Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige has a strong gay fan base and told The Advocate magazine in November 2007, "The majority of my fans are gay. The majority of them are, and I have to really make sure that they know I’m paying attention to the fact that they support me, and I support them."
Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons is for equal rights for all and has even had some gay rumors himself. Back in '07, Simmons said, "I'm not gay. If I was, I would have the gift of another burden, and I would probably be instantly out. I fight for gay rights all the time. How about that?"
Mo'Nique
Earlier this year the BET talk show host told Advocate.com, "Imagine that if in all of the Black churches they started saying, 'Let’s love each other unconditionally. Let’s not judge.' That’s it! You can have members be openly gay! Not 'Well, we think Troy is gay, but you know! Yes, he switches, but we’re not gonna say nothing!'"
Eve
When asked if the rapper was comfortable with her gay following she said, "First of all, the gays, when they love you, they love you. They are very loyal. I have a huge gay men fan base - I love them."
Kanye West
In '05, Kanye West caused a stir when he said, "Everyone in hip-hop discriminates against gay people. Not just hip-hop, but America just discriminates. And I wanna just, to come on TV and just tell my rappers, just tell my friends, 'Yo, stop it.'"
Vanessa Williams
The former Miss America has been a supporter of the gay community from the start of her career. In June '09 she said to Advocate.com, "Every day there is another obstacle that people are confronting -- now is the time to have open dialogue. If it's not gay marriage, if it's not gays in the military, there is always something in the forefront and I think that's fantastic. Dialogue with education is how you get power."
Beyonce Knowles
Back in '03, Bey was under criticism that she made a homophobic comment after the Britney Spears and Madonna kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards. Bey quickly made a statement, ''I have never judged anyone based on his or her sexual orientation and have no intention of starting now. I have a lot of gay and lesbian fans and I love them no differently than my straight fans.''
Isaiah Washington
Isaiah Washington was labeled as homophobic after a drawn out drama on the set of "Grey's Anatomy." Washington told Larry King in '07, "I am not homophobic, no, way, shape or form. I auditioned in full wig and dress to be a part of a film here in New York called 'Stonewall.' A friend of mine picked me up in a car and I was chased by some men -- because they actually thought I was a woman -- all the way back to Brooklyn."
Janet Jackson
Janet is what you call a "gay icon." In 2008, she said, "I’ve always loved the gay community, and I think they know that. I’m always involved in projects concerning AIDS, and I’ve just always tried to make myself available. We all have a job in this world, and I think that my job that God has given me is to help people."
Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle has love for everyone and said in '07 to Advocate.com, "I'm very honest with gay people. I’m very honest with calling you out and saying come up to the front of the stage and let the audience know that you're gay. You’re breathing and you're just like them. The only thing that you have is a different sexual orientation."
Brandy
In 2008, Brandy talked the loyalty of her gay fan base, "I think my gay fans are very, very loyal, and I really respect them for that. They stick with you through it all. If you are going through an uptime or a downtime, they’re there."
Eminem
Once upon a time Eminem was famously homophobic. However, recently he said about gay marriage, "I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want. It’s the new tolerant me!"
Jennifer Holliday
Tony Award winner and original singer of "And I Am Telling You" said, "If it were not for the gay and lesbian community, I would really not have half the career I've had. Throughout the lows in my career, this community remained loyal, remained faithful, didn't care whether I had a hit record or not. This community supported me, this community fed me and paid my mortgage by letting me sing in the clubs at three, four o' clock in the morning."
Jennifer Hudson
In '08, the Oscar winner said to Advocate.com, "To have the gay community as a following and to be accepted -- that's how I really started performing, singing and coming into my own because the gay community embraced me first. That's how I got my feet wet so I don't take it lightly at all."
Tyson Beckford
In March '09, the supermodel talked to BET.com about rumors that he is gay: "It's just one hater that put that on me. But, don't get me wrong, I work with GLAAD, I work with Gay Men's Health Crisis—I work with all of that ... I love my gay brothers and sisters."
Jennifer Lopez
J-Lo recently spoke with The Advocate on how she would react if one of her children were gay, "I wouldn’t be shocked or anything. Marc even once asked me, 'What if one of the babies is gay?' I said, 'Who cares?' And he was like, 'Yeah, I know. Who cares?' You just love your kids and want them to be happy, because it’s really about love. That’s what this is all about — I sing about it, I do movies about it, and that’s how I live my life."
Tyra Banks
In Tyra's 2009 speech at the GLAAD Media Awards, the supermodel said, "I embrace you in front of millions to show how beautiful you are, how absolutely amazing you are, how giving you are. And I will continue to do that as long as I have a platform. I will continue to get the message out about gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.”
Fat Joe
When Ricky Martin came out earlier this year, Fat Joe told VIBE.com, "It’s all about being comfortable with who you are and if you gay, fine, be gay. I’m not gay but fine, you do what you do. I’ll do what I do. I think it’s 2010 and everybody should be allowed to live happy and live their lives and whatever makes you happy, then so be it."
Mariah Carey
MC talked her relationship with the gay community in 2005: "I basically was raised by two gay men, Ernie and Mort, who were best friends. When we didn't have a place to stay, we stayed with them. So I feel like God recognizes us all as human beings and loves us as we are."
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj identifies as bisexual. She once said, "I think the world is getting more gay-friendly, so hip-hop is too. But it’s harder to imagine an openly gay male rapper being embraced. People view gay men as having no street credibility. But I think we’ll see one in my lifetime."
Pres. Obama and Pres. Clinton
In June 2000, President Bill Clinton declared June "Gay & Lesbian Pride Month." In addition, being more inclusive, President Barack Obama declared June 2010 to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, stating, “I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.”
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