Of all the unintended consequences of the Internet, the explosion of user-created art and culture is by far, the most interesting. Nowadays, anyone with a video camera and an Internet connection can post just about anything their imagination allows. For musicians, this has meant an instant audience of millions– and a return to the sort of topical, politically motivated music that dominated the first half of the half-century. And when it comes to politics, nothing inspires more passion– and poetry– than the gay rights movement. Come join us for a virtual concert of gay protest music, from big names to folks you’ve never heard of.
Willie Nelson- “Cowboys are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other”
Our concert starts off with Willie Nelson– and if you bear with our belabored metaphor for a moment, he’s our master of ceremonies, kicking things off with his 2006 ode to cowboy lovin’.
Sean Chapin – “United in Love”
Chapin offers up a Prop. 8 music video with shades of Joni Mitchell tossed in for good measure. He performed the song at a Join the Impact rally held in San Francisco on in November to a crowd of almost 10,000 people.
EternalSSA – “The Time is Now”
We sort of love how the gay protest music scene online is so darn folksy. EternalSSA offers up a rallying cry that inspires you to “fight for your right.” Woody Guthrie would be proud.
DBATES – “The Prop 8 Song”
The song takes really starts at about 1:30 into the song following a megamash of marriage clips. The wait is worth it. If you’ve ever wanted to hear a Jewish boy rap on about how the gay marriage movement reminds him of the Jewish struggle for full equality, now’s your chance. Since it’s rap, it’s pretty damn offensive and will probably incite yet another race war in the comments. We absolutely disagree with his comments about black people not supporting gay right, but this song is too much of a “only in America” oddity to pass up.
Michael Koppy – “Love Conquers All”
Written by a straight guy from Northern California, Koppy’s song was inspired by seeing gay and lesbian folks lining up to get married at San Francisco’s City Hall in the middle of the night. We got choked up.
Stamp Your Feet (Eric’s Stop Prop H8 Mix). Music By Donna Summer
As an encore, we throw in the DJ skills of Eric, who takes a classic Donna Summer tune and turns it into an anthem against hatred.
Mickey's mouse :P
I kind of agree with the comments in the fourth video about Black people and homophobia. It’s not uncommon to hear black people say faggot, the same is true for Latino’s. I’m of black, hispanic and white descent, so I get a lot of crap from everybody. all of this is stuff I’ve heard before. Growing up, the insult to throw around was faggot, and guess who i heard it most from? Young black males. Homophobia isn’t a latent behavior, it is something that is taught, and something that can only be eradicated by education. The fact of the matter is a lot of cultures hate gay people…it’s not fair, nor is it correct, but it’s the truth. We as the misunderstood minority must work to educate those ignorant of our plight. We bleed like them, we have fear like them, we live like them. the only difference being that we love people of our same gender.
When I came out no one bashed me, but a considerable amount of people stopped talking to me. I didn’t care at the moment because I just chalked it up to people being afraid. Now I know that isn’t the case, people were actually revolted by my presence. Eventually they came around after they noticed I wasn’t any different from the way I was before. We are not defined by our sexuality, but some people seem to think so. It’s laughable in many senses that our existence and way of life has been “pre-determined” by the media. Gay culture was broadcast as effeminate young men with fierce attitudes. Of course historically speaking the larger more masculine men were the ones that were afraid and hid “in the closet”. But it’s funny how those first news broadcasts defined what it is to be gay.
The stereotype gay is a 20-something white preppy from a middle class background. The real gay can come from any walk of life, have any amount of income and bleed just like the rest of Americans. As someone who comes from all sides of the table i cannot understand how people can be so closed minded about humanity, and not just accept people for who they are. People are people and shouldn’t be judged otherwise.
It disgusts me that hatred is the driving force behind action. We should all work for peace, because hatred gets no one anywhere. I foresee a better future for gays, this is a given…but after us, who’s next?
Puck
I am at home crying Thank you.
strumpetwindsock
You should probably include Tom Robinson – one of the first political gay rockers. He started in the 70s, and is still at it.
I saw him at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival eight years ago and sadly a lot of the younger queers didn’t have a clue who he was or what he’s about:
http://www.glbtq.com/arts/robinson_t.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPouip93yBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHG2LJGfEdw
playasinmar
You forgot the best one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rixkck8QnjY
rogue dandelion
oh that rap was so awesome
Bitch, Please!
@ Mickey’s Mouse: Thank you, my gay brother. Finally someone said it like it ought to be said, without taking any sides. It is how it is and yes, bigotry and hatred IS taught. Bigotry is not particular to any group or race either. Hate is among gays as well–white gays hating other ethnic gay groups, ethnic gay groups hating each other and whites..and the hate goes on.
Shai
Here’s a couple of good ones:
MC FLOW – CREATED EQUAL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXSVddKQtKQ&feature=channel_page
Chain on Love – A Response to Proposition 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdtW4v0rWPM