Elton John and Judy Garland ranked top gay icons
Elton John and Judy Garland have been ranked as the top male and female celebrity gay icons respectively.
The poll of 5,000 gay men and lesbians found that the majority of male gay icons were gay themselves, although those on the female list tended to be straight singers such as Kylie and Madonna.
Paul O’Grady made it on to both lists, once as himself and once as his female alter-ego Lily Savage.
Only one straight man, David Beckham, was featured.
A spokesperson from One Poll, which commissioned the survey, said: “Interestingly only one of the men in the top 10 list of male celebrity gay icons isn’t gay – David Beckham. And yet most of the women put on a pedestal by the gay community are straight.
“It just shows that to advocate a certain way of living, you don’t have to live the lifestyle but simply be more accepting of those around you.”
Top ten male gay icons:
1. Elton John
2. Freddie Mercury
3. Stephen Fry
4. George Michael
5. Oscar Wilde
6. Will Young
7. Alan Carr
8. Paul O’Grady
9. Boy George
10. David Beckham
Top ten female gay icons:
1. Judy Garland
2. Kylie Minogue
3. Madonna
4. Cher
5. Liza Minnelli
6. Marilyn Monroe
7. Shirley Bassey
8. Lily Savage
9. Dusty Springfield
10. Barbra Streisand
