Judy garland gay icon
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Her struggles were juxtaposed by her tenacity and her ability to not only survive, but to flourish on the stage. And so does Garland.” However queer historian Dr Justin Bengry warns against generalising in this way. Her untimely death occurred on the 22nd of June 1969 due to an accidental overdose on medication she had been taking since she was young, just six days before the start of the Stonewall riots.
When Garland was four, the family moved to California following rumours that her father, a closeted bisexual, had made sexual advances towards young men. It is like a time capsule that takes you right to that night in 1961 – you can listen to her voice explode on stage in her dramatic numbers, whilst listening to her gentle and kind voice in between songs when she talks to the audience.
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. They were the so-called 'Friends of Dorothy (a code gay men sometimes used to identify each other when it was otherwise dangerous to do so); those who had found solace and recognition in Garland's portrayal of Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz.
Just like many others, Judy Garland’s legacy lives on; she is constantly used as a reference in queer language and art. 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. It is an almost ineffable way of projecting one’s insecurities and suffering, turning it into joy and pure camp expression.
At face value, it seems arbitrary that the Over the Rainbow singer would have been such an influence in the queer world, but upon investigation, it is no surprise. Judy at Carnegie Hall is a recording of her performance at the renowned venue, where the 38-year-old sang the roof off in front of her loyal fans, including Marilyn Monroe.
Her fourth husband, Mark Herron, was gay, too. For the post-Stonewall generation, ‘Friends of Dorothy’ is a strong affirmative voice against discrimination.”
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.
The Stonewall riots were of course not caused by one single event or person, however I do agree that it is highly likely Judy Garland’s funeral just hours before played some part.
This ‘diva worship’ exists across many communities, including many influential famous women, from Lady Gaga, Diana Ross, even Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli, and has existed as a way for marginalised communities to feel loved and accepted in a world that does not make them feel welcome.
What’s more, Garland’s funeral was held on the 27th of June, the evening before the Stonewall riots in the early hours of the 28th of June. When asked if she minded having such a large gay following – as if she ever would – Garland responded by saying: “I couldn’t care less. 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 a 2007 article, writer Steven Frank mused that Dorothy's journey from Kansas to Oz "mirrored many gay men's desires to escape the black-and-white limitations of small town life ...
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?
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. It is almost impossible to articulate her sound, and there is nothing quite like it, especially in this album.