Comments on 2015Place.com: Jimmy James: Imitation is the sincerest form of fl...

As a side note, Jimmy James started in the San Ant...

2008-05-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

As a side note, Jimmy James started in the San Antonio area. I managed a gay bar back then and had the pleasure to see Jimmy perform several times.
I was in attendance when he had his farewell show at the Bonham Exchange in downtown San Antonio.
He always had such great talent we knew he was destined for greatness.
He is one of the few performers that uses his own voice and does not lipsynch.

Tom, thanks - that makes sense. I'm sure that ther...

2008-05-04T04:14:00.000-07:00

Tom, thanks - that makes sense.

I'm sure that there are as many reasons for the phenomena as there are men who admire these women.

I always wondered why THESE particular women, though; I think you brought me a little closer to understanding.

I'll keep looking back to see if anyone else adds a different perspective.

Love!

Chili

This is a difficult question for me because I’m no...

2008-05-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

This is a difficult question for me because I’m not one of those who are so inclined. I’ve always been the dummy who wondered what movie they were quoting (grin). After answering this question that will probably become quite apparent. LOL

I think your point is valid but not the only valid point.

Some are just “camping it up” (having fun). With others it’s quite serious.

As we all know, some gay men are more fem then others. Some identify very strongly with females in all aspects of their life. To me, it seems to be a natural instinct for this type of person to lean towards female “heroes” and “icons” rather than male.

As you stated most of the women and/or roles they played are made of greatness. Some certainly qualify as Divas. Cher, Bette Midler and others definitely fall into this category. They are all role models, Icons, if you will. Strong women who stand up for what they believe in.

After a life of general dislike originating from, for the most part, men, it’s not any wonder many of us identify with women. In general it’s less risky. It’s also good because neither worries about the other wanting to get them in bed. I’ve had women friends tell me stuff they’d never tell their boyfriend. Most of time it was TMI (too much info)!

But it’s interesting once all the pretense of sex is dropped by the wayside a genuine friendship is effortless. [something wrong with that picture – it would suggest many people have to many sexual hangups]

I also think we can identify with women on a couple of levels. Of course most of us are not scarred of our feminine side and many actually embrace it. Also women are part of a once oppressed group and in general are more understanding and caring.

I once had a drag queen tell me “I look forward to the day when drag queens don’t exist anymore because that will mean we’ve gained equality”. Personally I don’t think the drag queens will go away. For so many gay men it’s just fun. In the least, there will always be benefit shows.

But, for some, it’s “an extreme” used to make a point. We’re here and we’re queer!

We have been in the closet for ages and ages. Obviously that wasn’t working. People get fed up after time and stand up.

That’s what many of these female Icons do/did also. They stand up, speak out and take action! They’re inspirational.

Perhaps someone else will chime in with a better answer.

Okay, look; I've got a genuine and honest question...

2008-05-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, look; I've got a genuine and honest question. Please take this seriously - I'm not being a wise-ass here.

I've spent a lot of time around queer folk, and no one's been able to adequately explain the passion that (many) gays have for the likes of Streisand, Garland, and West. I had a pair of uncles who couldn't get enough of Barbara Streisand and Judy Garland, and they had a transvestite friend who was, I swear, a reincarnation of Mae West (I LOVED her - she was one of my foundational experiences with the queer community, and I miss her to this day - remind me to tell you our story sometime).

My completely uneducated guess is that it's because these woman, and others like them, are so (for lack of a better word) OUT in their professional lives - they're larger than life and slightly outrageous (Cher crosses the "slightly" line, but you know what I mean) - is that part of their appeal?

Try to explain this in a way that a straight girl can understand, please. It's been a question I've been mulling for literally 30 years....