Sunday Diva / Three From The Hip: Barbra Streisand

Sunday Diva / Three From The Hip: 

Barbra Streisand

In my own personal big gay church, there is a wing dedicated to what can only be described as...The True Divas. These are ones that may do many things in life, but from the moment they opened their mouths to sing they became the one thing they were meant to become: a true diva.

Maria Callas aside, one diva does rise above the rest. In a way, she created the mold into which all divas must fit...

Barbra Streisand.

That profile.

That voice.

Both, one of a kind.

Her discography consists of 117 singles, 36 studio albums, 9 compilations, 7 live albums and 15 soundtracks. She's been working steady since her night club days opening for Phyllis Diller back in 1960.

Yes, to be a true diva? One has to work very, very hard. 

And Barbra Streisand? Oy, vey...

She's done it all. 

For six decades.

Her ugly duckling ways, her sense of style, humor and abundant poise - to say nothing of her many, many talents - endeared her to many a gay heart, helping her to become the grandest swan of them all.

She's been fearless. Breaking records and ceilings like she was sitting around drying her nails. 

And if there has been a cause dear to her heart? She has not shied away from speaking her mind. This is one lady who knows how to stand up for herself.

(She even painted Oprah's mic!)

The gospel according her?

Well, here's three from the hip, dropping from her lips.

The topic? Politics.

"I am also very proud to be a liberal. Why is that so terrible these days? The liberals were liberators. They fought slavery, fought for women to have the right to vote, fought against Hitler, Stalin, fought to end segregation, fought to end apartheid. Liberals put an end to child labor and they gave us the five day work week! What's to be ashamed of?"

"How I wish we lived in a time when laws were not necessary to safeguard us from discrimination." "Nobody on this earth has the right to tell anyone that their love for another human being is morally wrong."

"We have a president who stole the presidency through family ties, arrogance and intimidation, employing Republican operatives to exercise the tactics of voter fraud by disenfranchising thousands of blacks, elderly Jews and other minorities."

Happy Days Are Here Again- Barbra Streisand

Somewhere - Barbara Streisand

Don't Lie To Me - Barbra Streisand

And one last parting shot...

"I can take any truth; just don't lie to me."