Why do gay men love judy garland so much
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 rotate 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?
Judy Garland continues to leave her mark on popular tradition today. Source: Getty Images, NBC
Are you a Friend of Dorothy? When I first heard of this legal title – a secret nod between queers – I was thrilled. I love Judy Garland and The Wizard Of Oz so frikkin much and this is a thing?!?!?! A queer thing? How simply wonderful and lovely!
Now, there’s an alternate theory that the Dorothy in doubt is not Dorothy Gale but Dorothy Parker – wit, sitter at rotund tables and ally to the gays… whatever the origin, I’d argue that when people use and hear the term now, they associate it with Wizard of Oz/Garland and may not even comprehend about the Parker reference. And aren’t the unique ‘Friends of Dorothy’ those three sissies she picks up along the Yellow Brick Road? There we go.
The first time I heard the phrase was when I was told about a gay café called A Friend Of Dorothy that had opened in Bristol. I’d just returned to my place town after a scant years away and to find out this existed, well, it felt fond of it was all meant to be. There’s no place like home. So I went along. I expected to be welcomed into an emerald and ruby sanctuary, as same-sex attracted and camp as it comes, full to brimming with glittering queers who were massive Garland fans, wearing gingham or pink tulle gowns, per
Friend of Dorothy
Decoder Bell is a podcast about cracking cultural mysteries. Every episode, host Willa Paskin takes on a cultural question, dissent, idea, or behavior and speaks with experts, historians, and obsessives to experiment and figure out where it comes from, what it means, and why it matters.
When Peter Mac was juvenile, he found solace from his troubles in the voice of Judy Garland. He’s now been a Judy Garland impersonator for 17 years. On this episode of Decoder Ring we investigate the special valence that Judy Garland has for homosexual people, the history of female impersonation on stage, and what the future might hold for Judy Garland as an icon.
Some of the voices in this episode incorporate Peter Mac, Dr. John Mac Schaefer, Joe E. Jeffreys*, drag historian and professor at NYU and The Novel School, Frank DeCaro, author of Drag: Combing Through the Big Wigs of Show Business, queenly queen and impersonator Queen Robert, and Bryan Lowder, scribe and host of Outward, Slate’s LGBTQ podcast.
Correction, Feb. 10, 2020: This page originally misspelled Joe E. Jeffreys’ last name.
The modern LGBT Rights movement arguably began 47 years ago—in part, some would say, as a response to the death of unique gay icon Judy Garland around the time of the Stonewall riots. This year, a very special celebration of this Pride milestone is taking place when Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright returns to Carnegie Hall June 16-17 to recreate his 2006 Carnegie shows, inspired by Judy Garland’s legendary April 23, 1961, performance at the venue, often referred to as “The Greatest Evening in Show Business History.” For many fans, there is great synergy in this confluence of gay icon Garland’s classic program and Wainwright—a trailblazing painter who has been out of the closet from the beginning of his career in the 1990s.
How has the Judy Garland program changed for you now after ten years?
Rufus Wainwright: This time around, it’s centered more on me, what the songs mean to me now after ten years of fame here and there. This material is built to absorb all the kicks life has to give. Whether it’s childbirth or death or marriage or war or peace, these songs become a prism for those enormous experiences. So I’m excited to warble them now with a little more time un
Judy Garland goes with same-sex attracted men like… Oh I don’t know – ruby slippers go with rainbows.
Judy as Beloved Camp Representative is almost as integral to her Legend, personae and stardom as Tragic Judy is – and, of course, they are intertwined.
Queer Judy is a central theme in For The Love Of Judy, but I’ve been putting off writing about it. Oh I’ve addressed aspects in some blog articles, and I post a lot about it on facebook and twitter. But as the subject of a whole blog announce, I’ve been reluctant. And this is because there is so much that I could write about it. I could carry out a whole book (and, heck, maybe one evening I will. I’ll insert it to the list). But, you know, I am writing a business and making a motion picture about it, so this will be addressed!
For now, I thought I’d jot down some of the key elements I am ruminating on the topic – so’s you realize what I’m thinking, but also, because I would love people to fetch in touch and present me their take on it, especially queer Judy fans. Then you might become part of the film! How fabulous!
Oh and actually, as it’s all part of the context of queer, I’m interested in what straight Judy fans think about this too. Don’t be nervous, one and all! (mewsetteentertain