# Who is the most famous homosexual? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009 "2009-07-14T18:05:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/21 "2009-07-14T20:03:46Z")
By “homosexual,” are you specifically excluding bisexuals? That would be difficult for interpreting historical figures who were silent on their orientation. Is there evidence that Leonardo da Vinci and Sappho were never in any sort of heterosexual relationship? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/22 "2009-07-14T20:49:57Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Is there evidence that Leonardo da Vinci and Sappho were never in any sort of heterosexual relationship? Well, Sappho had a daughter, so she must have had at least one heterosexual relationship. The thing with Sappho is, we don’t know that she had any homosexual relationships. All we know for sure is that some of her poetry were romantic odes to women. As for Leonardo, there’s not really any evidence that he had any romantic or sexual relationships at all. It was a subject that, if he had them, he kept quiet about. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/23 "2009-07-14T20:53:15Z")
Worldwide? Does it have to be gay-gay, or does 90%gay count? If 90/10 works, then Freddie, of course. And sorry, but many of the people named in this thread aren’t household names outside of a few countries (Liberace, for example). ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/24 "2009-07-14T20:53:23Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Most famous worldwide? Because I don’t think too many people would be aware of the literary or historical figures being mentioned. > > My guess would be Liberace. Liberace came to mind first for me. Then Elton John. Then Oscar Wilde. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/25 "2009-07-14T21:07:31Z")
I still think Elton wins this thread, but Oscar Wilde is an excellent choice in play. How about tennis pro Bill Tilden? Scientist Alan Turing? I think Ellen is the most famous lesbian in America, but worldwide it’s hard to say. Maybe Rosie O’Donnell is also in the running. Lesbians of old… the best I can come up with is Gertrude Stein. I think this is hard because of historical prejudice vs. LGBTQ folks. Most of the old school folks are “rumored” or “suspected” to be homosexual. There are tons of folks who are famous for any number of things and happened to be gay, but we didn’t (or don’t) know it. We’d probably find them in the creative arts, where it seems that there is a more accepting attitude about homosexuality. I’ll peek through the Gay Book of Lists when I get home, if I remember… ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/26 "2009-07-14T21:12:24Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > Lesbians of old… the best I can come up with is Gertrude Stein. If bisexuals count, what about Frida Kahlo? (Meanwhile, **Electric Warrior** makes the brilliant observation of who Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz’s characters were based on in _Vicky Cristina Barcelona_.) ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/27 "2009-07-14T21:15:56Z")
I think people should list where they’re from and live when answering to this thread. Listen guys, _nobody_ knows who Liberace is in most of the world, and Elton John isn’t anywhere near as famous in countries where English is not the official language as Mick Jagger, David Bowie or Freddie Mercury. For most people, Elton John is “that guy who sang the Lady Di song.” Of course, if in “worldwide” you’re using the same definition as in “world series,” go ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/28 "2009-07-14T21:16:33Z")
> [@Electric\_Warrior](#): > > Isn’t it “da Vinci”? Or, more appropriately, Leonardo? (da Vinci was not his surname) 😛 The reason I wrote “even at my most pedantic” was that the artist best known for the _Mona Lisa_ has no surname; he is properly referred to as _Leonoardo_, as you note. Modern usage is to treat _da Vinci_ as his surname, which is rather, um, ethnocentric, but I was not going to bitch about it. I was however bitching at the idea of smushing the _da_ and _Vinci_ into a single word. I didn’t comment on the capitalization of the _da_ because the usage patterns demands it. That is, if you’re going to use act as if _da Vinci_ is a contemporary-style surname, the _d_ must be capitalized. ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/29 "2009-07-14T21:17:33Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > The reason I wrote “even at my most pedantic” was that the artist best known for the _Mona Lisa_ has no surname; he is properly referred to as _Leonoardo_, as you note. Modern usage is to treat _da Vinci_ as his surname, which is rather, um, ethnocentric, but I was not going to bitch about it. I was however bitching at the idea of smushing the _da_ and _Vinci_ into a single word. > > I didn’t comment on the capitalization of the _da_ because the usage patterns demands it. That is, if you’re going to use act as if _da Vinci_ is a contemporary-style surname, the _d_ must be capitalized. Ha, I was just trying to out-pedant you 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/30 "2009-07-14T21:18:13Z")
> [@Electric\_Warrior](#): > > Isn’t it “da Vinci”? Or, more appropriately, Leonardo? (da Vinci was not his surname) 😛 > > As to the question asked in the OP, normally I’d say Elton John, but that Adam Lambert is a household name these days isn’t he? Adam Lambert isn’t a household name in my household. At least, I haven’t a clue who he is. Anybody want to fight my ignorance? ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/31 "2009-07-14T21:21:49Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Adam Lambert isn’t a household name in my household. At least, I haven’t a clue who he is. Anybody want to fight my ignorance? At the risk of turning this thread into a conversation, he was second place on American Idol and made waves for potentially being the first gay American Idol winner. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/32 "2009-07-14T21:29:26Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I didn’t comment on the capitalization of the _da_ because the usage patterns demands it. That is, if you’re going to use act as if _da Vinci_ is a contemporary-style surname, the _d_ must be capitalized. Maybe in English, but not in Italian. I’ve had Italian coworkers whose lastnames had that kind of structure and no initial capital. Of course they may have been spelling snobs, but they didn’t generally strike me as that kind of person. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/33 "2009-07-14T21:32:39Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Listen guys, _nobody_ knows who Liberace is in most of the world, and Elton John isn’t anywhere near as famous in countries where English is not the official language as Mick Jagger, David Bowie or Freddie Mercury. For most people, Elton John is “that guy who sang the Lady Di song.” Agree with you on Liberace. I’m a fairly cultured American and I barely know who he is/was. I don’t agree with your other observations. First, are we looking at lesbian and gay people, or anyone who doesn’t identify strictly as heterosexual? Because I don’t think either Jagger or Bowie are homosexual - in fact, I think they are straight guys who experimented a little. (On reference, Bowie seems to have given conflicting interviews about his bisexuality, and I don’t find anything about Jagger… he’s had lots of straight sex, though :)) Freddie Mercury is a good nominee. But I think his death and the fact that Queen’s prominence was two decades, as compared to Elton being famous for four, means that he isn’t as famous as Elton. Even if Elton is known only to some as the Lady Di song-singer… that’s a pretty famous song. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/34 "2009-07-14T21:50:14Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I think people should list where they’re from and live when answering to this thread. > Listen guys, _nobody_ knows who Liberace is in most of the world, and Elton John isn’t anywhere near as famous in countries where English is not the official language as Mick Jagger, David Bowie or Freddie Mercury. For most people, Elton John is “that guy who sang the Lady Di song.” Does Mick Jagger really count as homosexual, though? ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/35 "2009-07-14T21:50:20Z")
Alexander the Great. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/36 "2009-07-14T21:59:05Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Maybe in English, but not in Italian. I’ve had Italian coworkers whose lastnames had that kind of structure and no initial capital. Of course they may have been spelling snobs, but they didn’t generally strike me as that kind of person. You may have noticed that the SDMB is in English. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/37 "2009-07-14T22:03:34Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > And sorry, but many of the people named in this thread aren’t household names outside of a few countries (Liberace, for example). > > Listen guys, _nobody_ knows who Liberace is in most of the world, and Elton John isn’t anywhere near as famous in countries where English is not the official language as Mick Jagger, David Bowie or Freddie Mercury. For most people, Elton John is “that guy who sang the Lady Di song.” > > Of course, if in “worldwide” you’re using the same definition as in “world series,” go ahead. Not digging your “we’re such silly English-centric folks” attitude. Can you offer some support for your claims, oh Citizen of the World? I picked Liberace due to his being around longer than the other names and therefore would be more well-known to a wider demographic. I assure you my parents / grandparents would have no idea who Freddie Mercury is, but would certainly know Liberace. Seems like a few non-English folks from that Demographic probably caught a glimpse of him during his World Tours, specifically the famous ones to Cuba, his tour of Europe, the time he met the Pope, and the time he performed the first televised command performance for the Queen: > [@](#): > > In 1956, Liberace had his first international engagement, playing successfully in Havana, Cuba. He followed up with a European tour later that year. Always a devout Catholic, Liberace considered his meeting with Pope Pius XII a highlight of his life. In 1960, Liberace performed at the London Palladium with Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr. (this was the first televised “command performance”, now known as “The Royal Variety Show” for Queen Elizabeth II). ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/38 "2009-07-14T22:10:48Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > … Elton John isn’t anywhere near as famous in countries where English is not the official language as Mick Jagger, David Bowie or Freddie Mercury. Is this true? Sir Elton’s profile in places such as Japan and Brazil is lower than Mick/David/Freddie’s? Surely Elton John has performed numerous times in scores of non-English speaking countries? Or hasn’t he? EDIT: I thought Liberace was a worldwide performer, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/39 "2009-07-14T22:27:36Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Is this true? Sir Elton’s profile in places such as Japan and Brazil is lower than Mick/David/Freddie’s? Surely Elton John has performed numerous times in scores of non-English speaking countries? Or hasn’t he? > > EDIT: I thought Liberace was a worldwide performer, as well. “We will rock you” and “We are the champions” are performed so often at sports events that it’s taken for granted that they will. If any of the Beatles was homo or bisexual, I would put that one at the top of the ranking. Madonna, who has at least flirted with homoeroticism, is on a par with Mercury. But very few more people. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009/40 "2009-07-14T23:18:57Z")
Oscar Wilde? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-famous-homosexual/503009.md?page=3)