How gay times change. In the ’80s and ’90s, a combative gay youth chanted “We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it”. Then came the young millennium gays who worked to alter their queerness, usually by morphing into muscle jocks, sporting cargo shorts and tight fitting Abercrombie & Fitch tanks.
Today’s gay youth have a new take on what it means to be gay. They’re not picketing for gay rights. Nor are they manscaping their chest hair. The gay youth of today are following the creed of their leaders – Lady Gaga, Ke$ha and the cast of Glee – who call for self love and proclaim “We R Who We R” because we were born this way, baby. They’re embracing their inner sissy while simultaneously refusing to be defined by their gayness. Pop star D. Alexander proudly counts himself among the new gays. He explains what being young and gay means today.
San Diego LGBT Weekly: What encouraged you to come out as an artist?
D. Alexander: In this industry, it’s hard to tell your team of producers that you want to write about being fierce and beautiful. The first few demos I wrote were about chicks and being fly. It came to a point where I couldn’t handle being suppressed any longer. I had to unleash the vibrant side of my personality and write music I felt connected to.
Are you defined by your gayness?
To say that one’s sexual preference is who they are would be silly. We have so much more to offer. Yes, we should celebrate ourselves and be prideful of our sexuality, but letting it define us is a mistake.
What defines you?
Pop music is my ultimate definition. My life goal is to make people feel and hear the raw emotion in each song I write.
When you sing about being beautiful, what are you referring to?
Being beautiful is about embracing the most amazing, deepest and sickest parts of your self. It’s a statement that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is beauty in the madness.
Do you feel a gay artist has a responsibility to be out?
Absolutely, especially now that teen bullying and suicide is so prevalent. The community needs role models to empower youth and let them know it’s OK to accept themselves. My biggest responsibility as an artist is not the music but being an example of artistic truth.
Are there disadvantages to being out today?
I don’t think so. The music industry has changed so much over the years. Being honest with your crazy is what sells. Sell your honesty, sell your truth. Nobody wants a picture perfect cover boy they can’t relate to.
What has paved the way to this new enlightenment?
Lady Gaga has encouraged the world to shoot out with prideful colors. She is the perfect example of what an artist should be: A poster girl for self acceptance and musical art. A true artist will suck their fans into their world and never let them go until they have consumed their deepest, most darkest thoughts.
Does the gay community support its gay artists?
The problem I think most gay artists have is that they allow their gayness to consume their craft. Instead of writing culturally groundbreaking music, they worry about their six packs and dancing around in their tighty whities. There has to be more to the artistry.
Who are some of the gay artists that inspire you?
Melissa Etheridge and Elton John for their bravery in coming out at a time when being gay wasn’t as accepted. They paved the way for many artists to talk about taboo subjects. Without them, there would be no Gaga.
Is there anything about yourself that you feel is off limits in your music?
When it comes to my music, nothing is off limits. If I write about sex, I bare it all.
What should older gay generations know about the youth of today?
Past generations had to deal with a hell of a lot more prejudice, and for that, we thank them. The young generation needs to continue the fight. We need to make it so the next generation has an even better canvas to express their cultural freedom.