American actress and singer Judy Garland (1922–1969) is widely considered as a gay icon. The Advocate has called Garland "The Elvis of homosexuals".[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 a camp figure.[2] Garland's role as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz is particularly known for contributing to this status. In the 1960s, when a reporter asked how she felt about having a large gay following, Garland replied, "I couldn't care less. I sing to people!"[3]
- ^ Walters, Barry (October 13, 1998). An icon for the ages. The Advocate. p. 87.
- ^ Dyer, p. 156
- ^ Kinser, Jeremy (October 19, 2014). "Here's How Judy Garland Felt About Her Gay Fans And What Might Have Happened If She Hadn't Died In 1969". Queerty. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
In a 1965 press conference – in San Francisco, actually – she was asked how she felt about her gay following. She told those gathered, "I couldn't care less. I sing to people!"