Who’s the Ultimate Gay Icon? Our Eurovision-Style Street Poll Gets Wild!

Hello my little ones, hello to you all! We wandered around the Printemps des assoces in Paris, a truly colorful event where dozen of LGBT associations meet up. And we asked a very simple question: what song, what artist gives you that little shiver of pride, that thing that makes you invincible as an LGBT person? Frankly, we didn't expect so many touching, funny answers, and some very personal ones.

We had some confidences, laughter, memories, personal pictures and a a little twist: just like at Eurovision, points were given to the artists. Who will make it to the podium? Surprise! Make yourself comfortable, it's loaded with vibes, life and honesty! Queue report ! I am what I am. I love this song!

I think it's a empowering song, a powerful one. I'm fairly young, but it doesn't really go out of style. So... and the message in the song is never less than powerful. It's more of a song for rallies, Prides, events. I think it's more in these moments, in these community events, when you're feeling the power. It's also things that are inherited from the past. And so I think this song fits right in

with those moments. So, it's also a way of thinking about the entire story that we have and everything we're going to build tomorrow.

I'm alive by Céline Dion. She may not be an LGBT ambassador, but I like her. When I sing her songs, it gives me a kick. There you go!

Not a very original answer, but I'd say Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. She's totally a gay icon, Lady Gaga! She's taken a stand for the LGBT community very early in her career. She sang Born This Way. She's totally a gay icon. Besides, you only have to look at who was interested in going to her concerts to know that she's a gay icon. Well, she's an icon who's loved by the gay community

and it's an icon that, whenever possible, takes a stand for the gay community. And she ticks all the boxes, Lady Gaga! I play it on my headphones, I play it on my computer, I play it on speakers, I play it everywhere. In fact, just recently, I played it to some friends in my research lab. We watched the music video again a rather impressive one, which was produced by the director of if I'm not mistaken, The Hunger Games

his name is Francis Lawrence. And there's a plot twist in this music video. Personally, I really like the aesthetic and... and the story it tells, so I love everything about this music.

The song I listen to regularly to motivate myself well, to get back in shape and help me face life, let's say, it's... it's super cliché for a gay man, of course, but it's “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked. Back when I was still subscribed, I listened to it, I can't remember... 600 times a year, So, that's a lot!

Exactly, the song, is about someone who would like to get away, break free from the shackles and be able to fly with their own wings. In general, all songs from musicals have that kind of effect on me, but here, it's true that there's something extra, a kind of uplifting effect where the song pushes us, lift us up into the air and challenge life's obstacles. So that, that, really reflects what I'm trying to overcome...

through a song!

So for me, what inspires me a lot, is the song by Clara Luciani, La grenade. Because it's a song clearly about feminism, which celebrates women and the struggles they face every day in the shadows. Becausetoo often it is not acknowledged. When in fact we have tremendous strength that deserves to be recognized and shouted from the rooftops.

She expresses it well in this song because we have it in us, and it's ready to burst at any moment, in the sense that all it takes is for us to face something a difficult situation, and then, you're going to witness the grenade!

Born this way, yes, I believe it's from Lady Gaga, this song, is one of the most important songs for me as a queer person. It makes me feel proud because it's a song that came out when I was a teenager I was finishing high school, and it was a time, obviously, like for many people, you know, where I was asking myself a lot of questions

and that's when I really felt understood. And even though today, as a drag person, I find it very, very hard to perform on Lady Gaga sounds, because I actually have a lot of respect, for this person, as an artist. It's always a song that I like to listen to and to hear in concert, during gatherings, and carries me instinctively. I think music has a very important part to play

in the LGBT community, because partying is political. And when we get together to celebrate, to listen to music, to dance, right away, we're here and we're, well, we're feeling ourselves, we're proud together. And so, the music carries a very, truly beautiful message and that's the message of the union and pride! Ah? Humming the song? I'm not sure that's a good idea,

because right now, weather's extremely nice and I'd like not to make the sun go away!

For the moment, to find an idol that fits us exactly, is difficult in the Arab world, but then again, we have a singer named Haïfa. She's totally what we're looking for. We try to appropriate her songs, to get us to sing her songs and so Haifa for me, is a queer singer. She's like Lady Gaga to us! The loving, glamorous side and genuinely, for me, she's a truly,

interesting singer for our community. There!

Well, I'm not LGBT, so maybe I'm not the right person! Uh... I think I'll say Sheila's “Gross lip”. Uh, Sheila's “Gossip”! Sorry!

One of my favorite songs, is: "Tiny baby in my cradle, I was already beautiful. Since then, though, it's only gotten better. Women from all over the world, I'm the favorite. The little darling to her baby boyfriend"! I sang with... on the Paradis Latin stage with Caramels Fous (Crazy caramels), a long time ago. Well, for me, the song that motivates me and makes me feel good, especially right now, is the song :

“Respire encore” (Breath again), by Clara Luciani! Because, well, it feels good to breathe and believe in it so strongly! It can be fitted to all LGBT and non-LGBT people, it's a song that I think is universal, and means a lot of things and actually makes us feel good!

There's a song that inspires me in two ways, because I'm gay at the same time, and I'm also HIV positive and that helped me a lot, even if it's been taken over by the footballers, it's: “I will survive”, by Gloria Gaynor, because I found that, at one point in particular, screaming: “I Will Survive”, was, very powerful, and it was important!

It's a song we heard heard a lot in LGBT, gay clubs, back in the day, and it's a song that for me, is about my two battles, the one for equality, and then of course the one against HIV not to be forgotten!

So I've got a song that immediately comes to mind, it's a song by Sheila that I'm going to play for you right now! He's a spacer A star chaser A spacer...

A big thank you to all of you who answered our questions, and a special shout out, to the Caramels Fous troupe who really set the mood! So, you've seen it, the points were displayed in real-time, and at the end of the day, we have a strong leading quartet: Sheila, Gloria Gaynor, Clara Luciani and Lady Gaga. Four women! Do you find that surprising?

Do LGBT icons necessarily have to be females? And also, we've also got a few missing big names, we won't mention them here, but if it strikes a chord, it's time to do something. Just head for the Hot-Line, our internal social network to name those who have not yet been named. And we're not done yet! We're going to update this micro-trotoir

with your new answers, and a special video with the new winners will soon be online too and regularly reviewed and updated. But exclusively for HappyGayTV HappyGayTV club. So, if you're not subscribed yet, then now's the time to do so. It's fast, it's free, it's on HappyGayTV.com. And if you like this report, share it everywhere, In story, by message, by mail, using a carrier pigeon if you wish!

The most important thing is to spread the word. And don't forget, plenty of other micro-trottoirs are already available on the channel and the adventure doesn't stop! We'll see you soon for more new adventures on HappyGayTV. Ciao, my little ones! I love you! See you soon!