The Power of Being an Icon
Cicciolina. Ultra-diva. Hyper-woman. Media comet in the galaxy of Universal Love. My name, my body, my voice have always been symbols that challenge the usual labels and that break every border. For decades, I have been embraced by the LGBTQIA+ community, recognized as an icon, a muse, and a provocateur. But being called a “Gay Icon” means something deeper: it is a mutual relationship, a chosen family, a connection that is both public and personal.
I have always felt honored by the affection and loyalty of my gay fans. They have a sixth sense for talent and avant-garde art. Their gaze is free from prejudice—they recognize authenticity, celebrate diversity, and never hesitate to raise the flag of freedom. My art, my music, my style—full of double meanings and irony—have always spoken to those who know how to read between the lines and want to live without masks.
Celebrating Love Without Borders
Every year, as I watch the rainbow flags fill the streets, I feel proud and moved. The Pride events, born from struggle, have become joyous festivals of visibility, equal rights, and self-expression. They are parades of love, of battles won and still to win. I remember the excitement and energy at every Pride parade I joined: crowds of all ages and backgrounds, united by the desire to be themselves and love who they want.
Being invited as a godmother for Europride 2018 in Sweden was a true honor. Sweden is, for me, the nation of love, a place where freedom is celebrated not as an exception but as a natural right. I was welcomed by thousands of people, activists, dreamers, lovers, all there to share an atmosphere of total inclusion. It was an ocean of rainbow flags, loud music, hugs, and bold, proud glances. I could see myself in each of those faces. Pride parades are not just parties—they are living declarations that the future is for everyone.
In 2019, I was considered as a guest at World Pride, an event where the whole planet meets to celebrate love in all its forms. I know these moments are precious: they give a voice to those who have felt invisible, and they offer the world an image of joy and dignity, not shame.
Music, Art, and the Freedom to Be Yourself
Music has always been my language—a bridge to express all the nuances of desire and self-discovery. My songs from the ’80s were playful, provocative, and, for many, scandalous. But beneath the surface, they were always about freedom. Songs like “Hymn to Transgression” and “Muscolo Rosso” have become anthems of independence and queer visibility. Their double meanings were a wink to those who felt different and wanted to reclaim their right to happiness and pleasure.
Art must always be ahead of its time—unafraid, experimental, true. My performances, my body, my words have always followed this rule. I have never been afraid to use my sexuality as a tool for liberation. For some, it was scandalous. For many others, it was necessary—a way to break hypocrisy and create new possibilities.
Today, my music lives on, not only in its original form but also in remixes and new versions. It’s a living art, ready to be rediscovered by new generations. The LGBTQIA+ community has always known how to choose its icons, and I am proud that my songs, my shows, and my image have been adopted as symbols of the right to be unique.
Honoring Equality: Awards and Acknowledgments
I have always supported equal rights, not only in words but also through actions. It was with deep pride that I accepted an award for Equal Opportunities at a famous LGBT nightclub in Italy. That night, among rainbow flags, friends, activists, and local authorities, I felt a part of a history much bigger than myself.
The event was more than a celebration. It was a collective statement: diversity must be defended and celebrated, and every victory, even the smallest, is a step toward a more just society. Music, dance, and speeches turned the night into a shared hymn to universal love. People of every age, origin, and background came together, proving that the fight for equal rights is not only political, but also emotional, cultural, and deeply human.
The Hard Road to Acceptance
If today I can write about these experiences with a sense of joy, it is because the journey has been long and difficult. For centuries, and until not so long ago, being openly gay, lesbian, trans, or queer meant facing isolation, discrimination, and sometimes violence. The world tried to silence and erase those who loved differently—just as it has tried to suppress many other minorities throughout history.
For a long time, LGBTQIA+ people had to live in hiding, unable to show their identity freely. The world has often treated them like colonized peoples, denying them the chance to fully realize themselves. But history changes, even when slowly. Today, in many countries, it’s much harder to be openly homophobic than openly gay. That’s a real, hard-won revolution.
Of course, the battle isn’t over. In many places, hate and intolerance still rule. There are still countries where loving someone of the same gender, or simply being yourself, is a crime. Activism, pride, and visibility are needed now more than ever. But the wind of freedom is blowing, and it’s blowing in the right direction.
Visibility as a Tool for Change
Visibility is never just about show. For those who have felt invisible, erased, or silenced, being seen means being recognized as fully human. Pride events, music, and art are powerful tools for giving faces and voices to those who have been ignored.
As an artist and public figure, I have always chosen to be visible—even when it was risky. I have put my body, my words, and my career on the line to send a message: difference is a resource, not a flaw. I have posed, sung, danced, and spoken for all those who, for too long, have been forced to hide. If my example has helped even one person feel less alone, or find the courage to live openly, then my mission has meaning.
A Message to the Next Generation
To the young people who write to me, or who meet me at Pride events, I always say the same thing: love who you want, and be proud of it. Life is too short to waste on fear or shame. Every step you take in the direction of truth and freedom makes the world a better place—not only for yourself, but for everyone.
I see new generations who are less afraid, who grow up with more rights, more language, more allies. The battles of the past are not forgotten, but there is more hope and less loneliness. The rainbow flag is a symbol that belongs to everyone, and its strength is in its ability to include every shade, every difference.
Beyond Borders: Universal Love
Love knows no borders—neither in gender nor in culture, neither in age nor in status. Universal Love is the message I carry with me in every song, every speech, every public appearance. For me, Pride is not just a parade or a festival. It is a statement: love is a human right, and no one can take it away.
At every Pride event, I see people who have traveled long distances, sometimes from places where it’s still dangerous to come out, just to feel free for one day. I see families, friends, lovers, and strangers who become a single, colorful, powerful community. That’s what makes Pride different from any other celebration: it’s both political and deeply personal. It’s a safe space, a party, and a call to action.
The Fight Continues
It would be a mistake to think that all problems are solved. Homophobia, transphobia, discrimination, and violence still exist. The world is still full of injustice, and every right gained can be lost if we stop defending it. There are countries and societies where simply loving someone can still cost you your job, your freedom, or even your life.
But the global Pride movement shows that change is possible. Every march, every rainbow flag, every song, every moment of visibility chips away at ignorance and hate. The LGBTQIA+ community is now connected, visible, and united in a way that was unimaginable just a few decades ago.
Even in countries that seem hostile or closed, the seeds of change have been planted. The internet, social media, and global solidarity make it possible for everyone to find their community, their voice, and their pride—no matter where they are.
My Commitment as a Spokesperson
I have made it my mission to carry this message of universal love everywhere I go. I speak about it in interviews, at concerts, in clubs, at rallies, and, above all, at every Pride event I attend. I am not interested in empty words or slogans. I want to be an active part of this movement, to keep using my art, my music, my public image to support equality, visibility, and self-acceptance.
When I stand on a stage in front of a crowd of rainbow flags, I feel like I am part of a vast, colorful family. Each person in that crowd has a story, a journey, a struggle, and a hope. I am proud to be a voice among many, and I know that my job is to help keep the conversation alive, to keep the doors open, and to remind everyone that love is a right, not a privilege.
The Meaning of Pride
Pride, for me, is not arrogance or superiority. It is the opposite of shame. It means holding your head high, knowing that you are worthy of love and respect, exactly as you are. It means refusing to apologize for existing, for loving, for feeling.
If you are reading these words, know that you are never alone. The road to acceptance, for yourself and for others, is not always easy. But there is a community out there, a global movement, and a future where universal love will be the rule, not the exception.
Keep loving, keep fighting, keep shining. I am with you—always.
