Why do gay men love judy garland so much
Are you a Confidant of Dorothy? When I first heard of this word – a confidential 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 delightful and lovely!
Now, there’s an alternate theory that the Dorothy in question is not Dorothy Gale but Dorothy Parker – wit, sitter at round tables and ally to the gays… whatever the origin, I’d argue that when people use and hear the phrase now, they associate it with Wizard of Oz/Garland and may not even know about the Parker reference. And aren’t the authentic ‘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 few years away and to locate out this existed, well, it felt like it was all meant to be. There’s no place like house. So I went along. I expected to be welcomed into an emerald and ruby sanctuary, as gay and camp as it comes, full to brimming with glittering queers who were massive Garland fans, wearing gingham or pink tulle gowns, per
The modern LGBT Rights movement arguably began 47 years ago—in part, some would say, as a response to the death of singular gay icon Judy Garland around the moment 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 Night 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 artist 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 occasion 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 change into a prism for those big experiences. So I’m excited to sing them now with a petty more time un
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 change 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 customs today. Source: Getty Images, NBC
Judy Garland goes with homosexual men like… Oh I don’t know – ruby slippers go with rainbows.
Judy as Beloved Camp Legend 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 send, I’ve been reluctant. And this is because there is so much that I could write about it. I could accomplish a whole book (and, heck, maybe one afternoon I will. I’ll append it to the list). But, you know, I am writing a display and making a production 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 earn 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 reserved, one and all! (mewsetteentertain
Friend of Dorothy
Decoder Chime is a podcast about cracking cultural mysteries. Every episode, host Willa Paskin takes on a cultural question, protest, idea, or behavior and speaks with experts, historians, and obsessives to attempt and figure out where it comes from, what it means, and why it matters.
When Peter Mac was adolescent, 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 travel the special valence that Judy Garland has for gay 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 Unused School, Frank DeCaro, author of Drag: Combing Through the Big Wigs of Show Business, queenly queen and impersonator Queen Robert, and Bryan Lowder, author and host of Outward, Slate’s LGBTQ podcast.
Correction, Feb. 10, 2020: This page originally misspelled Joe E. Jeffreys’ last name.