Is Joan Crawford A Gay Icon? If So Why?

From the 1920s to the 1970s...one word: SURVIVOR. Well maybe another word as well, GLAMOUR.

Dammit Carol Sue, where is the vodka?!

Look at the guests at her Jenny Stewart's party. Do the math.

I think Crawford is a polarizing figure. You either love her or hate her. I go through phases where I adore her but she's a bit much for me to take on a daily basis. One definitely has to be in a certain mood to view her films. She did go through a stage where her physical appearance was rather.....severe (to put in diplomatically). I think she was attempting to hold on to her youth but the cropped auburn hair, jet black brows and over painted mouth were doing her no favors. I chalk that up to the era. It seemed like the makeup and hairstyles of the time were very aging. A good example of this is Judy Garland in A Star Is Born. She was only 32-33 in that film and looked at least ten years older. Arguably her pill popping and boozing didn't help matters but I think her hairstyle was unflattering and aging.

Not being gay myself, I can only guess that Crawford is a gay icon because she is viewed as a fierce, strong woman. She would not be denied her place as a star and refused to be pushed aside by studio heads who thought she was too old. There's also the glamour aspect. Even when she looked a bit insane, she still put on the dog with her Jean Louis gowns and jewels.

Hi Joe, whatcha know?

I think three words sum up why some gay men have given Joan Crawford iconic status: brows, balls, and bitchiness. Throw in over-the-top behavior, an aversion to wire hangers, and too much cologne -- JC doused herself with Youth Dew -- and you have the archetypal gay man. And if tubes of "Fresh Balls" had been available in Joan's time, she would have used that too both on her own and on the countless pairs that swung into her life. (With the holiday season upon us again, remember that "Fresh Balls" makes a great stocking-stuffer for that special someone in your life! It'll make him feel much more confident and you won't have to make that face anymore. Read the rave reviews and get a tube or two today at amazon!)

And like many a drag queen, Joan was all flourish and image, but once the makeup, fuchsia gown, ten pound wig, and Pepsi Cola bottle cap necklace came off, the bitching and raging began. In other words, just another day in the average gay person's life.

So there you go, Joe. I hope this answers your question.

But here you are, starting a thread about her. I think it's time you come out of your Crawford closet, joeparkson. (Also, you never returned to the thread you started, so this may have just been an act of random trollism.)

She also had a good deal of gay friends who she was always very open and accepting of.