Why is judy garland a gay icon

His positions counted. Everyone has the right to be who they are. Jesus did not condemn gay people. Why should we? God bless Judy Garland. Rest in peace. She was gorgeous, smart, talented You did a good job. But there never was, nor ever shall be another Judy Garland. Haven't had chance to see you as Judy. Im sure you did a wonderful job but you always a hell of job in all of movie you choose but I'm a a big fan of Miss Potter it makes me cry every time.

Love it. There was Broadway play titled Under the Rainbow. The impact Garland had on her gay fans has never been up for debate.

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. Lonely, the star invites the pair to join her for dinner. Later on in the night, Garland finds herself at Stan and Dan's apartment, learning all about the challenges faced by gay people in London at a time where homosexuality meant persecution.

They explained to her, through tears, just how much her music had helped them. While the film's subplot may act as something of a history lesson for younger viewers, many don't need reminding, with Garland's status as a gay icon interwoven into our collective understanding and appreciation of gay culture. She better slay. It only takes a minute and helps support original, in-depth journalism. Thank you! Love film? If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Culture, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.

And if you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc. Film Film history. Why is Judy Garland the ultimate gay icon? Share using Email. By Louis Staples 24th September Homosexuals understand suffering. And so does Garland — Esquire magazine, Like Judy Garland, gay men are brought up to be ordinary. One is not brought up gay — Richard Dyer. It annoys me when she gets boiled down to just how tragic she was.

It's a disservice to her body of work — Ross Semple. Queens would come to a Judy Garland concert and then scream at her when she was too drunk to finish it — Dr Michael Bronski. Around the BBC. She soon developed insomnia due to the drugs she was taking, which was treated with sleeping pills on top of the medication she was already taking. By the time Garland won an Oscar in , she was already in the throes of addiction.

Despite her career taking off, the young actress experienced severe mood swings, bouts of depression, increased dependency on alcohol, and the continued criticism from the film studios about her appearance and weight. Despite her success, she was gradually squeezed out of castings, and was considered a black sheep in Hollywood.

She continued fighting her addictions for all of her life, until they ultimately got the better of her. The young star had five marriages, each with troubling stories, including deception, alleged violence, and divorces. Judy Garland married her first husband David Rose in at the age of