Try to pick someone before the 20th century. The person doesn't have to be "out", or famous for being "gay".. just the first famous gay person from history that comes into your head!
2006-10-20 00:10:21 · 18 answers · asked by Janji 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
J. Edgar Hoover. Head of the FBI in the '40's and '50's.
I pick him him for mention because he was once the 'epitome' of 'masculinity, family values and the American way' when secretly he loved cross-dressing and loved sleepin with men half his age.
2006-10-20 00:15:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Harvey Milk (City Coun. San Francisco), because he was a symbol of what one gay man could do in the midst of political hostility. His death at the hands of a homophobic hater in the 1970's, who sadly, got off the murder charge (convicted and sentenced for manslaughter and a light sentence) because of the 'twinkie' defense, galvanized gay rights activists and has been considered gaydoms version of the JFK assassination. It brought to the fore the need for gays to fight that much harder against all forms of abuse and hatred. It also allowed gays to show how strong we were, after the trial and the ridiculous sentence, instead of rioting (which some in San Francisco thought would happen), a multitude of gays simply marched in a candlelight vigil, thus showing the world that we were angry but, unlike the haters, we would not use violence. The juxtaposition of the murder and the gay response sent a clear message, which is still needed today.
2006-10-20 02:39:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Edward II English King 13 Century
2006-10-20 00:20:05 · answer #3 · answered by P M 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Michelangelo. Definitely the first big name that pops into my head. His "The Dying Slave" is the most amazing homo-erotic sculpture around. Supposedly a hostage yielding to his shackles; more likely just a guy with a hot body and Mike said, "Have you ever modeled before? You could, you really could, you know!" : )
A Christian acquaintance once forbade her kids listening to "The Lion King" because the music had been written by a gay man, Elton John. I wondered if that applied to poetry -- no Walt Whitman! -- art -- no Michelangelo or Da Vinci! -- literature -- no Truman Capote! etc, etc...
2006-10-20 00:54:34 · answer #4 · answered by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Walt Whitman
2006-10-20 15:03:32 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oscar Wilde:" Though Wilde's sexual orientation has variously been considered bisexual, homosexual, and pederastic, Wilde himself felt he belonged to a culture of male love inspired by the Greek pederastic tradition.[1] . His most significant sexual relationships appear to have been (in chronological order) with (perhaps) Frank Miles, Constance Lloyd (Wilde's wife), Robert Baldwin Ross, and Lord Alfred Douglas. Wilde also had numerous sexual encounters with working-class male youths, who were often rent boys."
For being brave, for writing the most amazingly witty and intelligent plays and because my first lover used to read passages from Wilde's diary of when he was in jail for loving men and not denying his sexuality in a time, when most men did.
2006-10-20 01:08:32 · answer #6 · answered by Orditz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
King James of England, Son of Mary Queen of Scots, nephew of Elizabeth, Compiler of the Noted Book....The KING JAMES VERSION OF THE BIBLE
(look it up)
2006-10-20 04:58:15 · answer #7 · answered by Matt Z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Elton John
first old gay that came to my head!
2006-10-20 00:34:22 · answer #8 · answered by ☺Everybody still loves Chris!♥▼© 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cary Grant ,He portrayed a womanizer in all his movies.I believe He was the first to "come out"
2006-10-20 00:22:52 · answer #9 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oscar Wilde, poet, why him? just the first gay man that I thought of...
2006-10-20 00:13:15 · answer #10 · answered by Marnster 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋