Ashley Schnaar

December 7, 2015
WS 304
Research Project: LGBTQ Role Models and Icons

Weebly website URL: ws304.weebly.com

For my research project I chose to look into LGBTQ role models

and icons. I wanted to look at who these historical, prominent figures
are and why they are received as the role models or icons that they
were/are. I also wanted to establish a clear definition of what a role
model is versus an icon. As far as role models, I focused on Troye
Sivan, Tim Gunn, and Ellen. For the LGBTQ icon section of my project I
focused on Judy Garland, as I originally planned. I also incorporated
some scholarly research done regarding LGBTQ role models and their
influence on peoples self-acceptance and coming out process.
Additionally, most people are exposed to LGBTQ figures in TV and
movies. I found it important to touch on the influence of LGBTQ
presence in childrens books. When I began this project I wanted to
focus on Judy Garland, clearly I have transgressed from that original
idea. What I feel I have done is zoomed-out in a sense, to incorporate
the bigger picture of LGBTQ figures.

In 2010 Tim Gunn wrote in his book, Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's
Little Lessons for Making It Work, "One thing that causes me to well up
with emotion is when young men come up to me and say that I've
helped them handle their sexuality, that is, coming to terms with being
gay. It reminds me how lonely I was as a child with no gay role models.
Everyone needs a role model to look up to." (Gunn 2010) Role models
are proven to increase self-esteem and academic performance, reduce
drug and alcohol use, and more (Hewitt 2015). Gay role models are
very important for young people questioning their sexuality in
particular. Especially for those living in conservative areas or small
towns, seeing positive gay figures in the media can give one a more
positive self-image.
Sarah C. Gomillion MS and Traci A. Giuliano PhD conducted a
collection of research in 2011 that was published in Journal of
Homosexuality on The Influence of Media Role Models on Gay,
Lesbian, and Bisexual Identity. The findings of the studies proved that
media role models are sources of pride, inspiration, and comfort. The
researchers feel that media role models serve as a positive influence in
shaping LGBT identity, self-realization, and coming out process.
Additionally, the article cites a different study that came up with two
different types of role model identification: similarity identification and
wishful identification. Similarity identification is defined as finding
similarities with or idealizing a media figure and living vicariously

through his or her activities and wishful identification is when an

individual desires to resemble a media figure due to the media figures
appealing qualities, qualities such as fame or attractiveness. This
relates to the differences I was looking into as far as role models versus
icons. Similarity identification sounds more like a role model, whereas
wishful identification is closer to idols.
The article also addresses the fact that LGBT characters in the
media are often scarce or represented negatively. Commonly,
stereotyped LGBT characters such as the sissy man or the predatory
and lonely lesbian appear. The writers also state that positive changes
in media portrayal of LGBT people could have a lot of influence in
reducing social prejudice and discrimination (Gomillion 2011). This is
where my interest in LGBTQ friendly childrens books comes in. I was
excited to learn that the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has a
website dedicated to helping schools to be LGBTQ friendly and they
have pages specifically on the role of childrens books. They say that it
is important for children to see their reality reflected through the
material presented in class ("Reading LGBT-Inclusive Childrens Books
in Schools"). I feel it is also important for students to understand their
peers families better through the books as well.
There is by far less scholarly research on LGBT icons. The reason
someone is considered an icon and the benefits of having an icon are
apparently hard to research. One article I found, written for the Gay

Voices section of the HuffPost, says that attraction to certain celebrities

as icons may have to do with both the camp-like humor they possess
and a tragic element about them. Additionally, the author says, We
gravitate to the characters the actresses play so brilliantly, such as
Bette Davis in roles where she is often feisty and strident but also
misunderstood and deeply vulnerable in the final analysis (Martin
2013).
Judy Garland is arguably the most famous LGBTQ icon there is.
Judy knew about her following from the community, and specifically
gay men, and defended them in a few interviews. The name "Friend of
Dorothy" (Garland's character in the Wizard of Oz) is used to identify
oneself or others as being in the LGBTQ community. It has been
theorized that her following was in part due to the optimistic messages
she sang about (like in Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Get Happy).
Also the symbol of the rainbow for the LGBTQ community is in
Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Furthermore, Judy Garland was
somewhat androgynous and her struggle with body image was
relatable to many in the community. There is an annual concert called
Night Of A Thousand Judys that benefits LGBT youth, obviously in her
name. Additionally, the first Stonewall riot occurred the night of Judy's
funeral and there is some speculation that there is a connection there.
To conclude, this project allowed me to learn more about queer
role models and icons. I now have a better understanding of what

makes a role model and icon while being mindful that it varies from
person to person. Role models at least have the potential to make
people feel more comfortable with themselves as well as give them
someone to strive to be like.

Work Cited
Gomillion, Sarah C., MS, and Traci A. Giuliano, PhD. "The Influence of
Media Role Models on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Identity." Tyler and
Francis Online.

Journal of Homosexuality, 25 Feb. 2011. Web. 8 Dec.

2015.
Gunn, Tim. "Gunn's Golden Rules." Google Books. Gallery Books, 2010.
Web. 08 Dec.
2015.
Hewitt, Doug. "Effects of Good Role Models." LIVESTRONG.COM.
LIVESTRONG.COM,

27 June 2015. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.

Martin, Trevor. "Why Do Gay Men Historically Adopt Female Stars as

Their Icons?"

The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost, 12 Sept.

2013. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.

"Reading LGBT-Inclusive Childrens Books in Schools." Welcoming
Schools. Human Rights Campaign Foundation, 2012. Web. 8 Dec.
2015.