Wikipedia

Gay icon

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A gay icon is a larger-than-life celebrity or public figure with wide-spread fans amongst the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, particularly those figures preceived to be 'strong' or brave individuals who have wrestled with issues of sexuality and/or psychological demons and have suffered publicly and survived. Sometimes, the term Dycon is used to describe celebrities loved by the lesbian community in particular. Gay 'icons' include dramatic movie stars, as well as those who died young and beautiful or under tragic circumstances, both male and female musical stars (particularly those with powerful, emotive voices and/or troubled personal lives) and androgynous pop artists and rock groups.

Criticism

[original research?]

Many critics feel that gay icons are too narrowly focused on entertainment industry celebrities and that other possible role models are ignored. They argue that in maintaining a gay iconography, LGBT men and women ignore substantial areas of history and the people who made it, such as generals, politicians, and scientists. Indeed, a homophobic agenda might very well link such an iconography to outmoded notions of "gay" as emasculation, or of gay men and women being "failed" or "stunted" men and women. Until only very recently, however, gay generals, politicians, and scientists (such as Alan Turing) would not have felt comfortable broadcasting their sexuality to doubtful response and could not therefore have attained an iconic status for the gay community.

Queer writer and gay film director Bruce LaBruce has criticized gay icons, calling Madonna "counter-revolutionary." 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. Madonna has consistently acknowledged and embraced her gay following throughout her career and many believe she has contributed to the growth of a more acceptable gay imaginary in mainstream culture.

Another criticism of gay icons is that the concept is based on the notion that a person's sexual orientation dictates, or at least influences, a person's cultural and aesthetic preferences. By extension, a person's role models would be dictated by their sexual preferences. This effectively means that the role models afforded to androphile men are narrowed to a few celebrities and would not include innovators like Dwight D. Eisenhower, Albert Einstein, drag racing legend Don Garlits, Iggy Pop or Muhammad Ali had they been gay, or had some obvious appeal to the gay community. However, now that many more 'types' of gay men are feeling comfortable enough with their sexuality to lead a public gay life, the pantheon of gay icons may well expand to include just such heroes.

Examples

The following people, groups of people and television shows have attained an agreed iconic status amongst Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered consumers. See their individual articles for more information.

References

  • Frightening the Horses: Gay Icons of the Cinema, Eric Braun (2002). ISBN 1903111102
  • 20th Century Icons-Gay, Graham Norton (2001). ISBN 1899791779
  • Gay histories and cultures, George E. Haggerty (2000). ISBN 0815318804
  • The Culture of Queers, Richard Dyer (2002). ISBN 0415223768
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