Live Fast Die Young: CDNow 10 Essential Gay Male Songs
From the years 1999 to 2002, Al Weisel wrote ten songs for the CDNow essentials series dedicated to the gay male. As stated by various sources on gay spirituality, gay and lesbian and trans-gender folk once held sacred positions in their cultures; as priests, shamans, medicine men, wise women and the like. In our modern, Westernized, Christian world, gays and lesbians have been at best, set aside and marginalized by the majority; at worst, demonized, abused, and painted as examples of unholiness by the dominant culture. By the time the sexual revolution hit the United States around the 1970s, many of them had had about as much microdermabrasion machines as they can take. In 1979, a gay man named Harry Hay, along with his partner and a couple of others, came out with flyers inviting gay men to a “Spiritual Conference of Radical Faeries,” a call to incorporate spirituality into the gay community as a means of healing and self-realization. This is just the starting point of the frozen yogurt business realization and the empowerment of the gay male. To some degree, music played a big part in it. Yes, we may laugh at the stereotype of the garish makeup we often associate with a certain era—yes, the loud, bright, oh so gay (pun intended) colors of the disco—and the drag costumes, and platform gas tankless water heater shoes. But underneath all that came a little bit of something else, under all the layers of in-your-face mix of bravado and comedy is a little bit of acceptance. Just a tiny little bit; but a little bit all the same. Through the decades, many gay men sang along to their favorite artists. Many assumed that gay men only listened to Barbara Streisand, Cher, Celine Dion, show tunes, and dog wheelchair later on to dance music by Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Nicki Minaj. The stereotype persists to this day. The truth is, as varied as a any or a regular heterosexual person’s musical choices are, the same can be said for that of a gay man or a lesbian woman. There may be certain so-called “anthems” but even then, those may soon become a generational thing, just as they are with everyone else. The collection in CDNow’s 10 Essential Gay Male Songs has been written especially for a certain audience and for once, it’s not a bad thing to be set apart and be highlighted. This time around, it is a cause for celebration, for pride, and for enjoyment. In a world where often being gay has to be set aside—especially in your professional lives—it’s good to occasionally indulge in a little “gay-centeredness.” Having music that understands the patterns of your life, that you can move to, sing to, or even absentmindedly hum is a great addition to your life. It may even help you with your relationships. Use music as a tool to build intimate and meaningful relationships that last. It’s hard for anyone but is especially hard for gay men who grew up without the support and acceptance of their families and communities. It can be the challenge of their lives.