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Of queens and princesses

By on April 11, 2012

I had a heated exchange last week over whether my queen, Lady Gaga, takes advantage of the gay community, the pink dollar, and our total obsession and complete devotion towards pop divas for her own gain.

We gays are a lucrative market. When it comes to performers we like something different and sometimes totally outrageous.

But always we demand quality.

Madonna, Dolly Parton, Cher, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Kylie Minogue, Beyonce, Cyndi Lauper, Pink, Katy Perry — the list literally goes on.

All of these divas got to where they are by appealing to the gays in one way or another, whether it be through their art or through activism.

And while some may view this negatively, maybe even pessimistically, I welcome their contribution to our community and to our activism however small and for whatever alternative reasoning they may have.

Some divas, like Madonna and Kylie, are credited with incorporating LGBTIQ people, trends and symbols into their art.

Others aim to raise visibility of LGBTIQ issues like Katy Perry with music video Firework and Nicki Minaj teaming up with M.A.C to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

But when a diva really shines is when she breaks away from her art and takes the time to speak out on an issue of her own accord, when she rallies behind the people rather than having people rally behind her.
That’s fierce.

All the aforementioned divas have spoken out, but the one who has had the biggest effect on me is Lady Gaga.

She marched in the 2009 National Equality March and became a true activist in the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’.

I have faith it’s not for the money and that these divas really believe in what they do and say.

Either way, in this fight for liberty and equality that so desperately needs visibility, leaders and numbers — we win!

About Jesse Matheson

2 Comments

  1. Bipolar Bear

    April 13, 2012 at 5:31 am


    I think Lady Gaga has walked the talk when it comes to activism, and some of the vitriol that’s been thrown her way I think is unfair. Sure, hate her records if you like, but you can’t deny that she’s committed to equality and has gone beyond what a pop star would normally do in the service of that – threatening to withdraw her album from a major retailer because of homophobic policies for example:

    http://bipolarbear.co.nz/2011/06/10/acceptable-allies/

  2. Jason Marshall

    April 20, 2012 at 3:22 am


    The most hilarious thing about this piece is that the man who first uttered the words “pink dollar” in australia was the founder of this newspaper.

    “we must chase the pink dollar” he was quoted as saying.

    It was one of the key reasonings why MG was moved from the stonewall riots anniversary to summer.

    According to a couple of 78′ers.

    #justsayin

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