When it comes to gay icons, there is a tipping point in their careers, a moment when all their gay icon potential crystalizes and they enter the Gay Icon Hall of Fame forever. You know, like when Whitney Houston said to Diane Sawyer, “Show me the receipts,” or when Faye Dunaway screamed, “No more wire hangers!”

With Mariah Carey, the gay icon tipping point was GLITTER! We knew she always had it in her when we first heard that insane voice go to places where no voice had gone before, but it was GLITTER that really sealed the deal. Now that she is a full-fledged gay icon, it looks like she is taking her role seriously with her new album. I haven’t heard it yet, but the name alone – The Emancipation of Mimi – hello! It delivers! And then take a look at the cover artwork. Gay! Gay! Gay!

– Randy Barbato