Gay icons have long been symbols of the gay community, ones whom the gay community admire and glorify. From Judy Garland onward, gay icons have served an important purpose in the visibility of LGBT people. Most of them are females, which has been discussed before and is reasonably understandable. But why are the overwhelming majority of gay icons white?

Judy Garland, Liza Minelli, Lucille Ball, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Joan Rivers, Bette Midler, Cher, Madonna, Boy George, Liberace, Elton John, Cyndi Lauper, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga. With the exceptions of Diana Ross, Donna Summer and Janet Jackson (and even she was overshadowed by Madonna in terms of gay iconography), the pop culture entertainers that the gay community idolizes have been mostly white.

Why is this? Obviously, not all members of the gay community are white. In fact, a notable amount of the prominent members and movers-and-shakers of the gay community have been racial minorities. There's also been no shortage of entertainers of color since the days of Judy Garland. Does the lack of diversity in the gay community's chosen gay icons indicate the lack of intersectionality in the movement's early days? Are white entertainers more free or prone to embodying "gay icon" characteristics like theatricality and flamboyance?

Discuss.

Because white privilege, duh.

I don't know.

I guess it's because media pushes white people the most.

Because white gays, men especially, are racist.

cuz being gay is more accepted among white people and so there are more white people who come out and more white people who can be a role model

What about Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé?

Before this year I would have rolled my eyes...


But Since moving to baltimore I'm starting to think that a large portion truly are

Because there are more white people in the media. I'm sure you know why.

Degrassi's gay interracial couple

1. White people are most of US's population, around 70% iirc
2. White privilege

This question is kind of stupid in my opinion.

As much as you will be dragged I've never seen anything more true said on these forums honestly

The **** are you talking about?

RuPaul, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce, Grace Jones, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Lil Kim, Janet, Whitney, and Mariah, Pam Grier, Laverne Cox... the list goes on.

Compare this to the white list and then talk. Don't cherry pick

.

Being black and gay is (unfortunately) not a good combination in today's society
white people are generally more accepting of homosexual people as well

why did you decided to cherry pick and make that list of only Gay White icons.

What about Diana Ross, Queen Latifah, Donna Summer, George Takei, Sylvester, Ricky Martin, Wanda Sykes, Tracy Chapman, Jennifer Lopez, Margaret Cho, Laverne Cox, RuPaul, Frank Ocean, Sofia Vergara.... etc.. more...

Who white people consider iconic is not the LAW, there are TONS of black gay icons, just as many as white.

there are more white people