<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Scissor Sisters frontwoman Ana Matronic has paid tribute to Donna Summer. The singer spoke of Summer&amp;#039;s impact on music and wider society. The disco star passed away on May 17 following a battle with lung cancer.   &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s not often I get choked up about a celebrity passing, but Donna Summer really affected me - and still is,&amp;quot; Matronic told Gigwise. &amp;quot;Her gospel background lifted everyone up. &amp;quot;Whether she was singing a happy song or a sad song, she always made you feel very, very spiritual and that&amp;#039;s what I loved about her. &amp;quot;She was a really important voice in the gay community - just by releasing her records. In the sixties in New York City it was illegal to do drag, it was illegal for two men to dance together in public. &amp;quot;When gay men were not allowed to hold the hand of the person they love as they are walking down the street, there is really only one avenue where they can go and express themselves, and that is a nightclub. &amp;quot;So the nightclub and the dancefloor became the one place in the world where gay men could get together and be free. Donna Summer was the soundtrack to that freedom.&amp;quot; Barack Obama and Elton John have also expressed their sadness at Summer passing away. &amp;gt; Donna Summer 1948-2012: Reaction and tributes &amp;gt; Donna Summer 1948-2012: Five of her best hits - videos &amp;gt; Donna Summer &amp;#039;believed 9/11 dust particles gave her cancer&amp;#039; Photo gallery - Donna Summer&amp;#039;s life in pictures: "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a382503/scissor-sisters-ana-matronic-pays-tribute-to-donna-summer/>