We’re quick to throw around the word “iconic” these days — talk to any gay person under the age of 25, and you’re sure to hear it in every other sentence. But what does it actually take to be an icon, let alone a gay icon? As these ladies prove, it takes a mix of talent, advocacy, and a genuine love for the queer community.
A true gay icon has to do more than just be a diva (though that certainly doesn’t hurt). All of the women on this list have created legendary pieces of queer media, from camp classic films to fashion-forward looks to enduring hits in the club. But it’s their support for the queer community outside of their work that sets them apart and makes them worthy of icon status.
Now, prepare to bow down and take a look at these 25 gay icons who’ve earned their title…
powersthatbe
All queens who light a way, in a way that can never be repaid. Thank you all. May many more follow your examples (and hopefully some more straight men too).
m
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blf49
Amen!
dbmcvey
Absolutely!
G-Man
Totally agree!
Man About Town
Yo Judela: Liza’s last name is spelled Minnelli!
Paris in Santiago
If we can add Princess Diana on the list, that will be nice. She did her part for us and she had an impact on the world as to how people with AIDS must be supported.
Jack Meoff
Absolutely! The only member of the current royal family to do anything meaningful aside from Queen Liz.
Jim
Sorry being female singer doesn’t make you a gay icon
Jim
So true
frapachino
One cannot be an icon if they support and promote morbid obesity!
ScottOnEarth
What does George Santos have to do with this?
Kangol2
Being an icon has nothing to do with body size but perhaps you shouldn’t talk about your heroes Chris Christie and Don the Con that way!
dbmcvey
Frap? What’s wrong with you?
MISTERJETT
@frapachino, you suck and not in the good way!!!
SUPREME
frap, does anyone support your morbid, hateful ignorance?
abfab
Frappy is an angry old man and dull as dishwater.
ScottOnEarth
This is a great example of the ridiculous over-use of the word “icon.” No, not everyone who ever recorded a song is an icon. No offense to any of the women on this list but, Lizzo, seriously? She’s been on the scene for about a minute and has hardly stood the test time. And Kesha? No. If you’re *really* looking to acknowledge gay icons who have stood by us for many, many years, you may want to include Nancy Pelosi and the incredible Mariah Carey (I can’t believe you left her off this list!).
Marcio Claesen
Exactly. To be an “icon” you need to stand the test of time. It’s kind of ridiculous to put Liz Taylor and Barbra Streisand on the same level as Lizzo, Charlie XCX and Kesha. I’m not a fan of Mariah, but definitely, she has stood the test of time and is a gay icon. Katy Perry, with 15 years of international career, is much more a gay icon than Kesha, Lizzo and Charlie XCX. And Britney and Christina, where are they?
blf49
What defines and icon most? Too many factors to even… So don’t even.
Rather than quibble about women I don’t know, please consider adding two entertainers:
La Lupone. How could we leave Pattia Lupone out? I’d vote to include her merely for her clips with Randy Rainbow during the Trump years. IMHO, Patti Lupone is a major ally, and effective supporter.
Kristin Chenowith is my other suggestion, although some of her actions might be beyond (Mormon Tabernacle Choir gig). But like Jepson, she has moved from a traditional conservative Christian childhood to a position of open support.
There are others as well, but I wonder if their reach is broad enough. Every single person who suppports us deserves thanks. Even if they are not perfect.
Diplomat
Liz Taylor’s legacy of support is still physically in effect today with Amfar still in place. She really got down and dirty in her fight to help gay people on all levels. Love the hell out of her for that. Along with her internal desire to assist makind any way she could, I’m sure Rock was a big inspiration.
Diplomat
Liz Taylor’s legacy of support is still physically in effect today with Amfar still in place. She really got down and dirty in her fight to help gay people on all levels. Love the hell out of her for that. Along with her natural maternal desire to assist mankind in any way she could, I’m sure Rock was a big inspiration.
Jim
LIZ is/was a icon. period
cuteguy
No JLo , no list
powersthatbe
Sozzles but Jenny from the Block, as much as I love her, has a patchy record when it comes to supporting her gays.
Just.my.opinion
I am a fan of eight of them. I could not care less about the rest of them.
Joshooeerr
Somebody has no clue what “icon” even means.
MISTERJETT
not just Miss Ross, but THE SUPREMES. those gowns, the big hair, the music and they loved their gay fans.
SUPREME
i’ll second that, misterjett!!!
abfab
You can’t hurry love!
Jim
shout out to Mary & Flo with an honourable mention to Cindy
eeebee333
Bette Midler performed in one bathhouse, not “bathhouses”. And it wasn’t really how she got her start. She’d already been on Broadway for a few years.
dbmcvey
It’s where she got her start as a solo entertainer and where she developed her style and irreverent humor. She didn’t do that in Fiddler on the Roof.
FreddieW
You have dead women on the list, so I guess you’ve never heard of Dusty Springfield.
And where are Annie Lennox, Ellen DeGeneres, and Kate McKinnon? You really think Miley Cyrus edges out any of those ladies?
Jim
Yes not all these women are “gay ” icons, but it is nice that the list isn’t just current icons but the historical ones.
Too often the young turks who make up these lists don’t know anything about what has occurred before their birth.
monty clift
Beyoncé a gay icon? She just recently performed in one of the most homophobic countries in the world and had nothing to say about their anti-gay laws. How about giving credit to the real activists that are actually making a difference and not these half-baked, money-grubbing pop stars.
abfab
Yes, she performed in the Untied States.
monty clift
There is a little old, decrepit bridge somewhere with your name on it, GOPfab.
xanadude
Uh, hello? Glaring omission: Olivia Newton-John! She was a huge advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and a majority of her hardcore fans are gay.
KJ
Right? The first positive thing I ever heard about queer folk was from Olivia Newton-John in the 70s. Sure didn’t hear it at church! Add that that her efforts regarding care of the earth.
There are many wonderful women in this list, but I’ve always been drawn to the ones who gave a damn about others. I was very glad in 2017 that I got to tell Olivia that she was my diva before I knew I was supposed to have one. Rest in peace, Olivia.
Glynn
Gloria Gaynor – look she even has gay in her name – But, she is what she is, and she will survive this list omission.
abfab
Oh, she performed in the United States?
abfab
Dear Glynn….ignore my reply…it was meant for Monty, the bigot above, not you.
Davy
Beyoncé?? Really ??! There’s a big difference between SUPPORTING our culture and stealing from and/or pandering to it for sales. SIGH
Claytonisahobo
I agree that many of these ladies are indeed gay Icons, however alot of them have not been around long enough to deserve the label ICON. IMy Gawd Elizabeth Taylor was a beautiful woman.
Jim
Yes her beauty and allure are incomparable
Ozzerino
RE: Liza Minnelli: “It’s M I double N then E double L I you double up the N that’s “n” not nou then E double the L end it with an I that’s the way you say Minnelli.” (Actually even these Liza With a Z lyrics I got off the Internet originally had Minnelli misspelled.
Rueerty
Where’s Marilyn Monroe??*
Baron Wiseman
In Westwood.