Opinion by Roger-Luc Chayer (Photo: USA Today)
The international gay community is still in shock over the moral betrayal by the Village People, who participated in the festivities surrounding President Donald Trump’s inauguration at the end of last January.
Village People is an American disco music group formed in the late 1970s. Known for its flamboyant aesthetic and costumes inspired by iconic figures of American masculine culture, the group made its mark in music history with festive and catchy songs. Its success is based on iconic tracks that became anthems on dance floors, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
Behind its exuberant image, the group is built on careful musical production, driven by catchy melodies and lyrics that evoke celebration, camaraderie, and freedom. Its rise coincided with the golden age of disco, a genre that dominated clubs and radio at the time. Despite the decline of disco in the 1980s, Village People remained relevant thanks to the lasting impact of their hits, frequently featured in films, commercials, and sporting events.
An important symbol of the gay liberation movement in its early years, the group paved the way for the inclusion and acceptance of gay people at a time when HIV had not yet emerged, and where gay men, with their festive spirit, influenced the careers of many stars and groups.
Between 1970 and 1990, the gay community played a crucial role in popularizing many international stars and groups, especially in the disco, pop, and new wave genres. Thanks to their support, these artists were often able to break through or extend their success.
In the 1970s, the rise of disco was largely driven by gay clubs and bars, contributing to the rise of artists like Donna Summer, Sylvester, and Gloria Gaynor. Village People, with their exuberant imagery and festive style, became a phenomenon largely due to their adoption by the gay public. Groups like ABBA also benefited from immense support from this community, which helped cement their status as pop icons.
In the 1980s, the aesthetics and energy of new wave and electronic pop captivated the gay public, propelling artists like Madonna, who has always acknowledged this influence. Other major figures included George Michael, even before his coming out, as well as the Pet Shop Boys, whose music and lyrics particularly resonated within the community. Bands like Erasure and Bronski Beat directly addressed themes related to gay identity, solidifying their iconic status.
When Village People Didn’t Want Trump to Use Their Hit “Y.M.C.A.”
Over the years, Donald Trump frequently used the song “Y.M.C.A.” at his campaign rallies. As the 2024 election approached, the song was increasingly played to galvanize a predominantly Republican, Christian, and openly homophobic audience. This paradox did not sit well with the group’s representatives, who attempted to stop this violation of their copyright.
Victor Willis, the lead singer and founding member of Village People, asked Donald Trump to stop using “Y.M.C.A.” at his political rallies.
In 2020, as Trump regularly played this iconic song at his campaign events, Willis expressed his discontent and asked the former president to cease its use. Unlike other artists who took legal action, Willis chose a more direct approach by issuing an official statement to express his opposition. However, no legal action was taken, and Trump continued to play “Y.M.C.A.” at his rallies, even after his 2020 election loss.
The irony of this situation lies in the fact that “Y.M.C.A.” had become a festive anthem and a symbol of gay culture, while Trump was criticized for some of his policies regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
Village People Become Collaborators!
On January 20, 2025, during a performance following the inauguration for President Donald Trump’s second term, much to the disgust of LGBTQ+ communities, and despite their previous statements, the group agreed to perform live on stage in the presence of President Trump, who danced with a victorious smirk behind them on the same stage.
Rather than seizing the opportunity to educate the public about LGBTQ+ communities, the group made no reference to its origins or the meaning of the song. Released in 1978, the song “Y.M.C.A.” by Village People is often perceived as a festive, catchy anthem, but it carries several layers of meaning.
On the surface, the lyrics refer to the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association), an organization created in the 19th century to offer housing, sports activities, and a healthy living environment for young men, often in a Christian context. The song celebrates the YMCA as a place where one can find support, have fun, and restart their life.
However, from its release, “Y.M.C.A.” was widely adopted by the gay community, who saw it as a coded reference to meeting and expressing sexual freedom. By the late 1970s, disco was closely tied to gay culture, and many YMCA clubs were known as spaces for socializing for gay men.
Village People members, particularly their lead singer Victor Willis, have at times minimized or denied this homosexual interpretation, claiming that the song was simply a celebration of camaraderie and an active lifestyle. However, its cultural impact made it a true anthem of the LGBTQ+ community, still synonymous with celebration and inclusion.
Village People’s Statement Following This Appearance
In a Facebook post just before the performance, the group acknowledged that their decision to participate in the inauguration might upset some fans. “We know this will upset some of you,” they wrote, “however, we believe that music should be played without political considerations.”
When asked about the reasons for their participation, Victor Willis stated: “We’re trying to bring people together and unite the country. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t vote for him… Basically, I’m a Democrat. We lost, so we need to move on, and it was time for everyone to support the elected president.”
Other Artists Have Paid Dearly for Their Betrayals
Several artists have seen their careers impacted, sometimes seriously, due to their negative comments on HIV or their attitudes toward LGBTQ+ communities in the past. Among the most notable:
- Pat Boone: This singer and actor from the 1950s and 1960s made harsh remarks against the gay community and HIV during the height of the pandemic. He notably spoke disparagingly about HIV, which led to a loss of support in some communities. Though he remained a prominent figure in Christian music, his mainstream career was affected.
- Anita Bryant: A singer and anti-gay activist in the 1970s and 1980s, Bryant is famous for her campaign against gay rights, particularly in Florida. Her negative comments toward the gay community and her handling of the HIV issue led to a boycott of her concerts and products, nearly ruining her career.
- Kenny Rogers: The country singer was criticized in the 1980s for awkward remarks about HIV and homosexuality. While his comments weren’t as severe as those of other public figures, he struggled to regain support from some communities.
- Cynthia Nixon: More recently, her case illustrates how a poorly timed statement can harm a career. The “Sex and the City” actress stirred controversy when she referred to her comments on HIV as “conservative,” despite being known for her activism in support of LGBTQ+ rights. This caused partial disapproval from some of her fans and activists.
- Donna Summer: She indeed went through a difficult period with the gay community due to her controversial comments in the 1980s. The major turning point came in 1983 when, during an interview, she made negative remarks about homosexuality and expressed her opposition to the gay movement, particularly by linking homosexuality to HIV. She also allegedly made statements that seemed to disapprove of the sexual practices of the gay community at the time.
These comments caused shock within the gay community, especially during a period when HIV/AIDS was rampant, and artists were often seen as allies of gay rights. Donna Summer was seen as having betrayed the community, especially since she had been an icon of gay culture, with her music being very popular in gay clubs.
After the controversy, she tried to backtrack on her comments, stating that her words had been misinterpreted and that she regretted what she had said. Nonetheless, the break with part of the gay community was done, and this had an impact on her career in the years that followed.
There’s no doubt that the future of Village People will follow the same path as these other artists who used LGBTQ+ communities to make a name for themselves and build a career, only to later abandon them in favor of power.