Lady Gaga insists she isn't a gay icon.

The "Applause" hitmaker - who is openly bisexual - is adamant she never intended to become a poster figure for the homosexual community because she doesn't "consider" herself to be gay.

"But... but... but... but here, where do I say I'm a gay icon? I never said I was a gay icon. When did that happen? Are those lyrics on the album? Absolutely not. I don't even consider myself... I don't even know what that word means. That was a label that was invented years ago. I'm a... I'm a gay supporter," the incredulous star told Attitude magazine.

This comes as a surprise since the 27-year-old singer - who set up the Born This Way Foundation to help bullied teens - has long been an advocate for gay rights, memorably blasting the Russian government over its LGBT rights record and calling on the US military to ditch their policy of "Don't ask, Don't tell" in regards to gay people.

Gaga is currently loved-up with The Vampire Diaries actor Taylor Kinney and worries people think it's just for show when she says she's bisexual. "I mean, I am bisexual, I've said it before, I'll say it again. I don't need to - I'm sorry if this is a bit vulgar - but I don't need to [act like a lesbian] in front of the whole world for people to take me seriously. You can believe it or not, it's just here, I'm honest. I'm not saying it to be controversial; there you have it, here I am, take it or leave it. I know I am not just a lesbian - I have a boyfriend - but all of my friends are in this community," she added.