January 27th, 2014
Even had my pastor at the Hollywood United Methodist Church not told the congregation this morning to watch this year’s Grammy Awards because it would have a moment that would reflect our congregation’s values of equality, I had heard enough in advance to know that there would be a recognition of marriage in the show this year. And indeed, when Macklemore and Ryan Lewis sang Same Love, their marriage equality anthem, I was prepared for couples to exchange rings.
So when Queen Latifah officiated marriage for a variety of couples, with vocals from Madonna, I was prepared for a celebration of love (though I will admit that I was surprised that the first couple shown included my long-time friend Yawie).
Yet even so, I was composed. It was a nice touch, but that song was not even nominated for Record of the Year.
But tears came to my eyes watching Sir Paul McCartney stand and raise his fist in the air to agree with Daft Punk’s spokesman who, in their acceptance speech for the night’s highest honor, gave tribute to Macklemore and Ryan’s message:
You know I just got a message from the robots [Daft Punk’s public image] and what they wanted me to say is that as elegant and as classy as the Grammys has ever been is that moment when we saw those wonderful marriages! And same love is as fantastic … and it was the height of fairness and love and the power of love for all people at any time any combination … is what they wanted me to say.
To take their moment in the spotlight to celebrate equality as expressed by someone else’s song was a moment of true generosity and an expression of integrity that few other artists could ever hope to emulate.
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Cass
January 27th, 2014
Timothy, I am from Slovakia and I can’t watch the Grammys, so thanks for this teary-eyed information. I am happy that gay people are part of the mainstream media, step by step(well, at least in U.S.)
Like Tony Awards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfZOodFqLuM
“Broadway is not just for gays anymore!”
In my country it is like “Slovakia is not for gays anymore!” :-(
Thank you, Timothy.
TampaZeke
January 27th, 2014
I agree. The Daft Punk acknowledgement was as amazing as the Same Love performance. What a night! The entire show was a One “Million” Moms nightmare. They’ll have weeks worth of poutrage to feed off of. It doesn’t get much better than that.
MattNYC
January 28th, 2014
While I appreciated the gesture, it felt forced and hokey and just reminded me of a Moonie mass wedding…
We want OUR vows to be in front of people who we care about and who care about us. Not in front of a bunch of strangers (there and broadcast).
Regan DuCasse
January 28th, 2014
Oh, how the anti gay heads have been exploding over this.
Todd Starnes at TownHall has tweeted and claimed this was a hateful, bigoted anti Christian attack.
The Christian Post FB page has had four articles that attracted the usual anti gay sermons and admonishments to ‘go read the Bible!’.
It really shows a crass selfishness and hypocrisy unbecoming anyone who is claiming they have some kind of lock on moral standards.
Pete Seeger has just passed away. His songs were the anthems of the Civil Rights Movement and anti war protest.
The soundtrack of my childhood.
Macklemore’s song has officially reached the level of inspiration for the new generation searching for a similar moral center in answer to what injustice they see around them.
The anti gay are so unreachable as to remember not just the era they live in, but how America rolls when it comes to social justice and who got us there.
And shame on them all.
Priya Lynn
January 28th, 2014
“Oh, how the anti gay heads have been exploding over this.
Todd Starnes at TownHall has tweeted and claimed this was a hateful, bigoted anti Christian attack.”.
I can hardly believe it! How can they not see how absurd that idea is and how profoundly selfish they look?!
Priya Lynn
January 28th, 2014
It just boggles my mind that anyone could say that and expect to be taken seriously.
Ben in Oakland
January 28th, 2014
Prius, when you speak directly for and to god– or at least can’t distinguish among the voices inside your head– of course you’re being taken seriously, at least by the voices in your head.
I am finding it more and more amazing that they feel they can say whatever they want– ROL and duckin’ dynasty and the lot– and yet complain if we respond. Even more amazing that this sscheisskopf assumes that it’s all about him.
This is a sickness.
Ben in Oakland
January 28th, 2014
Bang on, as always Regan.
MCB
January 28th, 2014
Maybe if they crack open their Bibles they’ll notice that Macklemore actually quotes 1 Corinthians in a serious and respectful way in the song?
That’s probably hoping for too much…
Regan DuCasse
January 29th, 2014
MCB: Ain’t THAT the truth?
“Love is patient, love is kind…”.
But it’s been hoping too much they actually take Christ’s commandment to ‘treat another as they’d be treated” as well.
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