a friend of Dorothy

euphemism, old-fashioned A homosexual. Refers to Judy Garland, who played the character Dorothy in the 1939 film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz and became a gay icon in the 1960s. Even as far as we as a people have progressed, it can still be extremely difficult—dangerous, even—for people to admit they are a friend of Dorothy in certain parts of the country. I don't think anyone was too surprised when I came out as a friend of Dorothy. A: "Sheila, I really don't think you're his type. Like, really." B: "Are you saying he's a friend of Dorothy?"

a friend of Dorothy

a homosexual person. informal euphemistic

The expression alludes to Dorothy Gale, the young heroine of Frank L. Baum's The Wizard of Oz ( 1900 ), played in the 1939 film version by Judy Garland , who later became a gay icon.