How do heterosexual celebrities become LGBTQ+ icons?

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “There still aren’t that many gay icons and gay celebrities.” Allies and champions Williamson adds that “people from whatever community need to feel a sense of visibility – and that lands in celebrity culture,” she says. “It is inevitable that people will seek out icons and figures.” It makes sense that when it comes to heterosexual artists who become gay icons, they will often also be people who stand for the LGBTQ+ community and are strong allies. “In times where 72% of trans young people have faced verbal abuse in the past year, we desperately need more proactive allyship,” Ashenden adds.Mutual understanding There is also often a mutual understanding between members of the LGBTQ+ community and celebrities who have experienced adversity or discrimination – particularly females. For example, when asked about her own gay icon status back in 2020, Minogue told The Australian newspaper: “Part of it is the music, part of it may have been a theory I explored, that I wasn’t wasn’t always given the easiest of times back then… And I wonder if part of that coming together was an understanding of not being accepted for who you are.” Williamson says there can be a sense of being “united by struggle” that comes into play between gay icons and LGBTQ+ fans.