Top 20 Gay Icons of All Time (Ranked by Gay Twitter)
We polled Gay Twitter, TikTok, and every gay group chat to answer the question: Who are the ultimate gay icons? The results are in, and they're exactly as chaotic and correct as you'd expect.
What Makes a Gay Icon?
Before we dive in, let's define what makes someone a gay icon:
The criteria:
- They get us: Their music/art speaks to the gay experience
- They support us: They're vocal about LGBTQ+ rights
- They're camp: They're dramatic, fabulous, and unapologetic
- They're relatable: We see ourselves in them
- They're iconic: They've made a lasting impact on gay culture
The reality: Not all gay icons are LGBTQ+ themselves, but they all understand and celebrate gay culture.
20. Britney Spears
Why she's an icon:
"Toxic" is the gay anthemShe's been through it (we relate)She's unapologetically herselfShe's camp and dramaticShe's a survivorThe gay moments:
"Toxic" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Oops!... I Did It Again" (camp)"Stronger" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
19. Kylie Minogue
Why she's an icon:
"Can't Get You Out of My Head" is the gay anthemShe's been around foreverShe's camp and fabulousShe's unapologetically herselfShe's a survivorThe gay moments:
"Can't Get You Out of My Head" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Spinning Around" (camp)"Love at First Sight" (romantic)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
18. Beyoncé
Why she's an icon:
"Formation" is the gay anthemShe's fierce and unapologeticShe's camp and dramaticShe supports LGBTQ+ rightsShe's a queenThe gay moments:
"Formation" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Single Ladies" (camp)"Run the World (Girls)" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
17. Ariana Grande
Why she's an icon:
"Thank U, Next" is the gay anthemShe's been through it (we relate)She's unapologetically herselfShe's camp and dramaticShe's a survivorThe gay moments:
"Thank U, Next" (the ultimate gay anthem)"7 Rings" (camp)"Break Free" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
16. Dolly Parton
Why she's an icon:
"Jolene" is the gay anthemShe's camp and fabulousShe's unapologetically herselfShe supports LGBTQ+ rightsShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"Jolene" (the ultimate gay anthem)"9 to 5" (empowerment)"I Will Always Love You" (romantic)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
15. Liza Minnelli
Why she's an icon:
"Cabaret" is the gay anthemShe's camp and dramaticShe's been around foreverShe's unapologetically herselfShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"Cabaret" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Maybe This Time" (romantic)"New York, New York" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
14. Judy Garland
Why she's an icon:
"Over the Rainbow" is the gay anthemShe's the original gay iconShe's been through it (we relate)She's camp and dramaticShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"Over the Rainbow" (the ultimate gay anthem)"The Trolley Song" (camp)"Get Happy" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
13. Barbra Streisand
Why she's an icon:
"Don't Rain on My Parade" is the gay anthemShe's camp and dramaticShe's been around foreverShe's unapologetically herselfShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"Don't Rain on My Parade" (the ultimate gay anthem)"People" (romantic)"The Way We Were" (emotional)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
12. Diana Ross
Why she's an icon:
"I'm Coming Out" is the gay anthemShe's camp and fabulousShe's been around foreverShe's unapologetically herselfShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"I'm Coming Out" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (empowerment)"Endless Love" (romantic)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
11. Janet Jackson
Why she's an icon:
"Control" is the gay anthemShe's fierce and unapologeticShe's camp and dramaticShe supports LGBTQ+ rightsShe's a queenThe gay moments:
"Control" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Rhythm Nation" (empowerment)"That's the Way Love Goes" (romantic)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
10. Whitney Houston
Why she's an icon:
"I Will Always Love You" is the gay anthemShe's been through it (we relate)She's camp and dramaticShe's unapologetically herselfShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"I Will Always Love You" (the ultimate gay anthem)"I Wanna Dance with Somebody" (camp)"Greatest Love of All" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
9. Mariah Carey
Why she's an icon:
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" is the gay anthemShe's camp and fabulousShe's been around foreverShe's unapologetically herselfShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Fantasy" (camp)"Hero" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
8. Celine Dion
Why she's an icon:
"My Heart Will Go On" is the gay anthemShe's camp and dramaticShe's been around foreverShe's unapologetically herselfShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"My Heart Will Go On" (the ultimate gay anthem)"The Power of Love" (romantic)"Because You Loved Me" (emotional)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
7. Kylie Jenner (Just Kidding)
Actually #7: Cher
Why she's an icon:
"Believe" is the gay anthemShe's camp and fabulousShe's been around foreverShe's unapologetically herselfShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"Believe" (the ultimate gay anthem)"If I Could Turn Back Time" (camp)"Strong Enough" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
6. Rihanna
Why she's an icon:
"We Found Love" is the gay anthemShe's fierce and unapologeticShe's camp and dramaticShe supports LGBTQ+ rightsShe's a queenThe gay moments:
"We Found Love" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Diamonds" (empowerment)"Umbrella" (camp)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
5. Britney Spears (Again, But Higher)
Actually #5: Dua Lipa
Why she's an icon:
"Levitating" is the gay anthemShe's camp and fabulousShe's unapologetically herselfShe supports LGBTQ+ rightsShe's a queenThe gay moments:
"Levitating" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Don't Start Now" (empowerment)"Physical" (camp)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
4. Taylor Swift
Why she's an icon:
"Anti-Hero" is the gay anthemShe's been through it (we relate)She's camp and dramaticShe supports LGBTQ+ rightsShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"Anti-Hero" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Shake It Off" (empowerment)"Look What You Made Me Do" (camp)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
3. Ariana Grande (Again, But Higher)
Actually #3: Lana Del Rey
Why she's an icon:
"Summertime Sadness" is the gay anthemShe's camp and dramaticShe's been through it (we relate)She's unapologetically herselfShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"Summertime Sadness" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Video Games" (romantic)"Born to Die" (emotional)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
2. Lady Gaga
Why she's an icon:
"Born This Way" is the gay anthemShe's camp and fabulousShe's been around foreverShe supports LGBTQ+ rightsShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"Born This Way" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Bad Romance" (camp)"The Edge of Glory" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: Iconic, but not the gayest. We love her, but she's not making us cry.
1. Madonna
Why she's THE icon:
"Like a Prayer" is the gay anthemShe's the original gay iconShe's camp and fabulousShe's been around foreverShe's a legendThe gay moments:
"Like a Prayer" (the ultimate gay anthem)"Vogue" (camp)"Express Yourself" (empowerment)Her entire career (iconic)Verdict: THE gay icon. Period. We love her, and she's making us cry.
The Honorable Mentions
Most Likely to Make You Cry: Whitney Houston
Most Likely to Make You Dance: Britney Spears
Most Likely to Make You Feel Seen: Taylor Swift
Most Likely to Make You Feel Dramatic: Lady Gaga
Most Likely to Make You Feel Iconic: Madonna
What This Actually Means
Let's be real: everyone on this list is a gay icon. This ranking is for fun, but the truth is that these artists have all made a lasting impact on gay culture.
The real takeaway? Gay icons are more than just artists—they're symbols of acceptance, expression, and community. Whether you're a Madonna gay or a Taylor Swift gay, you're valid, you're loved, and you're part of the community.
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Remember: Your favorite gay icon doesn't define you—but it's fun to see where they rank! 🌈✨