Why is Dolly Parton a Gay Icon?

If Dolly Parton Didn't Exist We'd Have To Invent Her

Dolly Parton, the queen of country music, has long been a gay icon. How could she not with quotes like this: ""It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I'd be a drag queen."

Or when asked what she thought about drag queens impersonating her: "I love them. I'm one of them."

Or when she told Jennifer Anniston she once lost a Dolly Parton look-alike contest.

Dolly's larger-than-life persona, glitz, glamour, and embrace of camp aesthetics are celebrated and adored. These elements embody Susan Sontag's Camp Aesthetics Theory, which highlights the importance of theatrical exaggeration and flamboyance in the queer community's fascination with certain celebrities1.

In 2014, Vanity Fair quoted Parton acknowledging her large gay following, attributing it to her flamboyant style and larger-than-life persona, remarking, "They know that I completely love and accept them, as I do all people."2

Parton's over-the-top aesthetic is often coupled with her audacious defiance of societal norms, fitting neatly within Jack Halberstam's Transgressive Theory. As a fearless boundary-pusher, Parton resonates with a community often marginalized for its own transgressions against heteronormative expectations3. A notable instance of this defiance is her song "Travelin' Thru," penned for the transgender character in the film Transamerica 4.

From Resilience to Liberation: Identifying With Dolly

How does Parton's story of resilience inspire? What about her persona resonates with gay men?

Diana Fuss's Identification and Resilience Theory provides a framework for understanding the connection between Parton's personal narrative and her popularity among gay men. Parton's tale of overcoming adversity—growing up in poverty and facing rejection in her early career—speaks to the shared experience of overcoming societal prejudice. As Professor Marie Thompson of the University of Nottingham noted, "Parton's resilience resonates with gay men who have faced similar struggles."5

Moreover, Parton's persona is, in many ways, a picture of liberated femininity. This aligns with Adrienne Rich's Liberation Theory, which emphasizes the spectrum of women's relationships outside of heteronormative constraints6. In openly embracing her unique brand of femininity and consistently speaking her truth, Parton becomes a beacon of liberated womanhood.

In an interview with Billboard in 2016, Parton touched on the issue of acceptance, stating, "It's not my place to judge... We should just accept and love each other for who and what we are."7

Dolly Parton and Gay Identification

How do gay men see themselves in Dolly Parton? What makes her struggles relatable? How does her representation of marginalized voices resonate within the community?

Dolly Parton, through her perseverance, and unapologetic persona, presents an image of resilience that many gay men identify with, embodying Diana Fuss's Identification and Resilience Theory. Fuss underlines identification as a crucial psychological process, and gay men may see in Parton a reflection of their own battles against societal prejudice1.

This identification is reinforced by the relatability Parton's personal narratives present. From her upbringing in a one-room cabin in rural Tennessee to her journey to stardom, Parton's narrative, punctuated by adversity, is one that resonates with many in the gay community. This reflection was emphasized in an interview with The Telegraph where Parton mentioned, "I've had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself."2

Marginalized Representation: Dolly Parton as an Ally

How does Parton's representation of marginalized voices resonate with the gay community?

Stuart Hall's Marginalized Representation Theory offers a lens to appreciate Parton's impact. Hall posits that marginalized groups often identify with figures who have faced similar marginalization3. Parton's frequent vocal support for marginalized voices, including her support for the Black Lives Matter movement in a 2020 interview with Billboard, furthers her relatability4.

Moreover, Parton's music often highlights the narratives of the underdog and the outsider. Songs like "Coat of Many Colors" resonate with many gay men who have faced hardship and alienation, making her an even more identifiable figure in their community.

Feminist Icon and Queer Advocate

How does Parton's embodiment of feminist principles and advocacy for the queer community contribute to her icon status?

Embodying Adrienne Rich's Liberation Theory and the Feminist Icon Theory, Parton challenges societal norms and expectations about gender and sexuality5. She embodies a liberated, unapologetic womanhood that resonates with gay men, who themselves defy heteronormative expectations.

Furthermore, Parton's activism for the LGBTQ+ community cements her status as an icon. Her public endorsement of gay rights and gay marriage, quoted in CNN in 2012, speaks to her strong advocacy6. Parton's Dollywood Foundation, launched in 1988, further emphasizes her commitment to inclusivity and acceptance7.

In combining these theories, one can better understand why Dolly Parton has attained her status as a gay icon. Her ability to reflect the resilience of the gay community, her advocacy for marginalized voices, and her unyielding support for the LGBTQ+ community all contribute to her enduring appeal.

The Power of the 'Other'

What does Parton's position as the 'Other' mean for the gay community?

Simone de Beauvoir's "Other" Theory can also shed light on Parton's allure. Her status as an outsider in a male-dominated industry resonates with gay men who often feel marginalized in a heteronormative society8. Moreover, Parton has not shied away from celebrating her 'Otherness,' which only adds to her allure.

Taken together, these theories offer insights into Dolly Parton's status as a gay icon. Her flamboyant campiness, boundary-pushing transgressions, resilient narrative, liberated femininity, and 'Otherness' coalesce into a persona that resonates powerfully with the gay community.

Footnotes

Sontag, S. (1964). Notes on 'Camp'. Partisan Review. ↩
Vanity Fair, 2014, Dolly Parton: I Hope Gay People Will Feel Welcome at My Theme Park. ↩
Halberstam, J. (1998). Female Masculinity. Duke University Press. ↩
The Guardian, 2006, Dolly Parton, I had to leave home to become a star. ↩
Thompson, M. (2019). Resonant Bodies, Voices, Memories. Goldsmiths Press. ↩
Rich, A. (1980). Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence. Signs. ↩
Billboard, 2016, Dolly Parton on Gay Fans, the 'Say Something' Cover and Her Friendship with Katy Perry. ↩
de Beauvoir, S. (1949). The Second Sex. Gallimard. ↩