Mandela chosen as gay icon
2009-03-30 07:29
Anesca Smith
London - Former president Nelson Mandela has been chosen as a gay icon for an exhibition that opens in Britain in July.
His well-known face will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square, along with those of other famous figures who inspired the gay community, like Princess Diana and Virginia Woolf.
The National Portrait Gallery said the exhibition will give viewers a perspective on "gay history on a social and cultural level".
By the weekend Mandela's portrait had not yet been unveiled, and it was not known which photographer's work would to be used in his case.
More than 60 icons were selected by 10 high-profile gay figures, including musician Elton John.
"Those that were chosen are not necessarily gay themselves, but have served as an inspiration," a statement said.
The other icons whose images will be on view include the American civil rights activist Harvey Milk, the writers Daphne de Maurier and Quentin Crisp, the artists Francis Bacon and David Hockney, musicians like The Village People, k.d. lang and Will Young, and celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres.
A book containing all the portraits will be launched at the opening of the exhibition.
The exhibition opens on July 2 and ends on October 18.
- Die Burger