Are Straight Gay Icons truly Gay-Friendly or not?

M - the most worshipped alphabet in the gay arena. Think M(en). Think M(adonna). If you can't think further, the record companies can think of more - M(arketing) and M(oney).

In the latest issue of Forbes [Celebrity 100], Madonna is ranked No.3 as the world's most powerful celebrity and ranked No. 9 as the highest pay star. Beside grossing 72 million in earning, her 'Confession' Tour last year hit the cash register at 194 million, the most profitable tour for female artiste. Boy George, former Culture Club's androgynous singer lambasted Madonna for making money out of gay people but yet she is a part of Kabbalah, a religious sect which he claimed to be anti-gay. If the fat Karma Chameleon's words were true, will Madonna remain within the top 10 ranking if we take away her large base of gay fans? If the gay market is not lucrative, what made Enrique Iglesias jumped into the bandwagon? (see detail below). Bananation explores the agendas behind gay-friendly celebrities and their music career being a gay icon. On a scale of $ $ $ $ $, Bananation rates the stars' agenda level.

The Modern Queen of Fag Hag - Madonna

In 2003, Madonna kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the MTV Video Music Award and her daughter questioned her if she were gay. In 2006, she declared to chat show host, Michael Parkinson that she is a gay man trapped in a woman's body. Then in her Confessions Tour, she angered the Middle Eastern nation when two topless male dancers, one with a Jewish symbol and another a Muslim symbol painted on their chest kissed each other. Is she all OUT to win the hearts of the gay community? Yes. In fact, she enjoyed being the gay icon so much that she is afraid of losing her laurel.

Before Richard Florida wrote about the pink economy in 2002, Madonna ha already orchestrated her move in the 1980s to become a gay icon. She expressed her grief over the loss of her gay friends to AIDS in her song 'Is This Life'. She then provided solace to the closeted gays in 'Deeper and Deeper', a song about 'coming out'. When she finally 'Vogue' her way on MTV channel, every gay man wants to dance and rap like Madonna. In 2005, she solidified her Queen's status by getting her gay entourage 'Hung Up' on the dancefloor with their confessions.

Her Madollar($) aside, she has a story behind her gay appeal. As a teenager, she was motivated by her gay ballet teacher, Christopher Flynn to pursue a professional dancing career at Manhattan. Christopher was the only one who believed in her talents and beauty. She heed his advice and arrived in Manhattan, living among drag queens and gay rentboys. Many of her inspirations came from gay men. Without them, she could now be your next door middle-age woman, Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. And do you know that her younger brother, Christopher Ciccone is gay and choreograhed some of her videos and live show? If Fire Island is thinking of a campaign to promote the isle as a gay men weekend escapez, 'La Isla Bonita' will make a memorable jingle.

Bananation rating:
Gay friendly agenda: $

Princess of Fag Hag - Kylie Minogue

The petite Diva from Melbourne, Australia started her music career as early as Madonna. However, when the Material Girl was already a media sensation all over the world, Kylie is still struggling with her music direction. Although she had a few memorable dance hits between the 1980s and 1990s that struck a cord with the gay community, she remained a relatively unknown in the US. She was only known in her hometown and in Europe.

But in 2001, Cathay Dennis turned Kylie into an international brand with just one song she penned - 'Can't Get You out of My Bed' (oophs, it's out of my Head). The dance hit was the biggest success of her 20-years music career. It topped No.1 on the chart in over 40 countries and skyrocketed her to superstardom. Kylie attracted a sea of gay followings who couldn't get her out of their heads. The hit caused such a trance in gay parties that even the non-English speaking crowd could be heard singing 'na na na...'. To substain the Kylienatic, she overdosed her gay fans with a plethora of skins nudging in slow motion agasint one another by the pool in her music video 'Slow'. She moved on to collaborate with Scissor Sisters for her single ' I Believe in You' to create a synergy between gay artistes and their fans.

The Pop Princess adopts the late Princess Diana's community-walking approach in winning her gay followers. She is active at gay events, venues and she supports AIDS causes. Publicily, she acknowledged that her gay fans are loyal from the beginning. When she made a comback in 2006 after her battle with Breast Cancer in 2005, her gay fans have indeed not forsaken her. Her 'ShowGirl - Homecoming' Tour in Sydney was a triumph.

Bananation rating:
Gay friendly agenda: $$

Gay Curious Pop Maverick - Robbie Williams

Let's assume he is straight for discussion sake. Instead of speaking against his gay rumors, Robbie played hide-and-seek with the media. He admitted to kissing a man but conceded that he was not attracted to men. He claimed that he wouldn't give a toss if people thought he was gay but years later, he sued The People newspaper and the Northern & Shell magazines, Star and Hot Stars, over gay sex allegations. His Barrister, Tom Shields QC told the Court that Robbie is and never has been gay. His media game is lambasted by gay campaigner, Peter Tatchell as an exploitation of the gay market.

When major record companies were condemning illegal music download, Robbie didn't give a damn if people are downloading his music legally or not. He has bigger problems to deal with than to impress anybody. He rather be a pop maverick than be a boot licker. Blame it on his indulgence in dopes, alcohol, sex and more sex - the cause of his pendulumic mood. He probably thought he was gay at the point when he boasted to the media. In his song, "Old before I Die", he questioned if he were straight or gay. In 'Kids', a duet with Kylie Minogue, he sang "The press be asking if I care for sodomy, I don't know, yeah, probably." His other popular hits like 'Supreme', ' Your Gay Friend' and 'We're the Pet Shop Boys" also suggest that Robbie is not a homophobe but just confused .

Being a gay icon is effortless to Robbie: his personal life is already a good marketing mix. His bad boy image is not created; it evolved. Will his music carrer be destoryed like Jason Donovan after winning the case agasint his gay sex allegation? Time will tell. Until he retreats to his cocoon, he is still Britain's biggest pop star.

Bananation rating:
Gay friendly agenda: fook you.

Rising Fag Stag - Enriques Iglesias

He made headlines in the gay community when he sang 'Hero' to a guy in Club G.A.Y, London. Why the sudden change in marketing direction after 10 years in the music career? Was it part of a publicity stunt for his soon-to-be released album 'Insomniac'?

Whatever his record company may be comtemplating, this young lad started out with a strong backbone. He submitted his demo under an uncommon name, Enrique Martinez instead of mentioning his legendary singer-father, Julio Iglesias. He only used his real name after he secured a recording contract with Mexican label 'Fonovisa'. In 1999, he crossed over from Spain to the US with his debut English self titled album and generated hits after hits. To name a few, 'Bailamos (We Dance), 'Be with You' and an international success 'Hero'. He has achieved gold and platinum status in 32 countries.

With his electrifying good look and a wow performance at London's gay pub, surely his new album will sell a few extra million copies worldwide. How could he possibly have insomnia? May be yes but staying awake to think of the next gay pub to perform at.

Bananation rating:
Gay friendly agenda: $$$


Watch Enrique's performance at Club G.A.Y, London