I am a 48-year-old gay man with a celebrity crush on 20-year-old Miley Cyrus. Here's why.
10. She likes the rumor that she is a lesbian.
This past week, when labeled a lesbian because of her edgy, short-cropped haircut, she embraced the notion that she might be gay. She took it as a compliment. Miley doesn't give a damn what you think of her. For such a young woman, she has a strong sense of self. You go, girl!
9. At 19 she had an equality sign tattooed on her middle finger.
To explain, she tweeted, "All LOVE is equal." To further her stance in support of legalized same-sex marriage, she wrote in Glamour magazine, "I believe every American should be allowed the same rights and civil liberties." Miley is one of the most outspoken celebrity advocates for gay rights.
8. Her transition from child star to adult performer has been seamless.
This transition is one of the strongest since Jodie Foster (a lesbian).
7. She is unabashedly political.
She has strong opinions and is not afraid to share them. She told Rolling Stone, "I'm very liberal for a Southerner, so when I go back home, I'm like a complete alien." She is in full support of gay rights. She clobbered Urban Outfitters, disagreeing with their CEO, Richard Hayne, for backing Rick Santorum. She tweeted, "[E]very time you give them money you help finance a campaign against gay equality."
6. She is unabashedly sexual.
This former Disney princess is refreshingly comfortable with her sexuality. In her latest video for "We Can't Stop," she french kisses a female doll in a pool and, well, uses her tongue in all sorts of ways.
5. Her lyrics.
Have you listened to the words to "We Can't Stop"? "It's our party, we can love who we want / We can kiss who we want / We can see who we want." This is a gay anthem. She has her finger on the pulse of the gay community. And she is correct. We have made great strides. We can't stop now. Hell, it is our party, and if we want, we can make out with dolls in pools.
4. More lyrics.
These words from "The Climb" can also be applied to the modern gay movement: "The struggles I'm facing / The chances I'm taking / Sometimes might knock me down / But no, I'm not breaking." That song has some mature, inspiring lyrics about appreciating the present moment. Miley was 15 or 16 when she recorded it. "There's always gonna be another mountain / I'm always gonna wanna make it move."
3. I have a dog named Cyrus.
This is purely a coincidence, but I am happy for the association. It is so much better than having a dog named Lohan or Bynes. Cyrus is a two-legged dog, and just like his namesake, he doesn't give a damn what you think of him either.
Cyrus (the dog)
2. That rockin' bod.
I know, I am a gay man, but c'mon, Miley is hot.
1. She has said, "[M]y favorite fans are my gay fans."
We gays love you back, Ms. Cyrus.