The author makes a big mistake in using the word "gays" throughout the article. This is a HUGE and absurd generalization. Also, is she trying to refer to gay men and lesbians, or just gay men? Can't tell. She describes a phenomenon that has been more a part of the gay male community than of the lesbian community, though that shouldn't be taken to mean that it applies to all gay men. And it doesn't mean that there aren't lesbians who are part of the phenomenon. Read on and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

The author, or perhaps her assistants from the academic world, came up with a lovely and righteous theory, but WHAT was it based on? Surely if any of them had ever spent time watching and/or knowing drag queens, or even knowing gay men or lesbians who enjoyed the drag world, they'd know the real reason Tammy Faye became a figure (icon? not so sure about that) in the gay community. Yes, she was supportive of AIDS work and even appeared at a community event in my town. But BEFORE that, Tammy Faye made an impression because she LOOKS LIKE A DRAG QUEEN! The celebrities who become talked about among those who enjoy the campy, drag queen sphere win that adoration for that reason. Drag queens don't look like the average women. They embrace a stereotyped, hyped-up-to-the-max appearance of a a woman. Think Tammy Faye and Dolly Parton. Billie Holiday? Not so much.

Doesn't the fact that all of these so-called icons are women clue you in to the flaw in the theory? Could the author (or anyone else) really think that "gays" would only make "icons" out of women who have struggled and persevered, and not also men??

Personaly I believe Tammy Faye caught on to the message God has given us over and over.

See inside the person, see the heart, that is where a person shows what they are about.

Don't judge on the exterior. The blind man/woman is a smarter one. They must see the deepness, feel the changes, know when someone is true.

Close your eyes and open your heart with love and forgiveness for all. Know God will handle the rest.

As far as the makeup and eyelashes, I too ponder why so much, my sister has a routine too, but I seldom will use makeup. I am who I am, nothing more. I can offer so much if you take time to search me out.

Tammy will be missed.

Obviously the writers were extremely unclued in gay culture - dollars to donuts they are all hets - perhaps with a closeted among them going, "yep, yep, you're right on that one", and secretly laughing.

Of course I agree with everyone here, the myriad posters who point out gays were probably most attracted to her hyper-femininity - if she didn't look like a drag queen no one did. : )

I hope she had a gentle death, but can't help still being angry at her and her spouse for what they did to their vulnerable and naive followers, hustling them for money and manipulating them with their intimated closeness to God - this is nauseating to me. The damage these evangelicals are doing to organized religions and the body politic in the USA is heinous and incalculable.