This is a re-post of an earlier piece as there are many new subscribers this past week. We’ll periodically re-run essays you may have missed and may find interesting. —Josh I have a thing for Madonna. Many gay men of my generation do. We came of age when she was making good on what she told Dick Clark on American Bandstand in 1984 when he asked her what she wanted from life: “To rule the world.”
Powerful. I'm one of your new subs so thanks for re-posting.
As a baby boomer, I was never drawn to Madonna's music. And I recall being truly repulsed by that book she published, that was all kink (leading a man around on a leash). By that time, in my own life I suffered frequent depressions from the painfully winding road that the sexual revolution had driven me to follow. So as a straight female, I find your article healing, inasmuch as it validates how I have always felt about "Madonna" - was that her real name? I was offended by that, too, even though I wasn't raised a Catholic. As I was also deeply offended by Richard Branson's "Virgin" airline with its graphic logo. I resented that nothing was sacred anymore.
Sorry to chime in so late, but I had a good friend named Madonna, back when I worked at a grocery store, back in the '90s. She only went by "Donna". Don't remember ethnicity. Her family was Jehovah's Witness, though.
I think it's wise to consider why so many Gen-X gay men were inspired by Madonna, and why gay men in general (of whatever generation) are attracted to the crass, the profane, and the lascivious. Is there something fundamentally broken about us? Various conservative voices, many of the ones I follow, would say so.
This piece hits me at a time when I am deeply contemplating my early life choices, now from the perspective of a gay man in his mid-fifties, having spent now half an adult life monogamously coupled to one man, outside of urban gay life and with a focus principally on mundane concerns such as career and home life. Gay male culture feels very alien to me, and yet I don't know how else to identify.
I think the reason is the strong correlation between gay men and having a mother with Borderline/Narcissistic personality disorder or traits, and an absent/violent father.
NOTE TO ALL READERS, NOT TO A SPECIFIC READER: You must supply your own "not alls". I recognize that there are exceptions. I am not making a universal claim.
Do not dun me for "but what about," and do not complain that I "generalize." I've told you plainly to supply your own not alls.
If you start this kind of complaining or carrying on your comments will be removed.
Jan 1, 2023·edited Jan 1, 2023Liked by Josh Slocum
To me, *Vogue* is the best MTV-era video. Perhaps the best video ever. Madonna clearly saw, and sought to project, the artistic prowess of black male dancers with a gay bent. Very nice essay, Josh.
Oh I'm glad you've given this piece another outing. I think it's my favourite bit of your writing.
You gave me the framework I needed to think about it; intra-sexual female competition.
Thank you.
You're most welcome, Josh.
Powerful. I'm one of your new subs so thanks for re-posting.
As a baby boomer, I was never drawn to Madonna's music. And I recall being truly repulsed by that book she published, that was all kink (leading a man around on a leash). By that time, in my own life I suffered frequent depressions from the painfully winding road that the sexual revolution had driven me to follow. So as a straight female, I find your article healing, inasmuch as it validates how I have always felt about "Madonna" - was that her real name? I was offended by that, too, even though I wasn't raised a Catholic. As I was also deeply offended by Richard Branson's "Virgin" airline with its graphic logo. I resented that nothing was sacred anymore.
Thank you.
Yes. "Madonna" is her given name.
Her mother, who died when the pop star was five, was also named "Madonna". Her mother's maiden name was Fortin. French-Canadian.
As you did say in your article; thanks! I'm still wondering if it's a common name for a girl in Italy. I don't think so, according to quick research.
I don't think it is either.
But I have run across at least two other non-famous Italian women with the name over the years. Only online.
... and I'd guess they're of the younger generation ie named so by their mothers who were Madonna fans... (?)
Sorry to chime in so late, but I had a good friend named Madonna, back when I worked at a grocery store, back in the '90s. She only went by "Donna". Don't remember ethnicity. Her family was Jehovah's Witness, though.
Interesting post, thank you.
I think it's wise to consider why so many Gen-X gay men were inspired by Madonna, and why gay men in general (of whatever generation) are attracted to the crass, the profane, and the lascivious. Is there something fundamentally broken about us? Various conservative voices, many of the ones I follow, would say so.
This piece hits me at a time when I am deeply contemplating my early life choices, now from the perspective of a gay man in his mid-fifties, having spent now half an adult life monogamously coupled to one man, outside of urban gay life and with a focus principally on mundane concerns such as career and home life. Gay male culture feels very alien to me, and yet I don't know how else to identify.
I think the answer to your questions is "yes."
I think the reason is the strong correlation between gay men and having a mother with Borderline/Narcissistic personality disorder or traits, and an absent/violent father.
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NOTE TO ALL READERS, NOT TO A SPECIFIC READER: You must supply your own "not alls". I recognize that there are exceptions. I am not making a universal claim.
Do not dun me for "but what about," and do not complain that I "generalize." I've told you plainly to supply your own not alls.
If you start this kind of complaining or carrying on your comments will be removed.
To me, *Vogue* is the best MTV-era video. Perhaps the best video ever. Madonna clearly saw, and sought to project, the artistic prowess of black male dancers with a gay bent. Very nice essay, Josh.