“At last I can be free, Yeah, listen, I mean, I really can be me, I’m happy, I’m carefree and I’m gay, I was born this way! I’m happy, I’m carefree and I’m gay, I was born this way!”— Carl Bean
In 1978, Carl Bean, a Black gay male singer from Baltimore who was signed to the legendary Motown Records, released not only a triumphant anthem for gay communities across the globe, but a profound declaration through song that was a bold coming out statement, which spread across mainstream radio spaces. An audacious record for its time, “I Was Born This Way” was a melodic testimonial that accentuated the importance of equity and justice for all people— particularly sexual and gender minorities— that also became a staple for the Black house community …show more content…
(QueerHeritage.com). Disco spaces were underground, insular worlds that were mainly occupied by marginalized groups: the LGBTQ community, Black, Latinx, Jewish, and assorted identities who were on the fringes of society. Therefore, the messaging in “I Was Born This Way” directly represented and spoke to their experiences of living in and through sociospatial subjugation as the other while having the potential to bring to the surface a forceful message that detailed the pride that came with being their authentic selves. Despite this, Valentino’s version did not resonate with or reach the disco crowds as anticipated, yet this was not the end of the potency within the lyrics and harmonies of “I Was Born This Way.” Years later, Berry Gordy, Motown’s founder and Gwen Gordy, his sister and an executive at the label, agreed to re-release “I Was Born This Way” with Carl Bean singing lead after hearing his vocal abilities on another record. Now recognizing the need for monetary and advertising resources towards the disco crowds coupled with the powerful themes in the song that still resonated, it was re-released with Carl Bean on the updated record. Recalling when he was approached to record the song and when he first read the lyrics, Carl Bean
In 1978, Carl Bean, a Black gay male singer from Baltimore who was signed to the legendary Motown Records, released not only a triumphant anthem for gay communities across the globe, but a profound declaration through song that was a bold coming out statement, which spread across mainstream radio spaces. An audacious record for its time, “I Was Born This Way” was a melodic testimonial that accentuated the importance of equity and justice for all people— particularly sexual and gender minorities— that also became a staple for the Black house community …show more content…
(QueerHeritage.com). Disco spaces were underground, insular worlds that were mainly occupied by marginalized groups: the LGBTQ community, Black, Latinx, Jewish, and assorted identities who were on the fringes of society. Therefore, the messaging in “I Was Born This Way” directly represented and spoke to their experiences of living in and through sociospatial subjugation as the other while having the potential to bring to the surface a forceful message that detailed the pride that came with being their authentic selves. Despite this, Valentino’s version did not resonate with or reach the disco crowds as anticipated, yet this was not the end of the potency within the lyrics and harmonies of “I Was Born This Way.” Years later, Berry Gordy, Motown’s founder and Gwen Gordy, his sister and an executive at the label, agreed to re-release “I Was Born This Way” with Carl Bean singing lead after hearing his vocal abilities on another record. Now recognizing the need for monetary and advertising resources towards the disco crowds coupled with the powerful themes in the song that still resonated, it was re-released with Carl Bean on the updated record. Recalling when he was approached to record the song and when he first read the lyrics, Carl Bean