Why do gay men love judy garland

American actress and singer Judy Garland (–) is widely considered as a gay icon. Whether she played a part that night or not, the timing of Garland's funeral helped solidify her legacy in the queer community for generations to come. They were right there in the front row.

Meanwhile, icons like CherCyndi Lauper and Madonna have not only embraced their gay fans, but have made staunch efforts to elevate them in their work and activism. You suffer a lot of ridicule, you suffer bullying.

Why Judy Garland is

Golden Age stars like Joan Crawfordwho was reportedly bisexual, and Bette Davis were revered by queer fans not just for their campy performances, but also because they were surrounded by gay people in their personal lives. Judy Garland was an entertainer of the highest order, a deeply troubled movie star, and, even during her lifetime, a gay icon.

[1] The reasons frequently given for her standing as an icon among gay men are admiration of her ability as a performer, the way her personal struggles seemed to mirror those of gay men in America during the height of her fame, and her value as.

She worked with her gay brother and so many others, like Jean Paul Gaultier, and catered to a gay audience. Vilanch points out that divas like Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross were also grabbing their share of attention, displaying a sensibility that resonated with gay fans.

She's even thought to be connected, at least tangentially, to the phrase "friend of Dorothy," coded slangand the way gay men sometimes referred to each other as far back as World War II. The term probably refers to the misfit pals of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, as portrayed on screen by Garland although the term has also been associated with the American satirist of the s Dorothy Parker.

These two women suffered those things … but they endured, they survived," and with humor, which Wilson called "the life-resilient force of the gay community. And Gaga routinely uses her platform to fight bigotry and defend equality. That, combined with a track record of solid work, is what sets them apart from the rest.

To mark what would have been Judy Garland's th birthday, we take a look back at the sparkling career of a gay icon. And I think that's OK. It would be nearly 20 years before shows like Orange is the New Black and Pose made stars — and icons — out of Laverne Cox and Mj Rodriguez, both of whom have broken barriers for trans and nonbinary performers in front of and behind the camera.

Not only had she come into Hollywood as an outsider who successfully challenged beauty standards, she was known for taking on roles, in films from Funny Girl to Yentlportraying outsiders who found their confidence from within — something that resonated deeply with queer audiences.

After her death, a slew of other beloved performers followed in her footsteps — including her equally legendary daughter, Liza Minnelli, who was 23 when her mother died. Garland died of an accidental overdose at 47 — and her funeral was held just hours before the historic Stonewall uprisinga revolt that's known for jump-starting the modern LGBTQ-rights movement.

That last one might seem like a head-scratcher a century after her. As Vilanch explains, the modern archetype of a gay icon is commonly understood to be the legendary Garland, who would have turned this year prompting celebrations including in-theater Wizard of Oz screenings and a perfume launch.

They're all gay icons because they represent part of our struggle — and they acknowledge us. Judy, a new biopic concerning Judy Garland, was adapted from Peter Quilter’s stage play End of the Rainbow, a work that writer Robert Leleux has characterised as “a gay version of Passion of.

In biopic Judy, Renée Zellweger plays Garland – and is a favourite for next year’s Oscars (Credit: David Hindley/ LD Entertainment / Roadside Attractions) To many gay men, Garland is the. She was always an outsider. Midler, who was raised in Hawaii before starting out on her career in s New York City singing at a gay men's bathhouse, is a unique example of an icon who earned her reputation in the gay community before making it into the mainstream.

These qualities are certainly shared by several figures today: from Lil Nas Xwhose frankness about his Black, queer identity is changing the face of hip-hop; JoJo Siwaa Gen-Z powerhouse whose devoted tween fanbase watched her make history as one-half of the first same-sex pairing in the history of Dancing With the Stars ; and Demi Lovatowhose conversations about their nonbinary identity ignited dialogue about the importance of using inclusive language.

Her devoted queer fanbase has never left her. She expressed heartbreak so eloquently. The Advocate has called Garland "The Elvis of homosexuals". But to fully grasp the concept of the gay icon, it's important to go back a bit, to the mother of all gay icons: Judy Garland.

In the same vein, Ross's music has been a beacon for LGBTQ fans through the decades, starting with her glamorous start with the Supremes.