Victor Willis Stands by Trump's Use of "Y.M.C.A." and Refutes 'Gay Anthem' Claims

Victor Willis, the iconic voice behind the disco hit "Y.M.C.A." by the Village People, has come forward to support President-elect Donald Trump’s use of the song during his political rallies, while contending that the track's popular label as a "gay anthem" is a misconception. In his statement, Willis emphasized that the origins and intent of "Y.M.C.A." were far removed from its later interpretations linked to gay culture.
Willis recounted how "Y.M.C.A." was written with a focus on the social and communal activities offered by the YMCA organization, particularly those of branches he observed in urban settings like San Francisco. He noted that the lyrics, known for mentioning "hanging out with all the boys," were simply reflective of common slang at the time, celebrating camaraderie and togetherness without implying any specific sexual orientation.
Despite acknowledging over 1,000 complaints regarding Trump's use of "Y.M.C.A." at his campaign events, Willis highlighted the profound benefits brought to the song through this exposure. The popularity surge drove the song to a number-one spot on a Billboard chart—an achievement it hadn't reached in its original run over four decades ago. Willis decided not to object to Trump's use of the song, partly due to the substantial attention and financial gains associated with its renewed spotlight.
Addressing the song's entrenched association with gay culture, Willis stated that such notions are based on misconceptions, possibly fueled by the background of some band members and the societal narratives around the band's early music and image. Nonetheless, he insisted that these interpretations were not part of the song's founding intentions or its message.
He argued that such mislabeling harms the song's reputation and artistic legacy. To combat these misunderstandings, Willis announced that starting in January, he and his manager, who is also his wife, intend to pursue legal action against media organizations that continue to mischaracterize "Y.M.C.A." as a gay anthem. His goal is to protect the integrity of the song and ensure its true origins and message are recognized. Meanwhile, Trump's team has yet to issue any formal response to Willis's comments or legal intentions.
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