The YMCA

After viewing the music video for the YMCA for first time in at least 5 years, I saw something I had never seen before. I can see how it can be taken as a "gay anthem" within the context of Gay New York and I had known that at least a couple of the members of the Village People were openly gay. What I really saw this time though, was the overwhelming theme of acceptance.

In a piece for Spin.com called "Y.M.C.A. (An Oral History)" (found here: http://www.spin.com/articles/ymca-oral-history?page=0%2C2) in which the Village People are interviewed, there is contention in the responses over whether or not Y.M.C.A was in fact a "gay anthem." Sure, it was probably written with sly nods to gay culture but then the song hit the mainstream with its catchy hook and famous synchronized letter forming dance that has been turning everyone and their uncles into a bunch of cheerleaders on the family wedding dance floor for ages. And when it made that shift into mainstream popular culture, for a large part of the audience a lot of those cheeky references to gay culture were completely unnoticed. If you don't think that's true, think back to the aforementioned family wedding or party. Think about all the people out on the dance floor for when the YMCA comes on. Is super socially conservative Uncle Rick on the sidelines as a matter of character and principle?

So if the YMCA isn't necessarily about being gay, what is it about? Well, what struck me most from the Spin article was this little gem from Roger Bennett, coauthor of Bar Mitzvah Disco:

"Y.M.C.A." is the single most important song to hit the Jewish religion since "Hava Nagila." And paradoxically, not one of the Village People is Jewish. But they did play a critical function, providing a slew of new role models for Jewish youth. We were under such pressure to become bankers, accountants, and lawyers. They opened our eyes to other career possibilities: a cop, a builder, a flamboyant Indian..."

While this too is meant to be somewhat funny, the sentiment is there all the same. It's a song about acceptance. It's a song about having somewhere to go when you need it. And most importantly, it's a song about having fun. That's why it's so popular. The YMCA isn't somberly scolding the "young men" saying they need to go to the YMCA to turn their lives around. It's fun to stay at the YMCA. And the Indian, Policeman, Construction Worker, Cop, and Military Man are clapping and stomping together on the side of the road having a good time telling you so, so it must be true. And Uncle Rick who doesn't think it's right for the Indian and Policeman (who is straight by the way) to be able to marry each other, but he's on the dance floor clapping along and having a good time too.

(Disclaimer: Actually Guy Lauzon from the House of Commons. I google imaged "Conservative Guy" and got very literally Guy, who is a Canadian Conservative. I have no idea where he stands on gay marriage. The picture works all the same. I don't know what your uncle looks like.)