Superstar singer Beyoncé has said during an interview that she is “flattered” to be considered by some a gay icon, noting Judy Garland, Cher and Madonna as others, and saying she is “in the company of great women”.

In an editorial in Flaunt magazine, which features racy photos she had taken in 2011 as part of her ‘4’ album cover shoot, the former Destiny’s Child star, 31, said she was honoured to be considered a gay icon like Garland, Cher and Madonna.

She said: “I’m flattered if I’m in the company of those great women. I think they love that we are bold, unafraid to love, and flaunt our sexuality and strength.”

The photographs were shot by Tony Duran back in 2011.

Back in March, Beyonce joined Madonna in coming out in support of equal marriage on the first day that the US Supreme Court took on two cases challenging same-sex marriage bans.

On her Facebook, she wrote: “It’s about TIME!!! #EQUALITY #MarryWhoYouLove”, in the post which over 60,000 people liked on Facebook within the first hour that it was posted.