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Dr. Brian Mustanski is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago's Institute for Juvenile Research and is an expert in LGBT health and development. See full bio
F- You (Very Much): Pop star Lily Allen sums up the youth perspective on homophobia
Pop star sums up the youth perspective on homophobia
Let me start by saying this post and the embedded video are not for people who are offended by "the F word." It is for people who are offended by homophobia.
The 23 year old pop star, Lily Allen, has a song on her new CD titled "Fuck You (Very Much)" which is a serenade to homophobic people. The song opens with the Allen singing in a sweet and cheery voice, "Look inside, look inside your tiny mind. Then look a bit harder. ‘Cause we're so uninspired, so sick and tired. Of all the hatred you harbor."
There was a time when efforts to subvert homophobia and anti-gay policies were more aggressive and hard line. Marches and protests were the primary form of action. In recent years the gay rights movement has taken a more amiable approach to advocacy by focusing on working with politicians and trying to sway public opinion by creating opportunities to empathize and identify with LGBT people. The social and political change that has come in the last decade is undeniable. Consider the legal recognition of same-sex relationships or the polls indicating acceptance of gay couples, families, and communities.
At the same time, my interactions with LGBT young people indicate a frustration with the pace of progress and a disconnect between their daily experiences, friendships, public policy, and the hate crimes against LGBT people reported in the media. How does a young person whose friends are widely accepting of them being gay reconcile this with stories of young people committing suicide because of bullying or protests and opposition to same-sex marriage? How do young people with a gay friend feel when they hear about another young person being murdered because of their sexual orientation?
The chorus of Allen's song is "Fuck you. Fuck you very, very much. ‘Cause your words don't translate and its getting quite late. So Please don't stay in touch." That sentiment I think reflects the growing perspective of youth who are tired of the intolerance of older generations and a minority of their peers.
Songs like this, I suspect, will become more common. I think they reflect the frustration youth are experiencing with this time of disconnect between growing acceptance of LGBT people and horrible cases of victimization and oppression. Youth led movements take advantage of new media, like the Internet and social networking sites. Below I posted a video created by a group of youth to the music of Lily Allen's song. A "collab" is a group of people, often times who don't even know each other, who work together to create a YouTube video by each creating pieces of the larger video. This video clearly illustrates the creativity, sense of humor, and great frustration of these young people.
Do you have other examples of how youth are using new media and creative expression to demonstrate their frustrations with homophobia and intolerance? Share them below.
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