Carol Channing: A “gay icon” to the LGBT community.

Carol Channing performs during her one woman show, "The First 80 Years are the Hardest," at the cabaret Feinstein's at the Regency in New York on Oct. 18, 2005. (Richard Drew / AP file)

Broadway star Carol Channing, best known for her roles in “Hello, Dolly!” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” died Tuesday at age 97. The Tony Award-winner is being remembered not just for her legendary career but also her status as a gay icon…