Why is Judy Garland so popular with gays and was the overlapping dates of her death and the 1969 Stonewall riots the catalyst?

Answer 1

Let's clear up the second part of the question first before getting into details on the first part.

No, Judy Garland's death (June 22, 1969) at almost the very same time as the Stonewall Riots (June 28, 1969) was not the reason she was popular with gay men. Ms Garland had, even at that time, been a gay icon to many for a couple of decades. The coincidence of the riots and her death probably afforded a little extra emotion to the events but they were not linked.

To many of those in the gay community at the time - and this of course doesn't mean everyone in all gay subcultures - Judy Garland reflected their own state of being in society at large. She had led a life of fame and glitter on the outside but deep hurt and tragedy on the inside, a veritable copy of a gay man's life: successful on the outside, disparaged for their secret by their own straight friends on the inside. The tragic similarities were clear.

Not to be ignored was the fact that Miss Garland was a very accomplished singer and actor and had a large gay following to her shows, both big productions and more personal appearances at piano bars, which became something of a reason for gays to gather in an age when gay social places were nearly non-existent.

Although many older gay men, and it's likely safe to say mostly older gay white men in America, may have viewed her as a gay icon, after almost 40 years, her status as an icon is not anywhere near what it was in the 50's to 70's. Most younger gay people would barely know who she is and rightfully so; Judy Garland is not of the times any more and was a reflection of a period when gays and lesbians were secretive, social outcasts living in an underworld. Today's gays and lesbians have a very different social situation and their icons reflect th more modern aspects of gay life in the early 2000's.

Although Judy Garland is definitely part of gay social history and is still referenced warmly in gay events (like the Judy Garland Memorial Bowling Society) it would be inaccurate to portray her as a popular icon in the modern gay world. There are other people taking over the role of Gay Icon as one would expect. Just as in 20 or 30 years down the road, new gay icons will replace the current set. Hopefully, they too will still have their place in gay history.