The real-life YMCA teams up with Boy George to re-record gay anthem
The YMCA is embracing the Village People anthem at long last, teaming up with Boy George for a new recording.
The Young Men’s Christian Association was famously unimpressed with the 1978 Village People hit ‘Y.M.C.A.’, taking exception to the gay undertones and threatening to sue the band for trademark infringement.
However, nearly 40 years on from the release of the single, they’re finally embracing it.
The Australian branch of the YMCA made a surprise announcement this week, revealing they would be partnering with Culture Club singer Boy George to re-record the song.
The new cover was released in support of the YMCA’s ‘Why Not?’ campaign, which aims to “shine a light on the issues that Australia’s youth are facing today”.
In its release, the YMCA explains that marriage equality was ranked among the issues most important to Australia’s young people, next to youth unemployment and mental health.
Boy George said: “The world can be a scary and overwhelming place, it’s easy to feel you’re not important and that your views don’t matter.
“When the YMCA invited me to be a part of this call to arms, I couldn’t say no – this message is too important.
“What if the answer to some of our biggest problems is in the mind of a young person who feels there’s no place in society for them? We need to give them a voice and start listening.”
YMCA Australia CEO Melinda Crole said: “Young people have overwhelmingly told us that their voices are not being given a say in decisions made by governments, institutions and employers that affect their lives.
“They have ideas, energy, dreams and visions for a better future but too many are drowning in despair because they feel ignored.
“Every day, politicians are making decisions that will impact the country and the futures of our young people without even bothering to ask them what they think, and it’s simply not good enough.
“We want to mobilise our 12,000 plus team members and 2,300 volunteers to help empower young people and ensure leadership, justice and fairness for their generation and those that follow.”
