Celesbian

The term celesbian (a portmanteau of celebrity and lesbian), originally referred to a female celebrity known or reputed to be a lesbian and popular within the LGBT community.[1] Celesbianism as a Western media phenomenon came into vogue in 2008, when several female celebrities presented themselves as lesbians. The term was first used by New Yorkers Pam Franco and Susan Levine, a disk jockey. It was used in a full-page ad in a lesbian nightlife magazine, GO MAGAZINE. The ad was for the Mz Hip and Fit NY contest, the idea of Denise Cohen of Denco Designs & Events. The contest was a search for the hottest lesbian in the United States. The term celesbian was used for the celebrity lesbian judges.[2]

In contemporary mass media, the term has come to mean a female celebrity who claims to be a lesbian, either explicitly or implicitly — often to get publicity.[1] She may or may not really be homosexual.[1] A term similar to the second sense of celesbian is fauxmosexual, combining faux (false) and homosexual, in which case the celebrity may be either male or female. Some LGBT activists have objected to the fauxmosexuality phenomenon, saying it trivializes real homosexuals, both in presenting homosexuality as an "outrageous" novelty, and in glossing over the serious issues faced by young people struggling to come to terms with their homosexuality.[3] It is also seen as isolating and stereotypical by "ruining what we are trying to accomplish in showing the world that we are normal human beings like everybody else" by others.[1]

Conversely, the celesbian who is open about her sexuality may present herself as a more socially safe representation of lesbianism.[4] She who is authentically homosexual can be a great role model for those potentially looking to come out.[4] Contemporary musical artists Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks have both publicly expressed their sexually love of women.[4] By involving their lesbian sexuality to popular culture, they are doing work to normalize it.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Elyafi, Mona (3 January 2012). "Why the Word 'Celesbian' Reinforces Stereotypes". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 28 February 2015. Using such a word as "celesbian" to refer to openly out female celebrities within our community is not only isolating but nothing short of acting the stereotype. How, then, do we show the world that we can walk straight, live a normal life, run successful businesses, raise families, play sports, and, yes, play popular acting roles on TV, online, and in films? We're veering off track by alienating ourselves, and it's essentially ruining what we are trying to accomplish in showing the world that we are normal human beings like everybody else.
  2. ↑ For example, see a list of celesbian-related articles on Perez Hilton's website:
  3. ↑ The dangers of fauxmosexuality Tim Duggan, The Sydney Morning Herald, October 10, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2008
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Gay women need more celesbians". The Guardian. 2013-11-25. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
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