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My friend Sam had this awesome idea last year. Instead of buying decorations for his Christmas tree, he and his partner decided to make sparklies of their own. Rather than plastic angels and itchy tinsel, Sam created special queer/trans Christmas decorations. His Christmas tree kind of became a pine-scented altar to famous, and not-so-famous-but-inspirational queer/trans folks (and allies).

I thought this was an excellent idea, and something that I could do with in my living room all year round (but pine trees are so messy…). So today I’d like to reflect on the figures who would make it as baubles on my own Chrissy tree.

The first person who would definitely be there is Project Runway’s Tim Gunn. Oh Tim. Not only are your gorgeous suits irresistible – you give me strength by allowing me to bear witness to your gentle, caring, nice-smelling masculinity. I’d also include a contestant from last season – Mondo – because he is the most adorable human I have ever seen.

The next person I think of is Oscar Wilde (played by Stephen Fry to catch two babes with one bauble). I was nourished on Oscar’s writing as I was growing up. He was the one queer author I could easily identify on our bookshelf at home. I carried around that book in my bag for years. In recent years Stephen has also made it onto the bookshelf.

Next would be Missy Elliot. There is something irresistibly genderqueer about Missy. She would be a musical decoration, so every time someone moved nearby Get Ur Freak On would play.

One whole branch of my tree would be taken up by thinkers like Kate Bornstein, Jack/Judith Halberstam, Judith Butler and Gloria Anzaldua; people who have prompted me to question, and ultimately change the ways I live my life and practice my politics.

The angel at the top of my tree, in a glittery silver body suit (that she had to be sewn into) is Cher. A cliché I know, but I can’t think of any other queer icon/elder who would be more pissed off if she wasn’t on the top of the tree. I am intimidated by Cher. And I like it.

I guess any exercise like this will always be a challenge – all of these people probably hold beliefs with which I would disagree. Still, for who and what they are they inspire me.

– La Di Da <3

Who are your queer/trans icons? Feel free to share your list with me at dameladida@gmail.com