PANEL: About Celebrity women…

Think about pop-stars like Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna. They’re very open and unapologetic with their sexuality. So do they move women forward … or do they move them backwards?

We as a society are moved forward by those in history who make a difference, make a mark, and make an impact. When I think about women in history, I look up to women such as Hypatia of Alexandria and Coco Chanel. I am in awe and attempt to follow the daring footsteps of women such as Rosa Parks and Maya Angelou. When I think about influencers of our society, my immediate thought doesn’t go toward a pop-star such as Nikki Minaj, Lady Gaga, or Rihanna. So I did some research. It appears Time Magazine agrees — and disagrees — with me. They listed Madonna as one of the 25 most powerful women of the past century alongside Hillary Clinton, Aretha Franklin, and Sandra Day O’Connor among others. Once upon a time, Madonna was on the cutting edge of displaying her sexuality in an open and unapologetic way. So I’ve changed my tune. Let’s welcome the Hillary Clintons and the Nicki Minajs of the world to represent the multi-faceted way we can be as women, as humans. Perhaps anyone who seeks to truly be themselves without question, denying all judgment is a game changer in moving us forward. l

Keo Frazier is a local entrepreneur and business leader, and the fearless leader of KEOS Marketing Group. Find out more at keosmarketing.com.

I believe female celebrity sexuality exists in large part for self-promotion and publicity. Pop stars’ actions are pure publicity stunts or, perhaps on occasion, expressions of what they truly think and believe — thoughts and beliefs that average folks in America keep to themselves. But the reputation of women builds on their successes, not on crass publicity stunts. Women of true accomplishment in academia, athletics, government, medicine, and countless other fields are the women to whom I direct my admiration. Very few celebrities are worthy of anything but eight-digit annual salaries. 

Iowa native George Gramer, Jr. is the president of the Colorado Log Cabin Republicans.

I truly believe that we’ll be able to move forward with the conversation of sexuality, gender identification, and an acceptance of people for who they are not by beginning to talk about those topics themselves, but by beginning to talk about sex. Sex is something we all either do or don’t do, but until we’re in a place where talking about it is okay without a fear or stigma of it being “bad” or “wrong,” we’re not going to be able to move onto the issues that surround it. I applaud those who share their bodies and lives in a way that celebrates who they are as a whole, because sex is included in our daily lives and should not be seen as faux-pas or inappropriate to talk about. l

Alison Wisneski is pursuing an MA in Social Change from the Iliff School of Theology. She focuses on relationship building and organizing those to rally around LGBTQ visibility and equality, currently within the United Methodist Church.