Gay icon Kensington of AIDS-related illnesses (bronchial pneumonia). Artists particularly embraced by the gay community during the 1980s included Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, Alaska, Charo, Dolly Parton, Elaine Paige, Amanda Lear, Prince and Mylène Farmer. Several Britons were seen as gay icons, including singers Boy George, David Bowie, George Michael, Morrissey, Pet Shop Boys, Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, and writer Quentin Crisp. Elton John also became a gay icon during this decade, a status strengthened throughout the years. Diana Ross, a long time gay icon, of The Supremes; released a song I'm Coming Out which brought a significance to the phrase of
John Semple (civil servant) John Semple (civil servant) Sir John Laughlin Semple, KCB (born 10 August 1940) is a retired civil servant who was Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service between 1997 and 2000. Semple was born on 10 August 1940, the son of James E. and Violet E. G. Semple. He attended Campbell College, Belfast, before studying at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Economic Science degree (BSciEcon) from the University of London. Semple joined the Home Civil Service as an Assistant Principal at the Ministry of Aviation in 1961. He