Stevie Nicks...The "Gay" Connection

[Steve]

According to a magazine article I read, Stevie Nicks has a really large gay following...is that true? :wavey:

[Johnny Stew]

I know a large number of Stevie fans, and now that you mention it, it seems that quite a few of us *are* cheerful, lighthearted people.
So I guess that article you read was right... Stevie *does* have a large gay following! :D


On a side-note, does anyone else think that "gay" is one of the queerest of all adjectives? Such an odd little word, isn't it!



Johnny Stew

[estranged4life]

she does...I remember a few of my friends on the net said that when I went to see her in concert in Dallas that there would be a large gay/lesbian following at the show and they asked would that bother me...No, It didnt bothered me at all (I'm not a homophobic person...), But the one thing noone told me was that I would see some of the most beautiful women at the show that night...No wonder my eyes were hurting for days afterwards...Hehehehe, Brian J.

[RavenOfRhiannon]

Every Stevie fan I know personally is gay, including me.

What's weird is we are all Wonder Woman fans, too.

Randy

[Johnny Stew]

You know, Randy... now that's an interesting topic!... what on Earth is the connection between Stevie Nicks & Wonder Woman?!?

Maybe it's the twirling around thing? :laugh:

Plus, Stevie's been known to wear a tiara too!
http://www.nicksfix.com/nicksfix126.jpg


Johnny Stew

[Phil]

Strangely enough, I don't actually personally know any Stevie fans who aren't gay. I realise that this is not necessarily the case amongst fans within this forum but as far as my friends and acquaintances ago, they're all queer. That said, I am aware that there are still a lot of guys out there who would like to crown her!

[BombaySapphire3]

I think this phenomenon happens with any strong female with genuine Star power .Stevie has always had gay fans but the longer she has been around the higher the percentage gets.Gay men in particular are known for a great loyalty to aging female stars.

[jwys_soapbox]

Well, I was a Stevie fan before I even realized/accepted that I was gay. So which came first? My liking Stevie because I'm gay or my being gay because I like Stevie? Hmmm...

Just kidding, actually, I began to like Stevie's stuff more by an extension of my liking of Lindsey. And truly I was never really attracted to Lindsey as a sex symbol, I just like the sound of his music.

John

PS: One of the reasons that Stevie is popular is probably the diva factor. She's been through hell and she survived! God knows I've heard that story from alot of the boys. Everytime I hear her sing that part of Planets of the Universe that begins "Take leave, take your leave, take your leave of me now. Disappear into the air, I wish you gone and I don't care (etc)" my diva-tuned gaydar starts recieveing signals. She's telling my ex (Tony the jerk) off for me!:laugh:

[SmthngOfADreamr]

Originally posted by jwys_soapbox
Well, I was a Stevie fan before I even realized/accepted that I was gay. So which came first? My liking Stevie because I'm gay or my being gay because I like Stevie?

Actually the very same is true for me, and I was going to bring that up. I didn't happen to start liking Stevie because she is a "diva" or becuase she wears poofy dresses and tiaras and prances around the forest like a fairy/gypsy. And I didn't start liking her becuase she is a strong woman/survivor/aging female star or, for any other insultingly stereotypical reason. And in fact I still don't like her for those reasons (though I don't hold any of it against her either, of course.) I started to like Stevie becuase of her music and her voice and that's what keeps me around, not any of the other rubbish, even though I am gay.

[RavenOfRhiannon]

Funny Story:

I, too was a Stevie fan long before I realized my sexuality. You would have thought my parents would have had a clue:

For my parents anniversary one year, my mom decided to teach my sister and I to sing "Leather and Lace" for my dad. It was to be soooo cute. But I had to screw everything up by insisting that I sing Stevie's part!!!!

(I honestly think I sang wrapped in a table cloth...)

Brian: I do think the twirling has something to do with it!!!

Polishing my tiara...

Randy

[kristin]

Originally posted by jwys_soapbox

Everytime I hear her sing that part of Planets of the Universe that begins "Take leave, take your leave, take your leave of me now. Disappear into the air, I wish you gone and I don't care (etc)" my diva-tuned gaydar starts recieveing signals. She's telling my ex (Tony the jerk) off for me!:laugh:


GOD.....I love that part of the song, it is so kick ass.....it SO is the PERFECT revenge/F-off line that I know I would sometimes like to send to my ex...thank god for the diva/drama queen in Stevie :)

Kristin

[sodascouts]

I knew Stevie had a huge gay following, but I didn't realize she appealed to lesbians, too. Maybe they just aren't as vocal about their adoration. ;)

[sara1998]

I never realized she had such a large gay following. I also never realized that we had so many gay men on this board!:D I knew a couple of you were. I think it's awesome, because I love being around gay men.... just like one of your girlfriends, ya know? And, yes, Johnny Stew, gay men have to be the most light-hearted, cheerful people I've ever had the pleasure of being in contact with!! Unfortunately, I lost contact with a good friend of mine, and I miss him so much...

Anyhow, her gay following just goes to show that Stevie is an equal-opportunity diva!!;)

Maria

[FiercestCalmSea]

I don't think i realized it right off the bat..but after a while it was obvious that she does have a very large gay following..which i think is cool..I'm straight..but gay guys are such fun to hang with..they are the best...(no offense to you guys who aren't gay,lol)...as for lesbians..i have seen some at concerts..but not as many as the guys...but at any rate..it's cool :)

[estranged4life]

Originally posted by FiercestCalmSea
(no offense to you guys who aren't gay,lol)...as for lesbians..i have seen some at concerts..but not as many as the guys...but at any rate..it's cool :)

No offense taken here...lol, Brian J.

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally posted by sodascouts
I knew Stevie had a huge gay following, but I didn't realize she appealed to lesbians, too. Maybe they just aren't as vocal about their adoration. ;)

I think she also has a large lesbian following...the first person I ever knew that was obsessed w/Stevie was a lesbian...then I met some of her friends...they were ALL HUGE Steve fans...and at her show in Albuquerque there seemed to be a lot of lesbians there...of course I'm generalizing and saying they were lesbian based on appearance...so I could be totally off...but many of my lesbian friends were there...so yeah...I think there's definite appeal to lesbians as well...

[jwys_soapbox]

QUOTE:
And I didn't start liking her becuase she is a strong woman/survivor/aging female star or, for any other insultingly stereotypical reason.
-------------
I see no insult in liking artists because they have characteristics to which I can relate. Besides, if she didn't write and perform great music, any characteristics that I could relate to would be much less important

John

[SmthngOfADreamr]

Originally posted by jwys_soapbox
QUOTE:

I see no insult in liking artists because they have characteristics to which I can relate. Besides, if she didn't write and perform great music, any characteristics that I could relate to would be much less important

John

DUH! That's why people of all kinds adore Stevie - usually because they relate to her through her music and especially through her lyrics - which is exactly what I was saying.

[Joseph Corkill]

Remember that HX Mag. in NYC interviewed her a couple of years ago; she was on the cover, and she was called a "Gay Icon." That pretty much says it all. She has a huge gay following, and she loves the attention.

Joseph

[Johnny Stew]

My first answer was rather flippant, because I thought, "oh no, here we go again." We've had this conversation numerous times before. In fact, we even had a thread with a title almost identical to this one, when 'Trouble In Shangri-La' was released.
Though, I'll grant you that it hasn't come up in a while.

Anyway, this looks like it's actually turning into a thought-provoking thread.

To me, the sexual orientation of an artist's core fan-base, shouldn't matter. I've never been fond of being singled out, or of singling someone else out, for their gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, etc.
I like to see people as individuals, not... as Lindsey might say... a simple set of labels.

Being gay is what I am, but it's not WHO I am.
In fact, spend a day with me, and you might not even pick up on my sexual orientation. I'm not an "in your face" kind of person, though I am proud of who I am... NOW.

Much like John, I was a major Stevie fan long before I ever figured out, and then accepted, that I was gay.

Those who think homosexuality is a "choice," couldn't be more wrong. I was interested in other guys as far back as I can remember.
It wasnt a sexual attraction, per se... I didn't even know what SEX was at that age. All I knew, was that maleness interested me. I liked the way guys walked, talked, behaved, laughed, horsed-around... everything.
I don't think a 6 year old, who had absolutely no interactions with homosexuals... who had no idea what homosexuality is... and didn't even yet know the mechanics of sexuality and love, could possibly CHOOSE a "homosexual lifestyle."
I no more chose to be gay, than I did to have brown hair, hazel eyes, and my father's nose.

Late in 1985, when I was 13, I heard "Talk To Me" on the radio. I really dug the song, but more than that, I was blown away by the voice of the woman singing. I had no idea what she looked like, how she dressed, or any of that other stuff... I just knew she had one of the coolest voices ever.
I was given 'Rock A Little' for Christmas, and I wore the tape out.
Again, I had no idea about the "mystique" surrounding Stevie... I was just head over heels for these songs.
The voice drew me in initially, but it was her songwriting that really peaked my interest.

My aunt let me know that Stevie had other albums, and had been in a band called Fleetwood Mac, and I set out to find as many other recordings as I could.
When I went back and listened to them, I actually REMEMBERED so many of the songs, it was unbelieveable.
And... more than that... I had memories attached to them!

I actually remembered watching HBO religiously to see a glimpse of the "Gypsy" video (around 1982, HBO would sometimes play a few music videos as filler between movies).
I also remembered swinging on the swingset in our backyard, when I was about 11, and singing "Leather & Lace" to myself.

Something about Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac had already sparked an interest deep in my pre-adolescent psyche.
And it was all based on the music.

Thru my teens years, and even into my early 20s, I struggled with being different from everyone else.
My peers seemed to figure out around 5th grade, that I wasn't "like other boys."
I never really did anything to give anyone that idea, but I suppose I fit into some of those dreaded stereotypes. I was shy, quiet, bookish, artistic, woefully un-athletic, and the majority of my friends were female.
Also, unlike the other boys who were into heavy metal hair bands, I was listening to some frilly chick-singer, in a lacy dresses.

I eventually bought into the way I was being treated (punched, threatened, verbally harrassed, spit on, etc.), and I learned to hate myself for not being "normal" like everyone else.

I never connected my homosexuality with being a Stevie fan.
The latter was something I was more than happy to admit to being, while the former was something I didn't even dare admit to myself.

Thankfully though, I had Stevie's music to help keep me sane.
I certainly didn't have the luxury of living in a dream-world, but at least I was able to escape into Stevie's "world" whenever possible.
And I still say that if it wasn't for "Battle Of The Dragon," I might not be here today.

The first time I ever realized there might be a "gay connection" to Stevie, was when a female friend of mine called me up one night, after she had been to a gay club for the first time.
She told me, "you would have loved it there"... which instantly put me on the defense.
"Why on Earth would I have loved it there???"
In a slightly bewildered voice, she said, "because those gay guys there all love Stevie Nicks as much as you do, that's all."

The notion of gay men loving Stevie's music as much as I did, really fascinated me.

Eventually that notion helped me to feel a little less alone. It was kind of comforting to know that I might not be the only person going thru all of this crap.

Even still, it took several more years before I was able to completely accept my sexual orientation.
(Some older Ledgies may even remember that I was one of Stevie's fans who would put himself in the straight category, whenever this topic would come up on the original boards.)

You know, if i had been given a choice of being straight or gay, a few years ago I would have chosen straight... but now, I'm actually pretty happy with my sexual orienation.
Sure, it makes life a lot tougher, and you're vulnerable to other people's hang-ups, and prejudices.
But hey, we're all a product of our experiences... for better or worse... and if you can find a way to rise above it, then you're not doing too badly. :)

For me, Stevie's music helped me do that.

So... in my extremely long-winded way (the No-Doze is on me, folks!), I'm just saying that... in my case at least, there's no way to answer "which came first."
I just know that I wasn't initially attracted to Stevie's music, because of my sexual orientation. But her music definitely helped me open my mind to accepting myself for who I am, and to get thru some pretty difficult years.

Thanks, Stevie.



Johnny Stew

[Hawkeye]

OMG, i never knew so many stevie fans were gay. I'm quite shocked. All the stevie fans i know are straight. I always knew there were a few gays on this board, but i never knew it was 80 percent of the board.

[kristin]

I have a good mix of gay and straight Stevie friends. Although I think I definitely know of more gay men than women. I think it is great! Whatever floats your boat, ya know?

Kristin

[jwys_soapbox]

Well said, Johnny Stew! I can relate to a lot of the things you said. I'm sure many can. You know, a few years ago I heard or read a line something like "I finally gave myself permission to be gay." That was one of the most profound sentences I ever come across because it all comes down to that, I think. Coming from a very red-neck environment (in other words, homophobic) I denied every sign that I was gay (including a few kisses and gropes, etc. and never even dating a woman--or having any real desire to) until I was about 28. I lied about my sex life, went along with other guy's comments about women's looks etc--all the time feeling so strange because none of it came naturally to me. Anyway, denial is such a fascinating thing, it can make you believe all kinds of things in spite of mountains of evidence that suggests something else. I actually believed it was some normal phase I would grow out of. When I finally saw the forest for the trees, so to speak, it then became an issue of allowing myself to be who I had been all along--to not feel the need to be seen as straight by others. It took almost two years (and an afternoon of listening to one of my friend's comments about women we saw at the San Diego Comic Convention and resenting that I couldn't express my appreciation for some of the guys I saw) before I finally came out to my friends. To my surprise they were totally cool about it. I feel closer to them now because I feel like they know me better. I no longer have to be gaurded in the things I say and the directions I look when we're out somewhere. Anyway, this is getting long and, I'm sure, boring (plus way off topic, I suppose). Suffice it to say that I have found coming out to be very liberating and it all came down to my telling myself that it is ok to be the way I am.

John

PS: The above is by no means my entire story, just a very quick run-down containing many things that on second thought I might reword and elaborate on if I had time. Instead, I'll just leave it at that and trust that you'll know there's more to the story that I've written above.:)

[RavenOfRhiannon]

Bravo, Brian...

Another reminder why you are such a great man...

Randy

[Steve]

Well, you all have answered my question. That's cool that Stevie has such a diverse group of fans.:D

[Sarah]

Originally posted by Hawkeye
I always knew there were a few gays on this board, but i never knew it was 80 percent of the board.




i think 80 percent of the world is gay & just doesn't know it.


I think it's really cool how a bunch of different people can identify with what stevie says.. it's interesting how different people interpret lyrics differently.



Sarah

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by jwys_soapbox
You know, a few years ago I heard or read a line something like "I finally gave myself permission to be gay." That was one of the most profound sentences I ever come across.John... I can definitely relate to that statement.
Thankfully, there *are* gay men in this world who realize they're gay, and are ok with it, at a very young age.
Unfortunately though, there are even more who face a very long road towards accepting themselves... and, sadly, there are some who never do.

It's amazing how many of us have had such similar experiences with the whole process (I was about 27 years old when I realized I finally had to face facts, that this was not just "a phase" like I had hoped).
No matter what age, or where you live, it just seems that some things are necessary rights of passage.


Randy... thank you for the kind words. Now where's that blushing emoticon when you need it?! :)


Sarah... I don't know about 80%, but I definitely think there are more gay men and lesbians than people realize.
That old statistic that only 10% of the population is gay, seems very conservative... but don't tell that to Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson!!
:laugh:



Johnny Stew

[estranged4life]

to ask Jerry Falwell is what it was like having Larry "Smut peddler" Flynt beat you in court...lol...And I would like to see Pat Robertson's head get bolted to his neck because he seems like a giant living "Bobble Head" doll to me, Hehehehe...Brian J.

ps-Dont even get me started on Oral" I saw a 700 hundred foot Jesus in Tulsa,OK...So send me YOUR MONEY NOW!!!!" Roberts...Hey Oral, Take your medicine huh...lol!!!!

[iamstevienicks]

Whoah didnt realise there were so many other gay guys here, so which of the guys here are straight then? ;)

[Sarah]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
Sarah... I don't know about 80%, but I definitely think there are more gay men and lesbians than people realize.
That old statistic that only 10% of the population is gay, seems very conservative... but don't tell that to Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson!! :laugh: Johnny Stew



Definitely. For some reason, right now among younger people.. it's kind of in-style for girls to be bisexual. At least from the people that I know. I have NO idea why.. maybe it's a Madonna-Started-It thing. I just know that the majority of my girl friends are. There comes that 80% again. lol. I have a friend who says.. "you are & just don't know it yet." I think that's probably true for a WHOLE lot of people out there.


Sarah

[golddustwoman77]

Well, I'm with Johnny Stew. I don't really see why it matters! If you are straight, gay, bisexual, as long as you are listening to and appreciating Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks's music. I just want to live in a world where you are just someone who loves Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks, not a "gay follower" of Stevie Nicks. Are we going to start labeling everyone now..."gay follower, straight follower, bisexual follower?" This thread is a typical product of our society. The media wants to lump people who are "individualistic" or different than the main stream into groups which flows over into our culture. This just infuriates me! :mad: It is not like everyone who is gay loves Stevie Nicks or some other beautiful or handsome (as the case could be) icon. I have three, lesbian friends and none of them follow Stevie Nicks that closely. They don't hate her, but she isn't their favorite. They know more about her and Fleetwood Mac because of me. I mean.... You like Stevie Nicks, because you like and appreciate her music, not because you are gay. I'm straight, and no one is lumping me into a group called "straight followers" of Stevie Nicks and talking about it on a message board. We are all in this one, big group together.....followers of Stevie Nicks! Period! :nod:


:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:

[ERigby818]

I think the reason Stevie may appeal to so many people, a huge mix of men and women, gay and straight (I do suspect more of her fans are straight women though I have nothing to support that idea), is because so many elements of her voice, style and words are romantically and sexually charged in ways that appeal to all of those fans (without blatantly talking about sex or dancing around wearing almost nothing). So much of her work is about romance and relationships, something all of those crowds are fascinated with (as opposed to like death metal or angry hip hop that doesn't appeal to as broad a base in terms of what people can relate to).
The sexiness Stevie has and alludes to is...
- Her own beauty and sensuality, all of that romantic femininity plus the most sexy female voice in the world...the stuff that makes straight men (and probably lesbian women) drool and all women admire her.
- Her power and diva-ish fearlessness and strength....something that, coupled with the mystical femininity appeals to gay and straight men and women because she is, as I think Courtney love put it, "lovely, but strong". The way she is so sexy in a strong, almost masculine way at the same time I think makes the whole gay and straight crowd go wild for her, and generates even more admiration.
- Her lyrics describe so many things that make both men and women beautiful, sexy and charming. She talks about so many men and women in both fantasy and reality, so no matter who you're attracted to you can relate.
I love the diversity of Stevie fans, because I like to know that her style and words can be interpreted so differently in so many people's lives...that's how powerful they are.
-Sonia

[Bella Figura]

I am totally in the category of "who cares?? life's tooo short not to just be" but just an interesting note from me since we're also talking personal histories here...

when I was in HS, I had several close male friends. They all "came out" during my college years and I was totally accepting when I was told...it kinda grapevined thru our group.
However, I really had no clue in HS at all that any one of these guys were gay.

but none of these guys were ever "Stevie fans".

and my hubby who is straight :laugh:, liked the MAC and loved Stevie's look in HS (Tusk/Bella Donna era).

[celestenadia]

My boyfriend's brother is gay and is a Stevie fan. I feel that part of Stevie's broad appeal
is her certain level of androgeny. I mean heck, she goes by STEVIE, a traditional man's
name. Also she is petite and dresses "frilly", yet she has a low voice and exudes quite
a bit of "toughness" on stage. I feel that these qualities contribute to her mass appeal to
both women and men regardless of sexual orientation. The mix of masculine and feminine
in rock legends is quite common. Elvis and Janis are two examples that quickly come
to my mind...:nod:
love,
celestenadia

[The Tower]

When I was three years old I was requested to be the ring bearer at a heterosexual wedding. I looked up at the groom and fell in love with men.... OH, HOW TABOO!!!!

Stevie was always a part of my life.... Especially, "Crystal" in the early years. When was six years old my four older brothers introduced me to Fleetwood Mac...

I have been a fan ever since...

[SeventhWonder]

Wow...haven't been here in a long time! Hi all! (if anyone remembers me...:wavey: )

Anyway...

As a straight guy, I often get a reaction of "you like stevie nicks?! I couldn't imagine you liking her...blah blah blah." I never really realized it before, but judging from what I've read in the previous posts, I guess Stevie does have a large gay following....and I say great. I'm glad that people can find that connection with her music, presence, lyrics, and most of all voice. That is what really draws me to Stevie, she just has the most amazing voice I think I've ever heard. She may not be able to belt it out like Aretha or whatever, but there's just something about her....Anyway back to the point. I think it's unfortunate when people label you based on what kind of music you listen to. I don't like labels in general anyway, but I think it just shows a lot of ignorance when someone tells you that "you must be gay" cause you like Stevie Nicks. blah.

[Jen77]

:wavey:

I also say "who cares?!" As long as you are happy with yourself, that's all that matters:D But I do think that it's cool that Stevie's music reaches out to all different kinds of people:nod:

Jen:angel:

[BombaySapphire3]

I must say I am glad to see almost everyone is tolerant and open minded as one would expect Stevie's fans to be.Unlike some of the previous times this topic was brought up and homo-phobia reared it's ugly head,most strongly emanating from a New Jersey basement.

[ERigby818]

Originally posted by BombaySapphire3
I must say I am glad to see almost everyone is tolerant and open minded as one would expect Stevie's fans to be.


Me too.

Unlike some of the previous times this topic was brought up and homo-phobia reared it's ugly head,most strongly emanating from a New Jersey basement.

LOL. I just visualized like these green smelly fumes eminating from one of those little basement windows.

-Sonia

[BombaySapphire3]

"LOL. I just visualized like these green smelly fumes eminating from one of those little basement windows." and considering what some of us know to be lurking down there those fumes would be noxious indeed!

[PenguinHead]

This thread reminded me of a Stevie incident that was reported in the national news several years ago. Apparently Stevie had a crazed stalker after her. He claimed to have knowledge that Stevie was a witch, and that she was the only one who had the power to change his sexuality from gay to straight! lol!! Does anyone remember this? It was bizzare, and hilarious!

[Villavic]

Here in Peru I think Stevie is not so connected to the gays. They are far more identified with CHER or some latin divas. And the not so youngers are identified with Donna Summer or Madonna.

I think generally they are more related to the dancing music, at least here in Peru