Gay Twitter would like a word about who gets labeled a queer icon
Cher “Do You Believe in (Heterosexual) Love After (Heterosexual) Love” Sarkisian. Or Madonna “Justify My (Straight) Love” Ciccone.In a way, the mantle of “queer icon” is like a lifetime achievement award for the straights.
And we can get touchy when people are too hasty in deeming someone — or, cringe, themselves — a queer icon. (Remember when Lena Dunham said she wanted her casket to be part of the NYC pride parade when she dies?)Below, Twitter users share their thoughts on who is and is not a queer icon, naming everyone from actual LGBTQ pioneers and heroes to fictional characters who just give off that vibe.Even a chemical element makes the list:James Baldwin, a queer black literary icon.
His words impacted many people & made us think about race, class, and what queer black liberation really looks like. #pride #jamesbaldwin #queericon pic.twitter.com/Sy0sm8M6w4— jotxs y recuerdos_podcast (@jotxsyrecuerdos) June 8, 2018leslie jordan was a genuine queer icon and a goddamn legend.
so grateful for his life and his work. he will be terribly missed.— caleb hearon (@calebsaysthings) October 24, 2022Also, let’s no forget to exalt Little Richard as a queer icon who showed generations of young people m, particularly black ones, what bravery looked liked, what being ones self, conformity be damned, looked like.— Charles M.
