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

[deafelis.livejournal.com]

Coming back to read comments later...

I did not know that Martina Navatrilova was/is anything other than straight. Therefore, she is not in the running in my mind.

I don't know what Eddie Izzard is, nor whether he or Ellen would be more famous.

I really don't pay attention to famous peoples' social lives, so I can't give you a good answer, though Ellen being near the top doesn't surprise me a bit.

[deafelis.livejournal.com]

I looked it up. Eddie Izzard is a straight transvestite.

I had no idea any of the others mentioned here were/are anything other than straight.

I do agree with the questions about whether they meant "lesbian who is famous," or "famous as a lesbian."

Given all of that, my closing comment above still stands. I just don't pay enough attention to know or care. :)