Why Marilyn Monroe Refused to Be Shamed for Who She Loved — And How She Became a Silent LGBTQ+ Icon

In the tightly corseted social climate of the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe stood out not only for her luminous screen presence but for a quiet, radical compassion that defied the prejudices of her time. Long before same-sex marriage was even part of public discourse, Monroe championed the idea that love — in any form — was inherently beautiful. Her oft-repeated belief that “no sex is wrong if there is love in it” reflected an empathy far ahead of her era, one that continues to resonate within the LGBTQ+ community today.

Empathetic Openness Before Its Time

Monroe’s vision of love was unbound by societal norms. In a private exchange with Jane Lawrence, the lesbian president of her fan club, she said: “When two people love each other, who cares what colour or flavour or religion they are? It’s two human beings. It’s beautiful. Love is beautiful. It’s that simple.” At a time when queer relationships were hidden in shadows, Monroe’s perspective offered a rare message of inclusion and dignity.

When rumors circulated about her own sexuality, she didn’t recoil or rush to deny them. Instead, she met them with a disarming blend of humor and conviction: “People tried making me into a lesbian. I laughed. No sex is wrong if there is love in it.” By refusing to stigmatize affection between consenting adults, Monroe planted an early cultural seed for acceptance — one that would blossom decades later into broader social change.

A Defender of the Marginalized

Monroe’s allyship extended beyond words. She fiercely defended friends in the industry who faced persecution for their sexuality, including actor Montgomery Clift. Of the insults hurled at him, she remarked: “People who aren’t fit to open the door for him, sneer at his homosexuality. What do they know about it? Labels. People love putting labels on each other. Then they feel safe.”

Her disdain for labels was not only a critique of homophobia but also a personal stance against the reductive way Hollywood tried to box her in as a “dumb blonde.” That understanding of marginalization gave her a deep empathy for anyone forced to hide their truth. Even her work in Some Like It Hot (1959) — though comedic — subtly poked at gender norms and hinted at ideas, like same-sex marriage, that mainstream America wasn’t ready to openly discuss.

Authenticity in the Face of Judgment

Monroe never pretended to have all the answers about her own identity, and that vulnerability only deepened her connection with those who felt similarly out of step with the world’s expectations. Recalling one awkward encounter, she said: “A man who had kissed me once said it was very possible I was a lesbian because I apparently had no response to males — meaning him. I didn’t contradict him because I didn’t know what I was.”

Rather than feign certainty to fit the mold, she embraced ambiguity and celebrated the complexity of human desire: “We are all born sexual creatures. It’s a pity so many people despise and crush this feeling.” This candid acknowledgment of fluidity — rare for her era — helped solidify her as a gay icon. Her image would later become a fixture in drag culture, where her vulnerability and glamour offered a template for self-expression without apology.

A Legacy of Love Without Labels

Marilyn Monroe’s advocacy was never about public campaigns or political rallies. It was embedded in her words, her relationships, and the way she refused to bow to shame. In doing so, she modeled a quiet rebellion against the rigid norms of her time — one that still inspires today.

Her plea to “open our hearts” remains a timeless call for compassion, urging us to see love not as something to categorize, but to celebrate. Six decades after her death, Monroe’s belief in love without labels still challenges us to expand our empathy — and to remember that the most beautiful acts of courage often come in the simplest of truths.