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Billboard Named Ariana Grande the 'Gay Icon of Her Generation' and People Are...Confused?
"Shouldn't the gay icon of the generation be someone who's actually gay?"
Earlier this week, music mogul Billboard Magazine published an article titled "8 Reasons Ariana Grande Is the Gay Icon of Her Generation" and received mixed reactions from queer online fans.
\u201c8 reasons why @ArianaGrande is the gay icon of her generation https://t.co/AbPKg07JBK\u201d— billboard (@billboard) 1500490209
The pop princess is an outspoken ally for the LGBT community, and many of her songs have been hailed as gay anthems. Billboard's reasons for Grande's icon status include her "Break Free" music video, her love for her gay brother Frankie Grande, and her 2015 performance at New York City Pride.
All of those things are awesome, and I'm the first one to go off in the club when "Into You" comes on, but does allyship merit icon status? Gay icons over the years have included the likes of Celine Dion to Cher, Whitney Houston to Lady Gaga (who's backtracked on her bisexuality), but isn't it time for a self-identifying queer person to take the title?
Twitter users had many strong opinions and went back and forth in the comments:
None— billboard (@billboard) 1500490209
\u201c@billboard @ArianaGrande 1 reason why she is not. She's straight.\u201d— billboard (@billboard) 1500490209
\u201c@redIikefire so being straight means you can't support the LGBT community\u2026\u201d— billboard (@billboard) 1500490209
\u201c@cashmejustin @redIikefire u can, but why can't an actual lgbt+ person be an icon to the community? straights don't even know our struggles, let em stay in their lane.\u201d— billboard (@billboard) 1500490209
\u201c@billboard @ashleymac31 @ArianaGrande She also incorporates lgbtq visuals & themes in all her concerts & several music videos. Inclusivity is a bigger deal than her impressions.\ud83d\udc95\u201d— billboard (@billboard) 1500490209
\u201c@billboard @ArianaGrande No, Miley and Gaga are\u201d— billboard (@billboard) 1500490209
\u201c@billboard @ArianaGrande Ariana is talented, but she still needs more time to artistically develop before she can be an icon of anything.\u201d— billboard (@billboard) 1500490209
But here's the real question of the hour...if the gays love Ariana so much, why did y'all let "Be Alright" flop?
Is Ariana Grande the gay icon of our generation? Who should it be instead?
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
