From the Archives: Remembering Carrie Fisher, A Princess to Some, A Queen to Us

To many of her fans, Carrie Fisher may forever be the interstellar princess who saved a galaxy far, far away. Ironically, Fisher might be one of few celebrities who was truly "down to Earth." A daughter of Hollywood royalty, she held nothing back--not her split with her gay ex-husband, not her struggle with bipolar disorder or drug addiction. A towering queen of wit, Fisher thrilled the gay men and women in her life and set the standard for what an "ally" really is.

In 2009, she shared her thoughts on gay life for Out's "Can I Be Blunt?" section. Her charismatic ribbing of gay culture ("Not all of us share your enthusiasm for big cocks") shows the love and laughter that, while satirized today, underpins the special bond between gay men and straight women. Fisher didn't need the Force to build an alliance around her, whether here or light years away; she was a force unto herself.

After her death, we acknowledge her mark on not just sci-fi, but also pop culture, and above all we celebrate a woman who was always willing to say exactly what needed to be said.

Can I Be Blunt? Carrie Fisher