Do we really need more straight people as gay icons?

No

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by Violet Fortune

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This is a difficult question to answer, as there is really no right or wrong to the situation. It is more a matter of "pop culture" status and what aesthetically appeals to the majority of the gay community, rather than the gender orientation of the icon. Fascinatingly enough, the celebrities often established as icons for the gay community are often the same as what constitutes a "sex symbol" for heterosexual pop culture.

Take Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Marlon Brando and James Dean for instance - all sex symbols and cultural icons across the "gender preference" barriers. They have universal appeal. Others are favored as gay icons primarily for their "camp" appeal. Such would include Bette Davis, Bette Midler, Cher, and Madonna. One thing all of the above have aesthetically in common is that they are all "larger than life" character, however they may conduct themselves in their private lives, whether gay or straight.

To segregate cultural icons in terms of the gay or straight community, hardly seems to matter either way. Both camps like their icons spiced with scandal, charismatic and to a large extent, caricatures of their particular personality type. So much the better if they are deemed sexy as well.

Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, and Marlene Dietrich were all highly stylized in the roles that brought them to icon status - in any gender preference group. Not just any pretty face or handsome mug will do.

On the other hand, I've yet to see Bob Hope, Bill Clinton, Roy Rogers or Dale Evans reach icon status amongst gays. Aretha Franklin, yes; Al Gore, yes; Barack Obama, no - even though he has championed for gay and lesbian rights and is certainly a larger-than-life character - many would say "sexy" as well as certainly charismatic. What is the deciding factor? Perhaps he is not "camp" enough.

While it's true that "camp" is a genre most typically applauded by gays and more of an "acquired taste" for the average heterosexual Joe (a gay icon in himself along with GI Jane), there are many instances where this distinction is blurred. Tarzan (or HIS Jane) does not make the grade however. ("Boy," played by Johnny Sheffield however does - I wonder if they will ever make a sequel starring "Girl" - and I'm not even gay. Go figure.)

Judy Garland, Michael Jackson, Joan Crawford and Cher certainly have tremendous followings in both gay and straight subcultures - not to mention Barbra Streisand - again, "larger than life" ... or "Divine" ... or literally "to die for" appears to be the criteria for appeal across the board. And why not?

Regardless of sexual orientation or preference, we all like to be entertained, even stricken with awe. It is not exactly a "coming out party" as to who gets to fill the slot for who is held in "ridiculously high regard" by persons in any camp. When it comes to the gay camp however, the scales are tipped in favor of celebrities who are literally caricatures of gender distinctions ... whether their niche be humorous, elegant, sexy or just plain-out outrageous - or any combination of the above - it often ties in with an edgy persona that literally screams for attention across the tabloids or the silver screen. Divine will suffice.

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