Lesbian Culture: Part 2 - Icons

submitted by WanderingElephant from (self.Lesbians)

I figured we all probably know a lot of gay icons but who do you consider Lesbian Icons and why? I'll start with mine. Marlene Dietrich: GNC, Badass with attitude, founder of "The Sewing Circle" an old timey Hollywood lesbian dating/ hook up network, total "strong woman" vibes, NFG, hotter than a summer in Cairo.

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[–]VioletRemi 10 insightful - 3 fun10 insightful - 2 fun11 insightful - 3 fun -  (0 children)

Most of my icons are feminists. But I really happy when lesbians are achieving great achievements and not afraid to come out, and showing on their example that lesbians still exist. Lesbians are very underrepresented everywhere, there much more gay men or bisexuals among famous people. So every time I learn about someone famous is a lesbian - it warms my heart and brings a smile to my face. From actresses I liked Jane Lynch and Jodie Foster, for example.

Just existence of Ellen DeGeneres on television helped me a lot during my hard times, and helped me with my sexuality. Even thought I often disagree with her. I guess that can be called icon still?

And today I learned that Froskurinn, first women analytic and caster in LoL, who I really like (both as caster and by looks), is actually a lesbian. So my mood today is very good!

[–][deleted]  (2 children)

[deleted]

    [–]WanderingElephant[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

    I had totally forgotten about Martina Navratilova! Shocking really, because she really should be near the top of list in terms of cultural impact.

    [–][deleted] 10 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 0 fun11 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

    I like Carolyn Franklin for writing the song "Ain't No Way" which was sung by her sister Aretha. It always sounded so gay to me and when I found out she was a lesbian it made me really happy.

    Also Chiu Miao-Chin (novelist) and Sarah Hegazi (notable gay rights activist) are icons for being unapologetically lesbian.

    And lastly, the lesbian lawyer power couple in India that helped gay marriage become legal in their country- Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju.

    [–]WanderingElephant[S] 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    I did not know this! There are so many hidden gems out here!

    [–]SailorMoon2020 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

    It's interesting that both of those women died by suicide. Also Last Words of Montmartre was beautiful. It was such a good book, especially since only recently books on lesbian Asians are just really starting to see the light of day.

    [–][deleted] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

    Yeah, I grouped them together cuz of that but I was worried that it was too depressing to mention for a lighthearted post.

    Its so cool to learn about lesbians from different cultural backgrounds cuz we really are everywhere. I was also thinking about adding Ratana Satis (Thai Manga Artist), but I dont know much about her other than reading Pulse which was really good.

    [–]WanderingElephant[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    I'm learning so much about Icons I would normally never have been exposed to. This makes me more than a little sad. However, it has also reminded me of the diverse awesomeness of what truly is a global community. That's a very good feeling to have again.

    [–][deleted] 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

    Lesbians are homosexual women. Bisexuality is a different sexuality.

    [–]WanderingElephant[S] 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    Homosexuality and Bisexuality are different. However, Lesbians, Bisexual women and even Straight women do interact, they do influence, and are influenced by each other because they are all women. Lesbians, being women, and attracted only to women, understand this better than anyone else. That's my view anyway. Plus my my deal with Marlene is probably more of an affair rather than a relationship ;-)

    [–]SailorMoon2020 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

    When you say lesbian, do you mean women loving women regardless of they're homosexual or bisexual? Marlene was bisexual along with Greta Garbo, and Tallulah Bankhead.

    For old timers, it would be Gladis Bently for she was black and non-apologetic of her sexual and romantic relations. She was New York's city first same sex marriage which was also interracial.

    Tallulah Bankhead for she loved to swirl (interracial date) with the ladies. Of course, during a time of segregation, that was a big deal! She helped many of the black women she slept with and had relations with get notoriety with all white establishments. She fought for civil rights and bailed many of her friends out of jail who participated in protest. She was an avid visitor of Harlem and Ball Culture. She is rumored to have had a relationship with Haddie McDaniel but is confirmed to have also slept with and had relations with Gladis Bentley, and Billie Holiday.

    During this modern period...there's no one that comes to mind...all right back to work I go!

    [–]WanderingElephant[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    Yes, you are quite right, we need to agree the criteria! I think the complications of history suggest broad admittance into the Lesbian Icon Club? I would suggest we could generally include women who love women? What do people think? This is, sadly, the first time I have heard of Gladis Bentley and she sounds amazing ?! Off to do some reading on her!!

    [–]reluctant_commenter 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (9 children)

    I think Hayley Kiyoko might qualify? Her music video "Girls Like Girls" was one of the first things that helped me consciously question my sexuality. She IDs as lesbian and a lot of her music is about being gay.

    [–]VioletRemi 13 insightful - 3 fun13 insightful - 2 fun14 insightful - 3 fun -  (4 children)

    It reminded me about T.A.T.U. and Katy Perry "I kiss a girl", which helped me too. Even thought they all are straight.

    [–]blackrainbow 6 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

    T.A.T.U.'s kiss was often censored, it's crazy to think about it now

    [–]WanderingElephant[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

    One of mine was Madonna. She is also straight but she was the first women I saw owning female sexuality and she got a lot of vitriol for it back in the day. She showed me that female sexuality was powerful and a part of who I am as a woman; to never appologise for it, and, to express it fully -whatever the consequences, whatever "they" think. As being a Lesbian is really reliant on female sexuality, I'm gonna try and nominate her as an honourable mention, on that basis :-)

    [–]VioletRemi 10 insightful - 3 fun10 insightful - 2 fun11 insightful - 3 fun -  (1 child)

    I remember Madonna and Britney kiss! I was shocked to see such stuff on TV!

    [–]WanderingElephant[S] 6 insightful - 3 fun6 insightful - 2 fun7 insightful - 3 fun -  (0 children)

    Madonna definitely looked like she'd kissed a woman before. Britney......not so much! 😆

    [–]sootsprite 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

    My appreciation for Hayley Kiyoko grew when I saw a clip of her on stage bringing up the rumor of her being bisexual rather than gay, and she shut that shit down. Unapologetic lesbians are best lesbians

    [–]reluctant_commenter 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

    That's awesome! Wait do you know what show/clip that was?

    [–]sootsprite 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

    Sorry I saw it posted on tumblr and I don't have it saved, but it was someone recording her at a performance

    [–]reluctant_commenter 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    No worries! I'll try to find it.

    [–]Innisfree 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

    Jodie Foster was my hero. Even if she didn't officially come out, I reckon as a kid I recognized something of myself in her. Some 'otherness' if you will. It made me feel ok about being different. Plus even if she weren't gay, her intellectual take on things is pretty interesting. If you look at her filmography, things like "Little Man Tate", "Nell", "Silence of the Lambs" show a great mind at work, an interest for alternative perspectives, a sensibility for different minds, strong characters and in general a way of being in the world that allows you to confront hostility while maintaining your dignity.