Media of the Gay Rights Movement

Proud by Heather Small. This was one of many amazing songs featured on Queer as Folk <3.

Music, photos, film, news footage, newsprint, blogs, fiction, and biographies are a few genres of media which have documented not only the gay rights movement but also many other social movements. Music, however, is something which has the power to evoke emotions in us, remind us of events, times, people, and places. Its powerful. It resonates (like Diana Ross' "I'M COMING OUT!!!").

I'm not going to attempt writing a history of music within the gay rights context, that would just take way too long and be way too boring for most of us. But what I am going to do is mention and briefly discuss a couple songs I feel really represent some past and present gay rights struggles in North America.

Disco was, as we all know, huge in the late 60s and early 70s within the African American, gay, and psychedelic communities. It created a space in which gay men could feel comfortable and develop their own identity. I must admit I do love me some Gloria Gaynor, Jackson 5, and Diana Ross once in a while :).
Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
It's very obvious what I'm Coming Out is about. I've heard it many times in gay bars (remember, I'm 22 so that's in the last 3 years). It's still very relevant as homophobia is still very prevalent.

More recently we have the continued fight for marriage equality in the United States and the passing of proposition (H)8 in California. I could rant on forever about the religious right (which, by the way, should be called the religious wrong lol), we all know about the Mor(m)on church funding much of the hate. However, in response to Prop 8, Depeche Mode released the single Wrong. It's truly a beautiful song with a powerful music video. Depeche Mode - Wrong YouTube has disabled imbed for this song or it would have been easily played right here for your convenience.

Music has the power to reach people who otherwise may not have a direct relation or connection with social movements such as gay rights. Music enthusiasts or general music listeners who actually pay attention to music will realize, to an extent, what the song is about. This coupled with widespread media coverage and word of mouth makes the otherwise non-affected person aware of the struggles faced by gays and lesbians. Now its just up to the composers, artists, videographers, writers, reporters, and gossipers to do the struggle justice and give it a sense of humanity.

OH, and about this Buju Banton guy, speaking about music, he is a real piece of work! His song Boom Bye Bye in proper English states:

"Get an automatic or an Uzi instead
Shoot them now
When Buju Banton arrives
Faggots have to run
Or get a bullet in the head
Bang-bang in a faggot’s head
Homeboys don’t condone nasty men
They must die."

I am delighted the gay and lesbian community has stood up and had many of this homophobic hater's concerts cancelled. He better not decide to come to Edmonton anytime soon, I will definitely be outside the venue protesting if they still allow his show to go on and I'm sure I won't be alone. Its so hard to believe that someone is openly allowed to promote hate and also profit from it!

I couldn't find a song more appropriate to end this post :).

Love/Hate (Relationship(s))

I think its a fair to say that most people realize the bliss that is love. After all we are always surrounded by images of affection and love from couples holding hands and sharing a kiss to the commercialist holiday that is Valentines Day. And some people, as delusional theists, claim their god(s) love. However, this love, more often than not, is definitely conditional upon ones way of life, to keep it simple.

Its also fair to say hate exists all around us as well. For instance the KKK or other white supremacist groups, heterosexist religious bigots, and even murderers. Yet every bigot I've encountered, read about, or seen on TV grounds their views in some sort of concrete explanation--usually something god related. For instance, folks like Bill Whatcott (google this crazy ass mofo if you haven't heard!) or Fred Phelps obviously think god loves them but not anyone else who doesn't fit in to the little cookie cutter shape that is the white middle class heterosexual male.

What I really don't understand is how one can take the love they feel, even if its delusional, and transform it into something so hateful. I think these douche bags just really need a dose of real love. Maybe even love coming from the same sex. After all Bill Whatcott used to be a male prostitute so is most likely a homosexual dealing with horrible conflicting views that are tearing him apart on the inside. He probably just needs a little butt sex and, more importantly, some genuine love (although I don't know anyone who would tap that).

If everyone would realize how precious and short life is (which includes disregarding the idea of an ever lasting life or heaven or whatever) then we would all realize the importance and power of love. I applaud those who give out free hugs, pay it forward, volunteer for a worthy cause, and otherwise do their own little part to spread some love to the rest of humanity.

Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
Franklin P. Jones

To take this a bit further, its also easy to see that love and hate are indeed inextricably tied together. Religious bigots and other haters (I hate the term 'haters') use the love of god to hate others who supposedly aren't loved by god. Someone who has a bad break up out of a serious long-term relationship may hate their ex, depending on the circumstances. And really, just like you can't have vanilla without chocolate: you can't have love without hate. Maybe hate makes some of us really value love and see its importance in an ever changing, unstable world.

We're all in different kinds of relationships all the time, whether that be romantically, as friends, acquaintances, or even with our family members. For some of these relationships, and most over some time, we do experience different kinds of love. We have a deep, emotional, and romantic love with our partners. Our love for true/best friends is that of unconditional understanding and acceptance accompanied by support. The relationship we have with our family can be unconditional or very conditional. Along with this its easy to think of things or people we dislike, or maybe even hate. I don't like hating people as I feel hate all too often, however, there are at least two people who I would say I hate, neither of whom have been mentioned in this post.

Basically what I'm trying to get at in this horribly long and loosely organized post is we (as in EVERYONE including bigots) need to be more loving of everyone and tell those we love that we love them, yes, cliche, I know. And for you macho annoying hetero men, it won't make you less of a man to tell someone other than your girlfriend that you love them or even give a hug to your brother or friend.

Finally, I can't go on about love for seven paragraphs without thinking of my partner. It's almost been six months <3. I love you sweetie! Here's an e-song-o-gram for you, my love.