How Did David Bowie Change The World

The final way David Bowie changed the world was through his universal message of self-love and acceptance, which majorly affected the LGBT community. It is heavily debated as to what Bowie’s sexuality was. In 1972, at the height of Ziggy Stardust’s career, he declared to the world through now defunct magazine Melody Maker, “I’m gay and I always have been…” (Jones 118) At the time of his statement, he had a wife and child, yet he frequently had relationships with men and women. He later declared his original 1972 statement “...the biggest mistake (he) ever made,” identifying as a “closet heterosexual.” (Rogers) Regardless of Bowie’s orientation, his public statements and actions stunned the world. His unusual hairstyles, glamorous makeup,

It spoke above all to boys alienated from straight-and-narrow manliness, and to girls looking for objects of desire outside those confines.” (Reynolds) David Bowie appealed to so many because he represented the majority, the average people who did not seem to perfectly fit within society’s ever-changing standards for beauty, personality, and interests. Meanwhile, as he risked his career with his experimental antics, he became a glistening beacon of hope for young queer people. Gay punk musician Tom Robinson elaborates, “David Bowie had an incalculable effect on my life, because for the first time, at school, or among young people, you could be queer and you could be one of the good guys.” (Pafford) Finally, the LGBT community had a pop star they felt they could claim as their own, one who gave the green light for thousands of lost individuals to express themselves freely in spite of harsh judgment. This positive message would influence many LGBT icons to come, from George Michael to Madonna, the Queen of Pop. Bowie exhibited his queer identity not only visually but also

Bowie also wrote more accessible songs of encouragement, such as “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide” (1972). “You got your head all tangled up,” the Starman sings, “but if I could only make you care / Oh no, love, you’re not alone.” Bowie’s representation of queer culture and his rallying cries for self-confidence spoke to the souls of millions, and potentially saved many lives, especially LGBT people who did not have anyone like them to be around. One of the biggest gay icons in 1980s Britain, Boy George explained, “As a teenager growing up in Suburbia, I was very much the odd one out and Bowie was the light at the end of a very gray tunnel. He validated me and made me realize I was not alone.” (Bullock) Bowie became a role model to the queer community and taught them to authentically be themselves. Whatever Bowie’s orientation was, his androgynous beauty, temporary public outness, and inspirational and unapologetically queer lyrics allowed millions of social outcasts to feel validated and proud of themselves, regardless of