Madonna's Celebration Tour Marks a Major Milestone in LGBTQ Representation

Mary Gabriel, author of "Madonna: A Rebel Life," shares her own views in this commentary. As she brings "The Celebration Tour" to New York from Europe for the start of a 52-date North American journey next week, Madonna leaves behind a trail of headlines. These include her remarkable recovery from a life-threatening illness, her fans' delight at her long-awaited greatest hits tour, and countless stories dedicated to her wardrobe, appearance, and personal life.

Mary Gabriel

The extensive coverage of "Celebration" overlooks its political and social significance: This tour is Madonna's most radical concert statement in support of the LGBTQ community since her groundbreaking "Blond Ambition Tour" in 1990, and possibly her most radical stage performance to date.

In a time of global threats to LGBTQ rights, with US groups warning of increasing attacks, both legislative and physical, Madonna has created a concert that not only supports the gay and trans community but also showcases her unique view of the world. The show, hosted by Bob the Drag Queen, can be best described as post-gender, with traditional gender markers being irrelevant. In Madonna's vision, individuals are free to be themselves, regardless of societal expectations or legislation.

Kimberly van Pinxteren, the webmaster of the fan site MadonnaUnderground, stated that the show is a powerful statement for freedom and self-acceptance. She has attended nine Madonna tours, totaling 83 shows, and believes that "Celebration" is the artist's most significant affirmation of LGBTQ rights in decades.

Since 1990, every Madonna concert has incorporated LGBTQ elements and tributes. In 2012, during her "MDNA" tour in St. Petersburg, Russia, she challenged the city's ban on "gay propaganda" on her Facebook page and distributed rainbow posters with the words "No Fear" to concert attendees. She faced legal action and arrests occurred, but only twice in her long career has queer and trans culture been the central focus of her show.

Madonna performing during the "Blond Ambition World Tour" in 1990.

The year 1990 marked the beginning of Madonna's "Blond Ambition tour," during a time when the AIDS epidemic was taking a devastating toll on the gay community. Instead of receiving support and compassion, gay men faced widespread discrimination and stigmatization. The underlying homophobia that had been present in society before the AIDS crisis became more overt and hurtful. Media coverage often portrayed gay men in relation to death, with insinuations that they brought it upon themselves. However, "Blond Ambition" played a crucial role in shifting this narrative.

Madonna shared the stage with seven male dancers, one of whom was heterosexual and three were later revealed to be HIV-positive. Through music and dance, they conveyed a message of life and joy. The dancers, admired for their beauty, power, humor, and charisma, became celebrities as the tour traveled the world, inspiring audiences and empowering gay men. This resulted in changing perceptions for both the LGBTQ community and the broader population. While there were critics, such as Pope John Paul II, the tour sparked important conversations and reduced fear. According to Brad Mayer of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Madonna played a crucial role in changing the narrative and recognizing the beauty and contributions of the LGBTQ community.

Writer Matthew Rettenmund, who has attended every Madonna concert except for her first, described the "Blond Ambition" message as "very subversive" and a direct reaction to the social climate at the time.

Decades later, a similar message was needed to reflect the current times. Madonna responded by launching "Celebration," her second concert with LGBTQ rights as its central theme.

In the past 40 years of its operation, the HRC has only issued one emergency declaration, which occurred in June. During that time, state legislatures had passed a record 76 anti-LGBTQ bills out of the 525 introduced in 41 states in the first six months of 2023. From "don't say gay" laws to book and bathroom bans, the most impacted by these measures, according to HRC, were children. Research from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law revealed that around one third of high school-aged transgender youth live in states that prevent them from participating in sports. Additionally, HRC Foundation data determined that around one third of transgender youth aged 13-17 live in states that ban their much-needed medical care.

Madonna kicked off her "Celebration Tour" last October in London, showcasing hits from four decades and making a bold statement in support of the LGBTQ community, marking her most radical concert since the iconic "Blond Ambition Tour" in 1990.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the largest LGBTQ media advocacy group in the world, has issued a series of red alerts this year, including a recent one last month about violence against the LGBTQ community and its allies. GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis stated, "We've witnessed the spread of anti-LGBTQ lies and disinformation from politicians, reaching millions on social media and fueling violence in elementary schools, libraries, places of worship, school board meetings, and businesses."

Internationally, the threat remains widespread, as over 60 countries have anti-LGBTQ laws in place.

Pop culture has the unique ability to change minds through demonstration rather than explanation, and Madonna excels at demonstrating this power.

In the early 1980s, New York dance clubs were havens of acceptance and liberation, where anyone and anything was welcome. Madonna's "Celebration" show captures this loving atmosphere, offering a reprieve from the repressive world outside. Rather than simply showcasing her greatest hits, Madonna's show resurrects an era, providing hope and courage to audiences in need.

At a Madonna concert, the journey always moves from darkness to light, and this tour is no different. The performance of "Live To Tell" features Madonna surrounded by large photographs of loved ones lost to AIDS, as well as small photos representing the countless lives lost to the disease. This serves as a remembrance, tribute, and acknowledgment of the ongoing HIV-AIDS crisis, especially among young people, as 58% of new AIDS cases in 2021 are in the 13-34 age group according to US government statistics.

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The narrative of her concerts unfolds from that somber moment as her 24 dancers strive to persevere. Employing religious symbolism, they hang as martyrs on an altar during "Like A Prayer." They reappear as fighters in a ring, ready to battle during "Papa Don't Preach," and as a mass of intertwined bodies in nude bodysuits during "Justify My Love." Here, they represent individuals unafraid to express their love regardless of the repercussions. Following Madonna's next song, "Vogue", her groundbreaking early commentary on gay and trans cultures, she is apprehended. Questioning, "What did we do? We were just having some fun," Madonna is manhandled and taken into custody.

The LGBTQ community that Madonna highlights in her show is resilient in the face of adversity, just like Madonna herself. Dancers display the words "No Fear" painted on their naked torsos, and pride flags are abundant. As the performance progresses, it becomes more daring and unapologetic, breaking down social, racial, and ethnic barriers. The result is a celebration of pure joy and freedom. By the end of the show, the audience is fully immersed in Madonna's world, reminiscent of her "Blond Ambition" era, where personal freedom knows no bounds. After forty years in the industry, Madonna's message remains the same: have courage and express yourself with no limitations.