Who is the "most famous Lesbian in the world?"

[liamstliam]

The New York Times has an excellent analysis on where same-sex marriage stands, based on the appearance of Ellen DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi, on Oprah.

I would have recommended it anyway, but I did have a little furrowing of the forehead when Ms. de Rossi was quoted as saying Ellen was "the most famous lebian in the world."

Here's the context:

A decade ago, she had trouble getting work, a development that she and many observers chalked up to her being “the most famous lesbian in the world,” as Ms. de Rossi described her on “Oprah.”

But now she’s on the cover of the current issue of O magazine, exclusive real estate usually inhabited by Ms. Winfrey alone. She’s a pitchwoman not only for American Express but also for Cover Girl makeup, a heartland product if ever there was one.

Now, observations aside, who do you think is the most famous Lesbian in the world.

(I think we can do this without getting too tied up in "Well, she's really bisexual," for whatever value of "she" we mean.)

Anyway, my immediate thought, being a man of a certain age, was Martina Navatrilova, the great tennis player.

Is it an age thing?

A "general public vs. those of us who know a lot of Lesbian/Bi folks" question?

Where does your mind go on this one?

Comments

[peregrinning.livejournal.com]

I think there's a difference between:
- "Famous for being a lesbian" (which in my mind Ellen DeGeneres wins for the general populace of the U.S.)

- "Famous in lesbian circles" (various bloggers, cartoonists, etc. come to mind, and I'm embarrassed I can't pull up their names at this time)

- "Famous and also a lesbian" (where other far more famous people would win out, if I knew or cared to tag them as lesbian).

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

You said what I meant to say: with more cunning. :-)

[derekl1963.livejournal.com]

What he said - here and just below.

[joaniechachi]

This again.

I didn't know Martina was lesbian, although I know who she is, and I think I tend toward the young end of the readership here.