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D Alexander, the New Gay Generation |
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“…and thus began the beginning of the new race. A race within
the race of humanity. A race which bares no prejudice, no
judgment.” - Lady Gaga
How gay times change. In the eighties and nineties, a combative
gay youth chanted “We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it”.
Then came the young millennium gays who worked to alter their
queerness, usually by morphing into muscle jocks, sporting cargo
shorts and tight fitting Abercrombie & Fitch tanks.
Today’s gay youth have a new take on what it means to be gay.
They’re not picketing for gay rights. Nor are they manscaping
their chest hair. The gay youth of today are following the creed
of their leaders – Lady Gaga, Ke$ha and the cast of Glee – who
call for self love and proclaim “We R Who We R” because we were
born this way, baby. They’re embracing their inner sissy while
simultaneously refusing to be defined by their gayness. Pop star
D Alexander proudly counts himself among the new gays. He
explains what being young and gay means today. |
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What encouraged you to come out as an artist?
In this industry, it’s hard to tell your team of producers that
you want to write about being fierce and beautiful. The first
few demos I wrote were about chicks and being fly. It came to a
point where I couldn’t handle being suppressed any longer. I had
to unleash the vibrant side of my personality and write music I
felt connected to.
Are you defined by your gayness?
To say that one’s sexual preference is who they are would be
silly. We have so much more to offer. Yes, we should celebrate
ourselves and be prideful of our sexuality, but letting it
define us is a mistake.
What defines you?
Pop music is my ultimate definition. My life goal is to make
people feel and hear the raw emotion in each song I write.
When you sing about being beautiful, what are you
referring to?
Being beautiful is about embracing the most amazing, deepest and
sickest parts of your self. It’s a statement that no matter who
you are or where you come from, there is beauty in the madness.
Do you feel a gay artist has a responsibility to be out?
Absolutely, especially now that teen bullying and suicide is so
prevalent. The community needs role models to empower youth and
let them know its okay to accept themselves. My biggest
responsibility as an artist is not the music but being an
example of artistic truth.
Are there disadvantages to being out today?
I don’t think so. The music industry has changed so much over
the years. Being honest with your crazy is what sells. Sell your
honesty, sell your truth. Nobody wants a picture perfect cover
boy they can’t relate to.
What has paved the way to this new enlightenment?
Lady Gaga has encouraged the world to shoot out with prideful
colors. She is the perfect example of what an artist should be:
a poster girl for self acceptance and musical art. A true artist
will suck their fans into their world and never let them go
until they have consumed their deepest, most darkest thoughts.
Does the gay community support its gay artists?
The problem I think most gay artists have is that they allow
their gayness to consume their craft. Instead of writing
culturally groundbreaking music, they worry about their six
packs and dancing around in their tighty whities. There has to
be more to the artistry.
Who are some of the gay artists that inspire you?
Melissa Ethridge and Elton John for their bravery in coming out
at a time when being gay wasn’t as accepted. They paved the way
for many artists to talk about taboo subjects. Without them,
there would be no Gaga.
Is there anything about yourself that you feel is off
limits in your music?
When it comes to my music, nothing is off limits. If I write
about sex, I bare it all. |
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What should older gay generations know about the youth
of today?
Past generations had to deal with a hell of a lot more
prejudice, and for that, we thank them. The young generation
needs to continue the fight. We need to make it so the next
generation has an even better canvas to express their cultural
freedom.
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Photos courtesy Dale Stine
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