Responses
Many celebrities have responded positively to being regarded as gay icons. Several have noted the loyalty of their gay fans; Eartha Kitt and Cher credited gay fans with keeping them going at times when their careers had faltered. Kylie Minogue has acknowledged the perception of her as a gay icon and has performed at such events as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Asked to explain the reason for her large gay fanbase, Minogue replied, "It's always difficult for me to give the definitive answer because I don't have it. My gay audience has been with me from the beginning... they kind of adopted me." She noted that she differed from many gay icons who were seen as tragic figures, with the comment, "I've had a lot of tragic hairdos and outfits. I think that makes up for it!"
Tammy Faye Messner, (ex-wife of fellow controversial televangelist Jim Bakker and mother of pastor Jay Bakker) who has been benevolently referred to as "the ultimate drag queen" — said in her last interview with Larry King that, "When I went — when we lost everything, it was the gay people that came to my rescue, and I will always love them for that."
Others have been more ambivalent. Mae West, a gay icon from the early days of her career, supported gay rights but bristled when her performance style was referred to as camp.
Madonna has acknowledged and embraced her gay following throughout her career, she even made several references to the gay community in her songs or performances, and performed at several gay clubs. She has declared in interviews that some of her best friends are gay and that she adores gays and refers to herself as "the biggest gay icon of all times." She also has been quoted in television interviews in the early 1990s as declaring the "big problem in America at the time was homophobia."
Turkish electronic pop singer Hande Yener describes her relationship with the gay audience by stating that "there is a strong bond between us." She states that she tries new styles in her career and her stand against prejudices is best understood by gay audience. She also mentioned that she often goes to gay clubs. She starred as herself, a gay icon in a gay-themed movie Kraliçe Fabrikada. She is one of the few Turkish singers who will perform in a gay club. She has participated in the Istanbul Pride in 2009.
Read more about this topic: Gay Icon
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