Why is Diana Ross a Gay Icon?

I'm Coming Out: How Diana Ross Became a Gay Icon

You cannot talk about Diana Ross's status as a gay icon without first referencing her song, I'm Coming Out.

Penned by the songwriting duo of Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic fame, the song was inspired by an experience Rodgers had at a New York City nightclub popular with trans women. Seeing the crowd's self-assuredness and open expression of identity sparked an idea that led to the creation of the iconic tune. See how Nile Rogers describes the event and watch him play the early version of the song:

@pinknews To celebrate icon #DianaRoss ’ 80th birthday today (March 26), here’s a clip of record producer and composer #NileRodgers explaining the story behind the 1980s gay anthem “I’m Coming Out”. #imcomingout #lgbtq #musictok ♬ suara asli - LovelyTunes

The Liberation Song

"I'm Coming Out" carried a liberating message for a marginalized group yearning for recognition. It was a call to arms, an invitation to embrace one's identity fully and without reservation. As a black woman who had made her way to the top of the music world, Ross's own story resonated with this message of liberation.

"I'm Coming Out" became a vehicle for her voice, and the voices of countless others who felt similarly marginalized. It echoed the sentiment of Adrienne Rich's Liberation Theory, reinforcing the idea that relationships, identities, and human experiences exist along a spectrum and should be celebrated, not confined.

Solidifying Ross as a Gay Icon

The release of "I'm Coming Out" not only cemented Diana Ross's iconic status but also secured her place in the hearts of the LGBTQ+ community. It transcended the boundary of music and became a statement. Ross became more than a singer; she became an ally.

In a Billboard interview in 2019, Ross revealed her awareness and support for the song's impact on the LGBTQ+ community, "I am so appreciative... that I have been a part of that journey, their journey. These are human rights we're talking about."

A Mirror Reflecting Shared Struggles

Through the lyrics of "I'm Coming Out," Ross reflected the experiences and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, much like Lacan's Mirror Image Theory. She offered a reflection of their reality, a reality that deserved to be seen, understood, and celebrated. It was this deep connection that solidified Ross's iconic status.

"I'm Coming Out": The Unyielding Anthem

Today, "I'm Coming Out" remains an anthem of resilience and self-affirmation. It speaks volumes about the courage to be oneself and embodies a spirit of liberation. It's a testament to Ross's enduring impact on the LGBTQ+ community and serves as a reminder of the transformative power of music.

Through her anthem, Diana Ross sang a melody of liberation that reverberated far beyond the confines of a vinyl record, reaching out to hearts across the world. Her song became a symbol of acceptance and self-love, continuing to empower individuals to proudly embrace their identity, making Diana Ross forever a cherished icon within the LGBTQ+ community.

Let's go back to the 70s.

Sequins? Check. Big hair? Double-check. A dazzling diva belting out tunes in a sequined jumpsuit? Triple-check. Susan Sontag, who coined the Camp Aesthetics theory, would've surely agreed that Diana Ross was the epitome of 'Camp'.

According to Sontag, camp celebrates theatricality and exaggeration, which Ross served up in spades! As cultural critic Dave Thompson said in his book "Dance Music Sex Romance: Prince: The First Decade", "In the kingdom of camp, Diana Ross was queen."

Diana's Drag, Darling - Divine Femininity

The world swooned over Ross's femininity, her grace, her glamour. But Judith Butler, a pioneering gender theorist, might see it differently. Her Divine Femininity and Androgyny theory tells us that gender isn't about what you're born with; it's about what you perform. So, every time Diana stepped on stage, it was more than just a performance. It was a masterclass in gender expression, a freedom that many gay men could connect with deeply.

Diana vs. The World - Identification and Resilience

The supremely talented Diana Fuss gave us the Identification and Resilience theory. She showed us that we're drawn to those who display a kind of resilience we recognize, or aspire to. And boy, did Diana Ross show resilience!

From growing up in Detroit's Brewster-Douglass Projects to becoming an international star, Ross's journey was far from smooth sailing. In a 1981 interview with Ebony Magazine, Ross said, "I have always been a risk-taker. I believe in me more than anything in this world."

Marching to Her Own Beat - Transgressive Theory

Jack Halberstam, known for his work in gender and queer studies, might see Ross through the lens of Transgressive Theory. She broke boundaries and challenged societal norms, just like many in the gay community. And in doing so, she didn't just make good music; she made history.

As music journalist Barry Walters said in Rolling Stone, "Diana Ross was among the first and certainly the most high-profile black woman to assert her right to be complicated, individual, and, yes, even diva-ish."

And there you have it. Camp aesthetics, gender expression, resilience, and boundary-breaking; these are just a few colors on the glittering spectrum of Diana Ross's appeal.

Diana Ross: A Liberation Icon

Ross wasn't just another star. She was, and remains, a symbol of liberation, not unlike what Adrienne Rich might argue. This iconic diva pushed the boundaries, illustrating a life free from heteronormative constraints.

Her bold persona and vocal power, as seen in her anthem "I'm Coming Out," offered a breath of fresh air, a break from the societal norm, and the courage for many to declare their own identity. Her words resonated deeply within the LGBTQ+ community, giving strength to those on their own journey of sexual self-discovery.

From Supremes to Supreme: Embracing the Marginalized

Stuart Hall, with his Marginalized Representation Theory, would argue that Ross became a gay icon because she represented the marginal. From her early years with The Supremes to her triumphant solo career, Ross never shied away from her struggle as a black woman in a white male-dominated industry.

In an interview with The Guardian in 2019, she said, "I learned that I had to stand up for myself and I had to fight for myself." Her relentless spirit made her a beacon for many in the gay community who felt similarly marginalized, and her rise to stardom despite the odds was a testament to her unyielding spirit.

The Mirror of Diana Ross: Seeing Ourselves in Her

Lacan's Mirror Image Theory suggests that we idolize figures who reflect our struggles, ambitions, and identities. With Ross, the gay community saw a mirror reflecting their own experiences. From her struggles with identity and acceptance to her ultimate triumphant declaration of independence, Ross's journey was a powerful reflection of the gay experience.

Her life told a story that many could see themselves in, encouraging them to own their identities and aspirations just as she did. Her empowering statement in her 1993 interview with Barbara Walters, "You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You've got to get out there and make it happen for yourself," echoed in the hearts of many.

The "Other" and Diana Ross: Resonating with the Marginalized

Simone de Beauvoir's theory of women as the "Other" suggests that the marginalized identify with the marginalized. Ross, as a black woman in a male-dominated industry, was undeniably an "Other". And this is perhaps why she resonated so powerfully with the gay community. She was an outsider who not only survived but thrived, sending out a powerful message that being different, being an "Other," could be a strength, not a weakness.

In conclusion, Diana Ross's status as a gay icon is the product of her embracing liberation, representing the marginalized, providing a mirror for self-reflection, and resonating with the "Other". Her journey provides powerful lessons in resilience and authenticity, serving as a beacon for those finding their way in their own journeys of self-discovery and self-expression.

Gay Icons of the 1930s and 1940s

Gay Icons of the 1950s and 1960s

Liza Minnelli

Marilyn Monroe

Gay Icons of the 1970s and 1980s

Diana Ross

Dolly Parton

Cher