Has Lady Gaga Redefined What It Takes To Be A Gay Icon?
By: Jase Peeples
3.15.2011
From Judy Garland to Britney Spears there have been many women over the years who have been branded with the title “gay icon.” Some, such as Joan Crawford, gained an early gay following due to her struggles both on and off screen, likening her to an underdog with whom many gay men of the time felt they could relate. Others, such as Madonna and Kylie Minogue, have openly embraced their queer fan base performing at LGBT events, supporting gay issues and incorporating queer themes into their videos and live performances.
However, in the short time she has been on the pop music scene, Lady Gaga seems to have set a new standard for those who would wish to qualify as a future gay icon.
Since her first album was released in 2008, Lady Gaga has embraced the gay community and been an advocate for LGBT rights like no other diva before her. In the liner notes of her debut album she wrote, “I will always fight for the gay community…” This was a bold move on her part as many celebrities have shied away from being linked to the gay community at early points of their careers. But Gaga has made her allegiance clear from the beginning and even performed at several LGBT events, such as the NewNowNext Awards and San Francisco Pride in the early months after the release of her first album.
In the days that followed, she promoted the album with live performances in many smaller venues, including gay and lesbian dance clubs. Her genuine affection for her gay fans was obvious and any who believed otherwise would soon be forced to reevaluate their opinion when Gaga later revealed that she was bisexual in an interview for Rolling Stone. Turns out, Gaga was not only a supporter, but a part of the LGBT community as well. Though some were quick to label her coming out as a publicity stunt, the pop princess only intensified her advocacy in the years that followed and proved that her statements were more than lip service.
If visibility is the first step then Lady Gaga is running a marathon for equality. She has taken every available opportunity to voice her support for gays and lesbians in interviews, during acceptance speeches, and even televised performances.
In 2010 Gaga took a fierce stand against the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) policy. Dressed in a frock made of meat, Gaga attended the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards accompanied by four members of the US Military who had each been prohibited from serving due to DADT. When interviewed Gaga stated, “If we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones.”
The songstress could have stopped there, but she continued her stance against the discriminatory law by releasing 3 videos on YouTube shortly after the awards show. In the videos she encouraged others to contact their senators and urge them to overturn DADT. She then took the fight even further by speaking at the “4the14K” Rally in Portland, Maine where she urged members of the US Senate to repeal the DADT policy.
Since then, Gaga has shown no signs of slowing down her support of the LGBT community. Her latest number-one hit, “Born This Way” is undeniably pro-LGBT and is the first hit song in the US to use the word “transgendered” in its lyrics. She’s also put her money where her mouth is by donating proceeds from the single to anti-bullying charities.
Recently, Gaga has made even more headlines in the crusade for equality by walking away from a lucrative deal with retail giant Target due to the company’s previous donations to an antigay political campaign. And just last week, she encouraged fans to voice their support for marriage equality by contacting state senator Mark Grisanti, who has wavered on supporting marriage equality, with “2000 emails” during an appearance in Buffalo, New York.
Lady Gaga hasn’t merely raised the bar for those who would claim the status of gay icon, she’s completely reinvented the criteria. No longer can a celebrity simply state, “I love my gay fans” and expect the LGBT community to call them an icon. A new standard has been set. And while this shouldn’t detract from those who have worn the title in the past, Lady Gaga has worn it best.
Comments
WOW Many people here are quite unthankful for what this woman has done for this community! It makes me sick! She's devoted so much of herself to equal rights campaigns throughout her career and you think its a stunt? What I call using the gay community is when an artist like Katy Perry barely devotes any of her time to equal rights campaigns, Releases a song called "Ur so Gay" about a straight man, and then post gay support over twitter. Its cheap. I say Go Gaga!
As a gay man, I LOVE GAGA. She is my favorite artist ever and undoubtly, my idol. I love Britney, I love Madonna. But none have ever done as much as Gaga has done for the gay community. She's not only spoken, but marched in the large crowds made up of gay men, lesbian women, bisexuals and transgendered people. She herself is Bisexual. She is an AMAZING songwriter and her music is INCREDIBLE. She takes risks when it comes to the gay community ("Alejandro" video and releasing "Born This Way" so early in her career.) Even her very first album gave a shoutout to the gay community. She STILL performs at gay bars despite the fact of how huge she is. Lady Gaga- Gay Icon, Pop Icon, Fashion Icon. JUST ACCEPT IT ALREADY.
"No matter Gay, Straight or Bi. Lesbian, Transgendered Life. I'm on the right track. Baby I was BORN TO SURVIVE."
What all of you seem to forget is she isnt ust for us she is us
she has already said long ago that she is BISEXUAL
not in the way Madonna and Britney pretend to like a lil girl on girl action
but actually bisexual
she even admited that the song poker face is about her thinking of women when she is with men and how they dont have a clue that THIS is what gets her off
the people that dont think she has talent and is just a vopy of madonna and x tina have obviously never heard her sing live
unlike the other two she actually can sing and doesnt have to rely on tracks
Yes, unfortunately Gaga has redefined the gay icon. Judy, Joan, Bette, and Bette M. all had the one thing which is missing from the not-so-divine Miss G.--TALENT! (i.e., talent for more than just self-promotion.)
"Dressed in a frock made of meat, Gaga attended the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards accompanied by four members of the US Military who had each been prohibited from serving due to DADT. When interviewed Gaga stated, “If we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones.”"
What in hell does this even mean?
Anyway -- Lady Gaga's entire schtick is exploitative. I can't think of a single difference between how the Religious Right sees gay people and how Lady Gaga does: through a narrow, stereotypical lens, as if we're a bunch of prancing queens shouting about how we were "born this way, baby," while we adorn crazy outfits and glittery skirts. What is the difference between Gaga and the Religious Right? That she simply likes this stereotype? Forgive me, but I thought the problem was the stereotype itself.
I love my divas -- Britney Spears, especially -- but I don't want them to be pandering and exploitative. I'm so sick of being treated like some kind of pariah by certain gay people because I won't worship this woman.
I'd have to exclude myself from that unit of "gays" that supports her, but this is her fanbase, of course she's going to do all she can to support and suck up to them, thus maintaining their support for her in return.
She's not going to bite the hands of the stereotype that feeds her.
I admire musicians for their skills and music and sometimes aspects of their celebrity as well, but no amount of humanitarian work is really going to make me love someone I don't enjoy. I'm much more interested in the "Diva" than the "Gay Icon".
She is a copy of Madonna, Christina Aguilera y others; she is not original at all
So she took on DADT, why she didn't support Gay marriage ( my partner and I) why she doesn't take on Employment Non-Discrimination Acts (ENDA) for me and my partner very dear issues, because DADT was a safer choice and most like it to pass, the day that "the gay Icon GaGa" takes on ENDA, I will change my mind until then I wont! because is all about her, her and her...
Agreed
ABOVE . you forget that Lady GaGa agreed to sell her album only after lengthy talks with Target where they promised to revise the way the company makes political donations , and after they agreed to donate money to LGBT causes. she wanted them to start to make up for the wrongs they have made as a corporation. she has said they were heated and lengthy talks, the most difficult in her career so far. AND , when they didn't follow through , she pulled the plug on the deal. she puts her money where her mouth is. you also seem to be the only one still upset about the use of "orient (not oriental) and chola". most of the outcry was before anyone heard the song and it's use in context. you can hate her, but you will be unlikely to find another artist doing more for our community than her.
1st if she is so committee to the gay community and knows all our facts how come she didn't know that Target has made any donations to the anti-LGBt organizations? I knew that b4 and I am simple citizen that doesn't have a "team" who decided where to sell or not my merchandise. Adele sells her CD at Target
I think,as a gay men that she is ussing the the LGBT issues to be rebelious. Is my opinion and I will seat and watch GaGa LGBT ties. Besides she is a singer no lobbyists, isn't she. It is NOT easy to deal with the intricated turns of lawmakers. I hope I am wrong and yours assessment on GaGa is true and she can make a change. - doubt it. From a singer who use "Oriental and Cholo in her lyrics
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