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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyMay 17th, 2012
Donna Summer, queen of disco, has died at 63.
Like many divas, Summer’s career was created and cultivated in gay dance clubs. But, as divas sometimes do, Summer thought that the immense record sales – most of whom were not to gay people – meant that she had broad-based adoration and forgot that without core support from a fanbase those hype-driven sales would not be possible.
In the 80’s, Summer became a born-again Christian and lost connection with the gay community. In the process some statements and attitudes were attributed to her that suggested hostility and condemnation. Summer denied making the statements and claimed that in their efforts to protect her, her staff failed to make her aware that the gay community was hurt and angry. And though that seems a bit difficult to swallow in whole, she did apologize and disavow any negative statements.
Perhaps her career could have thrived despite music transitional periods had she not squandered her gay fan base. But it did not. After decades of less-than-really-successful albums and almost-kinda-comebacks, she still is known mostly for the hits of her disco years.
For me, perhaps the Donna Summer moment is from 1979, sitting in the family van listening to A.M. radio outside of Mercy Hospital while waiting for my father to finish his pastoral rounds.
Someone found a letter you wrote me, on the radio
And they told the world just how you felt
It must have fallen out of a hole in your old brown overcoat
They never said your name
But I knew just who they meant.
I was so surprised and shocked, and I wondered, too
If by chance you heard it for yourself
I never told a soul just how I’ve been feeling about you
But they said it really loud
They said it on the air
On the radio
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Christopher
May 17th, 2012
Rest in peace, dear lady. Your music has been my constant companion since the age of 10, when we in North America first heard your anthem of female celebration. No wonder what the fads of the day, I always return to your voice, and your messages of joy, and of dancing. From the morning hours until I drift off to sleep at night, in the car or on the radio, heaven knows your winter melody takes me on a journey to the centre of my heart.
No More Tears.
There Will Always Be A You.
I Love You.
Love Is In Control.
AlexH
May 18th, 2012
What’s interesting is that Summer wasn’t always against the gay community and even acknowledged us on the “Live & More” album in 1978, while speaking to the audience.
She says, “This is a song that a lot of you ladies will identify with…and maybe some of you men, too” before launching into “Some day he’ll come along, the man I love…”
I agree that the brouhaha over her alleged comments, and the seemingly tame reaction she had to it, brought her career down in flames.
My Donna moment was watching Dick Clark’s “New Year’s Eve” special, while the grownups partied, and seeing her come out in a sequined beret and singing, “Last Dance.”
Priya Lynn
May 18th, 2012
This is the first I’ve heard of any anti-gay statements being attributed to her. I take her at her word that she didn’t make them.
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