

 

[unloadonme]

The group Queen and also Elton John.

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to mention Freddie.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4Mc-NYPHaQ[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBW65VNK1G8[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbjYfTyDF6k[/ame]

 

[frankfrank]

On one hand, I'm over the discussion because I hate being told I have to like a certain person because I'm gay.

On the other hand...everything Elvin said above. I'm only going to hand the title over to someone who has apologetically been on our side, not someone who just happens to have a gay following or an accidental gay anthem.

Referring to Gloria Gaynor, perhaps?

"I Will Survive" is considered a gay anthem, but I am totally unaware of her politics, or feelings toward the gay community, etc.

It MAY be rather telling that she wasn't on hungprep's list (which did include a number of people contemporaneous with her, or even earlier than her).

BTW hungprep, I'm sure I saw your avatar before, and you show a lot of posts over years, but I don't remember the name. You must have changed your username, but I can't place the prior...

And NaughtyArousal, if you're not a big fan of Judy Garland, surrender your gay card...IMMEDIATELY!!!

 

[anchihiro]

Anita Bryant.


She knew what was best for us......

 

[BrownBoi89]

I remember we discussed gay icons last semester at one of the meetings for the Pride club at school. One guy suggested Marilyn Manson could be considered a gay icon maybe. I am not sure how many gay men actually listen to his music (I have a few of his songs( but I do believe he is pretty supportive of gay rights. I just remember everyone being shocked at him wearing breasts in "The Dope Show" music video and in his performances in general. I think that video also had two men making out as well. So does he count? lol