Ultimate Gay Icon

Odetta

Richard Simmons

James Dean, that’s rich.

Friend of Dorothy

A fictional character played by Judy Garland gave gay men a charming euphemism by which to call themselves. Has anyone ever called you Friend of Evita or Friend of Loretta?

Liz Taylor

Harvey Milk

Deb Messing

It's unbelievable that Janet Jackson is even on that list. What a crock.

So glad to see Judy winning. It still amazes me, how she was my favourite star, as a kid watching mgm movies on TV; to find out I was a clichė....and without any knowledge of the tragedy (often cited as to why we love Judy) I was drawn to her. I adore her so much I can't watch the Rene Z movie...u just can't watch it.

It is odd how so many gay men found themselves drawn to Judy Garland. It usually started with The Wizard of Oz and went from there. It's probably that damn Over the Rainbow song. Maybe we were longing for that world where we'd be understood as well.

No Bette Midler? What kind of list is this?

Bette Midler sealed her fate with those Gay Marriage comments.

Judy was one of the most talented singers ever. She also had a lot of pain and struggle throughout her life. Despite that, she had a good heart, which is hard to encounter in Hollywood. At a time when gay people were oppressed beyond belief, they identified with her struggles and she theirs.

R12 She said nothing wrong. In fact, she was very witty and benefiting gay men with more positive atributes, that we had little need for marriage, and all it means.

OP The answer, of course, is Judy Judy Judy.

It depends on how old you are. I'm younger and partial to global pop divas who are still alive and who have openly supported their gay fans in multiple ways. Cher, Madonna, Mariah, Beyonce, and Gaga are the real deal.

Why would gay men have no need for marriage? Gay men have been shut out of making decisions for their ill partners because they weren't legally spouses. Bette misspoke.

I forgot to add Ariana Grande who has a gay brother and has been on RPDR twice.

And she's wasting away!

I chose Cher, to whom I was listening before most—well, many—of you were born.

Cher's early "Bob Dylan" vocals are so odd.

In my life, 2 things moved the needle more than anything else:

- Matthew Shepard’s death

- likeable (then) Ellen coming out while the star of a big 3 sitcom

For those citing Midler's comments about gay marriage. Here's exactly what she said from 1.20 onwards:

LK: "Should they be allowed to marry?" 1.20 onwards.

R22 Again. She said nothing wrong.

Viola Davis

I think it depends on your generation. I picked Cher. I never cared for Judy.

I prefer an icon that didn't die on the shitter weighing 70 pounds, dead broke.

Yes I'm well aware R23. That's why I posted it.

Each generation is different. Judy does nothing for me, but I do understand her appeal. For me it's Cher and Elton John. For young guys it will be someone different again, probably some twit twink youtuber yass queen

The gays who idolized Judy Garland are mostly dead, right?

Judy, Madonna, Cher

this is 2023, people, Judy and Liz are OVAH

Julianne Moore. Seriously

Isn’t it really Dylan Mulvaney, now?

Cher doesn't even like Cher's music. She doesn't believe in her own work.

She does like her acting.

I picked Judy, but if ever Ms. Vance belonged in a poll ...

An icon who is gay, or an icon TO gay folk? The question is sloppy.

You forgot Carrot Top!

Gaga or Madonna for basic gays under 50.

Lol Janet at 0% a day later

Shirley Booth

Thelma Ritter, Agnes Moorehead.

Judy for the win!

This poll proves my suspicion that the average DLer is 87.

George Santos.

Why are all of the choices ( except Dean who doesn't belong) women? Is it just reinforcing the straight stereotype that all gay men want to be women or are effeminate?

R45 That is a leap.

Where is Miss Ross?

Vivian Vance would like a word

Miss Ross burst into tears when she was informed which group of people inspired "I'm Coming Out."

Fuck your icons. It's ridiculous and a total waste of energy

Whereas you're not wasting your energy on this thread...

If you gays had to pick between Garland and Vance, who would it be?

oscar wilde?

Penny McLean

LookAtMuy!

The one and only Anne Murray - who insists that she is not a lesbian.

Madonna without even a doubt

I wouldn't pick her as the ultimate, but you'd think Barbra Streisand would deserve a place on the list more than some of the choices...

My personal favorite gay icon is Joan Rivers with Dolly Parton sitting squarely at #2. They should be part of the poll.

Abe Vigoda

No Barbra, OP?!

I voted for Judy, but really where was Barbra? And Bet?

If everybody was being honest, the poll would be 1) Judy 2) Bette M 3) Bette D 4) Liza and 5) Joan.

Joan Rivers expected her gay writers to be nonunion. Fuck her.

Not even close. Judy, 100%.

I vote Lee Radziwill, but for WASPish gays, not for trashy yass queen fags

R63 I think Liza should be 1)!

I loved watching Joan Rivers (even met her once) but I don't think her potty-mouth humor rises to the level of gay iconic. Judy, Barbara, Bet. Second tier Liza ....

As to Lee Radziwill, I'll match my WASP credentials with anyone's but she was never even on the horizon. Jackie, perhaps so briefly.....

Lee was a shallow nasty snobby cunt, she should have a huge gay following

Judy was a tragic, mentally ill, child-abusing addict, the Whitney of her day, she should be no one's icon.

If we were honest, we'd admit it was Bonnie Franklin.

Stupid poll.

Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey??? The panderer, the never acknowledge and the when it's convenient... and NO FUCKING Elizabeth Taylor Cyndi Lauper? = shit list

In my opinion, Judy, Madonna, Cyndi, Diana and Elizabeth Taylor are the Gay Messiahs.

Sirius XM seventies channel just had a weekend featuring the "Mount Rushmore of Seventies Pop" with Elton John, Paul McCartney, the Carpenters and Stevie Wonder. Can you picture a Mount Rushmore of gay icons? Which hairstyle would the carver choose for Barbra? Would Bette Davis be carved as Margo Channing? So many questions...

Cindy Laper!?

[quote] And Bet?

Bet?

R63, Rivers or Crawford?

No Roxane Gay?

Marvin Gay?

Brooke Shields - if DL were any indication

Why isn’t Sufjan Stevens not on the poll? Paton saint of sensitive “no labels” boys in small liberal arts colleges everywhere.

If you reject the "Judy as tragic" narrative, (I do) you can then see how she's, in fact, more camp than a whole season of drag race.

It's definitely a generational thing. I'm early 40s and if they hadn't shown The Wizard of Oz at school one rainy day, I wouldn't have a clue who Judy Garland was. It might also be an American thing - I don't think she was ever as huge in Europe as she was in the US..

Y’all want ‘Ultimate’ hunties?!

^ At 77, Cher’s face is actually more mobile than that of the 37-year-old Olivier Rousteing, the designer for Balmain

What an Achievement!

I like Elvira.

We need a gay man to be be the top ultimate gay icon. That is why I choose Dean Corll, also known as the Candyman.

A man.

The ultimate is Patty Duke ❤️

Why nobody cares about Amanda Lear here.

The Holy Trinity = Judy, Cher and Madonna

The pandering jesters = Gaga, Katie Perry and the rest of modern pop stars

R90 Amanda Lear and Dalida would both make my list