It’s nearly impossible to picture a Pride playlist—or a night out at a queer club—without Gloria Gaynor’s disco classic “I Will Survive.” For decades, the song has been a symbol of resilience and liberation, embraced as a gay anthem worldwide. But Gaynor’s legacy as a queer icon is now under scrutiny after Federal Election Commission records revealed she has donated nearly $22,000 to the Republican fundraising platform WinRed since 2023.
The donations, filed under her legal name, Gloria Fowles, came to light after fans began questioning her political views last year. The speculation grew when Gaynor accepted a Kennedy Center Honor from Donald Trump without publicly acknowledging calls to decline it. Political commentator Ana Navarro joined the chorus of disappointment at the time, writing on social media:
“Look, the woman is a goddess and deserves all the flowers that come her way. But I wish she wouldn’t accept an award from the hands of a man who has attacked the rights and history of women, people of color, and LGBTQ. The gay community in particular helped turn her signature song into an anthem. Trump is a stain on the prestige and significance of the KCH. Don’t do it, Gloria!”
Further review of FEC filings revealed Gaynor’s contributions went beyond WinRed to include donations supporting prominent conservatives like Ted Cruz, Mike Johnson, and Josh Hawley. While she has not given directly to Trump’s campaign, the recipients of her support have been central figures in advancing anti-LGBTQ+ agendas.
Reaction online has been swift and harsh. “So lemme get this straight, so the gays were booking Gloria Gaynor for years, in return that btch used the money that she made to donate to the Republican party. FCK HER,” one user wrote on X, echoing a sentiment shared by many longtime fans who feel blindsided by the revelations.
Although Gaynor has performed frequently in queer spaces, her relationship with LGBTQ+ fans has always been complicated. Reports surfaced years ago that she requested shirtless men be removed from her line of sight at West Hollywood’s The Abbey, citing religious—not homophobic—reasons. In a 2007 BBC interview, she acknowledged her born-again Christian beliefs led her to view homosexuality through a lens of evangelism, saying, “I want to lead them to Christ and what He has for them.”
When asked about those comments in 2022, Gaynor attempted to clarify, saying, “I’m not against anybody,” pointing to gay family members, friends, and staff as evidence of her acceptance. But critics argue her defense—relying on the “I have gay friends” trope—did little to reassure the community that had embraced her for decades.
Despite her complicated stance, “I Will Survive” remains woven into the fabric of queer culture. It has been celebrated at Pride events, blasted in countless gay clubs, and even immortalized in a RuPaul’s Drag Race lip-sync. Yet, for many fans, the news of Gaynor’s political donations feels like a breaking point.
For some, separating the art from the artist may be the only way forward. But for others, Gaynor’s decades-long status as a gay icon may not survive this revelation.
