The Village People’s decision to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ball and rally, has sparked backlash due to the band’s ties to the LGBT+ community.
The group gained international fame in the 1970s, particularly with their anthem “Y.M.C.A.” — a song that has been embraced by the pride movement worldwide — and their flamboyant on-stage personas and catchy dance-pop music.
“We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics,” lead singer Victor Willis wrote in a post on Facebook.
“Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost.”
The outrage was swift. One fan responded on Facebook by saying: “Well I have no more respect for your group. I grew up with you and danced to your music and then you plan to perform at a convicted felon’s inauguration who also has no respect for women. I am ashamed and will be throwing away all of your music.”
“This decision feels like a betrayal to the very people who have supported and celebrated your work for decades,” said another.
However, on the more MAGA friendly X, the decision was welcomed. “Great to hear, I read that even though you may not agree or voted for him, you are still doing it because of the bigger picture. KUDOS to you all, that’s how America is supposed to be,” said one Trump fan.
“Thank you guys for giving those of us to the right a chance to enjoy your music still. BTW I have loved your music my entire conservative life. Happy New Year,” said another.
The Village People join Trump’s musical favourites, opera singer Christopher Macchio and country singer Lee Greenwood, as well as country music icon Carrie Underwood, who has committed to performing “America the Beautiful.”
Lead singer Willis had previously voiced his disapproval of the use of “Y.M.C.A.” at Trump rallies, which started during the former president’s 2020 campaign.
He voiced fan worries about the song’s political context at the time and asked the Trump campaign to stop playing it.
Willis, however, changed his mind last month when he admitted that the song’s appeal has only increased since it was played at Trump rallies.
“He’s [Trump] having a lot of fun with it,” he wrote in a Facebook post in December.
Willis also rejected the suggestion the song is a “gay anthem”.
“There’s been a lot of talk, especially of late, that Y.M.C.A. is somehow a gay anthem,” he said.
“As I’ve said numerous times in the past, that is a false assumption based on the fact that my writing partner was gay, and some (not all) of Village People were gay, and that the first Village People album was totally about gay life.
“This assumption is also based on the fact that the YMCA was apparently being used as some sort of gay hangout and since one of the writers was gay and some of the Village People are gay, the song must be a message to gay people. To that I say once again, get your minds out of the gutter. It is not.”
He added: “When I say ‘hang out with all the boys,’ that was simply 1970s black slang for black guys hanging out together for sports, gambling or whatever. There’s nothing gay about that.”
Willis stated he would pursue legal action against any media outlet that falsely characterizes “Y.M.C.A.” as a gay anthem.
There was a mixed reaction to the announcement. Some Facebook commenters congratulated the band, while others expressed disappointment.
A fan congratulated the band for “Keeping politics out of performing your music”. However, one fan pointed out the band “stand for acceptance, tolerance, respect for others”, while Donald Trump does not.
