Madonna and Gay Community

[bigblob]

What do you think of Madonna's appropriation of gay culture and the way she celebrates sexuality including homosexuality in her videos and live shows?

 

[jw4833]

Madonna is like one of the first worldwide global artists to openly embrace the gay community. She was very fearless in accepting gay people as individuals without any remorse. She had also employed many in regard to assisting her with producing and designing her fantastic tours. I also believe that her support of the gay community for so many years have made her gay fanbase very loyal throughout her career and I also feel that she will forever be a icon in their eyes.

 

[hammervice]

Madonna just trying to play us all so we buy her songs.

i`m not a Madonna fan , Really i could take her or leave her .

 

[sebcb]

Madonna is simply the best!!!!!!!!

 

[jeansGuyOZ]

Madonna is OK. I am not a fanboy, but she has a certain amount of credibility as a singer and songwriter. More credibility for example than pretenders like Kylie Minogue, Pink and Lady Gaga.

As for pandering to the gay community to get them to buy her songs, I don't think she needs that kind of financial assistance, and I am certainly not going to criticise her for stating that gay people are entitled to equality in society. I actually think it's more a case of the gays, particularly a certain gay demographic, tending to support that kind of music and flamboyant presentation. It's always mystified me why the vast majority of gay men seem to favour female artists, some almost exclusively. Witness the love for Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Grace Jones, Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, Lady Gaga etc. in the gay commmunity. I really cannot think of any male artists who are gay icons in the same way, except for The Village People.

 

[XMan101]

That's always baffled me as well, JeansGuy. I like any singer who's good but generally I tend to favour male singers and not a big fan of Madonna, never have been. My main taste is so "un-gay" anyway

She may have her heart in the right place but a lot of singers do try & court favour with the gay club crowd because statistically they & very young teens are the ones who buy most of that stuff, partly probably because they party and partly because they have a larger disposable income than those married with kids & heavy mortgages!

You find all new boybands etc do the gay club circuit and make a point of it, because that's where they'll sell !

 

[topdog]

I'm not a fan though I admit to liking a couple of her old songs. What I admire is her guts and even more her open mind...

This pretty much sums what where I am with Madonna artistically. She had a nice run of catchy songs in the late 80's - early 90's:

• Like a Prayer
• This Used to Be My Playground
• Papa Don't Preach
• La Isla Bonita
• Express Yourself
• Cherish
• Oh Father

However, I don't think Madonna ever "courted" the gay audience - she didn't have to because they found her first (like Bette Midler, ten years before).

But for me, the Madonna - Gay alliance was cemented in 1985 when Penthouse magazine published nude photographs that she had done years earlier when she needed the money. This had all the makings of the classic pop career killing scandal. But unlike anyone before her (that I can remember), Madonna didn't back down or show any kind of embarrassment or remorse. She owned it, and essentially shrugged "So what?". And her career chugged on as if nothing had happened. As a matter of fact, there is a reference to it in one of her movies:

Madonna: What if at a key moment in the game my, my uniform bursts open and, uh, oops!, my bosoms come flying out? That, that might draw a crowd, right?
Rosie O'Donnell: You think there are men in this country who ain't seen your bosoms?

- from the movie "A League of Their Own"

I think for a lot of gay men that illustrated the situation they found themselves in: If they come out (or are discovered) then they are ridiculed, embarrassed, or somehow marginalized. Madonna illustrated another way - hold your head up high and own who you are and fuck 'em if they can't deal with it.

Madonna drew many gay fans, and as others have mentioned, it was the way she acknowledged and even flaunted her gay status (again, like Bette before her), that made her different.

 

[mem]

"... mostly depict us as being stereotypical instead of independent individuals."

Good point: I'm gay and I don't like Madonna nor Lady Gaga.

 

[madguy7]

For me growing up in the 80's as a closet gay, it was MAdonna who was around that was not afraid to be who she was. She made it ok for me to question my sexuality. And non like today's pop star's who seem to relay on sex to sell records:Lady GaGa, Britney, Rhinna, Keshia. Madonna has grown spiritually, and I feel that have grown with her. Thanks Lady M. And kept on rocking!!

 

[garth33]

THE gaga just totally ripped off Madonna so she'll have to do a LOT BETTER than a "meat dress" to "SHOCK!" me....what a fucking POP IDOL tool...and a cunt.

 

[brmstn69]

My mother partied with Madonna while she was filming "A League of Their Own"...

Somehow that makes her even more unappealing to me...

I mean, she partied with my mom... How lame is that...:rofl: