In pictures: Gay Icons-I

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The first portrait exhibition to celebrate the contribution of gay icons in history is going on display at the National Portrait Gallery.

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The photos were selected by a panel of 10 people, including KD Lang, Elton John, Sir Ian McKellen and Sandi Toksvig.

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The selectors were asked to choose people - dead or alive - who had inspired them or was a personal icon to them.

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Quentin Crisp became a gay icon in the 1970s after the publication of his memoir, The Naked Civil Servant.

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US politician Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. He was so influential a film has just been made about him.