"Beautiful," damn it: the Linda Perry-penned Christina Aguilera hit--not to mention the sexy video--was the great queer anthem of 2003.

With the simple words "you are beautiful, no matter what they say," pop vixen Christina Aguilera delivered an emotional edict that transcended Hallmark sentimentality and became one of the most powerful moments of queer activism in 2003. In its recorded form, the lyric anchors "Beautiful," a gentle, Beatlesque ballad written by red-hot (and out lesbian) hit-maker Linda Perry. When fleshed out in music video form, the Grammy-nominated song became a perfect slice of cinematic empowerment. Aguilera's plaintive performance was intercut with scenes of gay and transgendered people grappling with their inner and external beauty.

Unlike much of the media's portray al of queers in recent times, "Beautiful" was devoid of clownish camp and diva-like poses. Rather, it zeroed in on the reality of how some struggle with finding their beauty in a world where they're inherently different. It was a stunningly executed piece--replete with the hottest guy-guy smooching ever seen on basic cable--that resonated not only with GLBTs but also with the hetero MTV generation, whose impassioned embrace of the clip made it a prominent fixture on the network's teen-focused Total Request Live program.

For Aguillera, "Beautiful" was an opportunity to convey positive messages. Accepting a Special Recognition Award from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation earlier this year, she said, "This song is definitely a universal message that everybody can relate to--anyone [who's] been discriminated against or unaccepted, unappreciated, or disrespected just because of who you are. It was so important to me that I support the gay community in this sense."

Of course, the singer didn't stop there. Although much ado was made about former teen competitor Britney Spears's lip lock with Madonna during MTV's Video Music Awards earlier this year, Aguilera also shared a kiss with the Lady Miss Ciccone during that performance. Aguilera may not have gotten nearly the same media mileage from the moment that Spears did, but it was further proof that Aguilera is among the good friends queer folks enjoy in the pop mainstream. Beautiful, indeed.

Flick is the cohost of Out Q in the Morning on Sirius/Out Q Radio.