The Judy Garland Thing

[Queersetti]

Worship of Judy Garland was once so prevalent among gay men that the expression "friend of Dorothy" was sometimes used by gays to surreptitiously identify each other. Later, Barbara Streisand, Bette Midler ans Madonna became icons to the gay community.

Who are the women who serve that role to younger gays now?

Or is this an aspect of gay life that has faded away? Does the presence of more openly gay male role models make the idolization of female models obsolete?

 

[jackfrost2112]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

 

[Raimondin]

Worship of Judy Garland was once so prevalent among gay men that the expression "friend of Dorothy" was sometimes used by gays to surreptitiously identify each other. Later, Barbara Streisand, Bette Midler ans Madonna became icons to the gay community.

Who are the women who serve that role to younger gays now?

Or is this an aspect of gay life that has faded away? Does the presence of more openly gay male role models make the idolization of female models obsolete?

I think it depends what part of the world. I think Cher and Diana Ross are also still in the gay icon ring.
In the Latin American music world it's Paulina Rubio, Alexandra Guzman and Kylie Minogue, have a huge young Latin gay following.

Yes it seems it has sort of faded or diminished in a way, here. But then again you have sudden rebirths or comebacks of past idols like all of a sudden it's James Dean again or whoever.
With more current male icons like Elton John, George Michael coming out, seems to have shifted toward a more male dominance. And with more openly gay movies like the current Brokeback Mountain, about two young cowboys in love is adding to the "male" pot.

Maybe Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Garbo, Marlene Dietrich still have their place in gaydom. What's old is always new again, and so forth.

 

[BitterIchor]

I wonder there aren't any male "objects of worship" for lesbians? And as far as I know, there haven't been any at all. Not to the extent of Judy Garland or Barbara Streisand, at least.

 

[lonelysmile]

In my circle of friends and people I am around, I would say that icons are still apart of GLBT life.

Judy, Madonna, Cher- they're all still refered too when asking the question of "gay icon". Anyone who is supportive or can be related to by the gay community is idolized (in my opinion).

As far as lesbians go, the people I'm around are mostly attached to the womyn/folk singer-types (Melissa Ferrick, Melissa Etheridge, Ani Difranco, etc).

That's just my 2 cents.

 

[Toilette]

Mark Shania Twain down. 'n there's a car-commercial, where a guy is singing '-Woman' in a carfull-of-guys.

 

[Queersetti]

I think it depends what part of the world. I think Cher and Diana Ross are also still in the gay icon ring.
In the Latin American music world it's Paulina Rubio, Alexandra Guzman and Kylie Minogue, have a huge young Latin gay following.

Yes it seems it has sort of faded or diminished in a way, here. But then again you have sudden rebirths or comebacks of past idols like all of a sudden it's James Dean again or whoever.
With more current male icons like Elton John, George Michael coming out, seems to have shifted toward a more male dominance. And with more openly gay movies like the current Brokeback Mountain, about two young cowboys in love is adding to the "male" pot.

Maybe Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Garbo, Marlene Dietrich still have their place in gaydom. What's old is always new again, and so forth.

Hmmmm. It does seem as if once a star reaches that stage of icon, they are there for good. People whose parents aren't old enough to remember Joan and Bette in their prime are seeing them as idols.

But, isn't that true in the culture generally, not just among gays? They've got John Wayne doing army recruiting commercials, for crying out loud.

 

[Queersetti]

I wonder there aren't any male "objects of worship" for lesbians? And as far as I know, there haven't been any at all. Not to the extent of Judy Garland or Barbara Streisand, at least.

That's a good question. I can't think of any.