Judy garland gay icon
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They are a persecuted group and they understand suffering. “It seems to be a significant category of gay men, in particular, who are invested in celebrities or the camp aesthetic that Garland embodies. Just like many others, Judy Garland’s legacy lives on; she is constantly used as a reference in queer language and art.
Source: Getty Images, NBC
But her throngs of gay fans in 1967 didn't come from nowhere.
It is truly astonishing.
Of course, that night, like so many other of her performances, was filled with her queer fans (you can hear them screaming ‘we love you Judy’ throughout the performance), who felt like she was a true friend, one who understood and loved them back. Although the characters were a fictional addition to the biopic, they represented a very real connection shared between Garland and the LGBTIQ+ community; one anchored in a shared sense of suffering and taste for camp performance.
“Stan and Dan are absolutely a highlight of the film; they bring humour and love and magic,” producer David Livingstone said, reports The Wrap.
“They help us understand Judy’s role as an icon whilst also embodying the love she generated from her fans.”
Director Rupert Goold said the characters symbolised a parallel between the experiences of Garland and marginalised members of the LGBTIQ+ community at the time.
“The gay community weren’t allowed to lead normal lives, and there is an interesting parallel with Garland, who’s trying to find a normal life for herself and her children," he said.
"I spoke to academics who’ve investigated ideas of sexuality through the prism of Garland.
"You're my best Judy"), as was depicted earlier this year on RuPaul's Drag Race. When Garland was four, the family moved to California following rumours that her father, a closeted bisexual, had made sexual advances towards young men.
I find Garland’s career particularly interesting; it has been defined by so many highs and lows – she had suffered just as her marginalised audiences had, and that is what made her resonate so widely with her fans.
The rise of the diva is steeped in history, and their nuanced relationship with their queer fans has been around for just as long.
Of course, each diva has their own fanbase and I simply cannot cover all of them, so I will be taking a closer look at just one of my all-time favourites, Judy Garland. Analysing her story, from upbringing to death, helps us understand how and why some gay men look to famous women to help them navigate the world.
Small town to Tinseltown
In 1922, Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm – named after her parents Frank and Ethel – in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
In the review, the critic noted that a "disproportionate part of her nightly claque seems to be homosexual" - adding that "[t]he boys in the tight trousers" would "roll their eyes, tear at their hair and practically levitate from their seats" as Garland performed.
Judy Garland continues to leave her mark on popular culture today.
But this year, in the film Judy, Garland's gay fans have finally been recognised for having a strong impact on the singer in return.
Two small characters in the film, the gorgeously named Stan and Dan, are shown waiting for Garland outside a nightclub in London. And so does Garland.” However queer historian Dr Justin Bengry warns against generalising in this way.
I sing to people!” So many of her queer fans had suffered, living mostly in the shadows from fear of persecution and homophobia, and yet Judy had created a space that was safe and accepting by simply showing kindness and a mutual understanding of pain.
There are also debates over how much her death played into one of the most influential social movements in history – Stonewall.
A 1969 review of her Palace Theatre show in Esquire Magazine reads: “Homosexuals tend to identify with suffering. Her mannerisms and iconic performances also continue to be frequently referenced in shows like Will & Grace, which, in turn, has been credited with moving the pin forward on gay representation in the mainstream media since premiering in 1998.
Over the years, emerging details of Garland's fraught personal life have only served to further cement her resonance for members of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Garland's own father, Francis Avent Gumm, was gay.
Why is Judy Garland the ultimate gay icon?
To many gay men, Garland is the mother of all icons. Garland's second husband, Vincente Minnelli, the father of Liza, was rumoured to be a closeted bisexual. I guess the stage was my only friend: the only place where I could feel comfortable.
But it's also important to recognise that they aren't the totality of gay men.”
The camp that Bengry mentions is significant to Garland’s gay icon status.
Judy Garland as a gay icon
By Jake Tickle, Third Year English
“The only time I felt accepted or wanted was when I was on stage performing.
While Garland was still alive, critics made ham-fisted attempts to answer this question. It is an almost ineffable way of projecting one’s insecurities and suffering, turning it into joy and pure camp expression. From the phrase ‘friend of Dorothy’ used as code for gay men, to drag impersonations of Garland, she will always live on as a culturally significant figure in LGBTQ+ history.
Why Judy Garland is still such a gay icon
Judy Garland has long been considered one of the world's most recognised and celebrated gay icons, something that has been reaffirmed this year by Renee Zelwegger's critically acclaimed turn as Garland in Judy.
But what is it about the singer and actress, once dubbed 'the Elvis of homosexuals', that makes her cultural legacy so enduring, particularly for members of the LGBTIQ+ community?