A R T S & C U LT U R E
Graphic: Mike Ross, with art by Amgun.
By
Mike Ross (formerly known as DJ Shpank)
Music has long possessed the power to bring people together and to give artful expression to the collective experiences of diverse communities. This is certainly true for the LGBT community, the formation of whose identity was integrally linked to the underground bar and club scene of the early and mid 1900s. Each generation of LGBT people has its beloved songs – its anthems – which voice its struggles, its victories, its Pride. In the following list, I highlight 12 such anthems, which are distinguished not just for their musical quality but also for the enduring relevance of their messages of Pride and self-love.
For me, this song is the quintessential Pride anthem. I first heard it when I was about eighteen. At that point, going out dancing was a huge part of my life. I had just discovered the local gay bar, called The Grotto, and it was an unbelievable rush to be in a place full of people just like me. The lyrics encourage the listener to take “a stand for freedom” and never to give up. “What have you done today to make you feel proud?” Small reminds us that while we have made great strides toward equality, there is still much to be done. Josh Harris’ remix is the only one that is commercially available. It can be found on the Josh Harris Remix EP.
Hodges declares “a war against hate” in this feel-good diva anthem! Rosabel (Ralphi Rosario and Abel Aguilera) deliver a stomping club mix by combining classic piano house chords with tribal, Latin-influenced percussion. The upward key change in the bridge invokes a feeling of celebration, which is reinforced by the added sound of a cheering crowd. This one is available on Pat’s single, Love Revolution: The Remixes. There is even a handy radio edit of this remix for you non-DJs!
136 | Boston Pride 2016
