Lunes 16 Feb 2009, 12:41

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One of the things that always kills me while enjoying Last.FM is the comments from people regarding the sexual orientation of the music. I'm sure you've all seen the comments:

"This song is so gay" or "Homo-music" or "Flaming gay" or my personal favoite "Gaycore". It's funny how you never see anyone compelled to use comments like "This song is extremely hetero" or "Totally Straight tune" or "Wickedly unqueer" "Too straight for me" etc. etc.

Not sure when we found it necessary to categorize music by the sexual orientation of the musician or the sociatal segment that is predominatly into that particular artist or style of music but in my humble opinion - people get over it.

I've worked straight clubs during my whole DJ career but I was lucky enough to sub for a few DJs at gay clubs a few times and I have to say they were some of the most satisfying gigs I've had as a DJ. I was able to play whatever I felt worked in the set without fear. The gay community seems to be so open to all styles of music and creatively I was allowed to take the experience anywhere I wanted. I didn't waste a second wondering if the song I chose was "gay" enough for the crowd or anything like that. I just went with the flow and the crowd loved it. That's the way it should be.

I'm glad I've always been one of those people that judge the music for what it is. If you've read my comments on the music I listen to, you'll notice that I have pretty wide tastes but don't have patience for silly, gimicky tunes. I could care less what the artist does in the privacy of their bedrooms or publicly for that matter. Does the music hit me, does it move me, does it evoke good feelings, that's what I judge it by.

When you consider that in every genre, be it Disco, House, Country, Rock, Metal, Folk, R&B, Goth, Euro, Rock Polka (just kidding), Jazz, Freestyle, Trance etc. there are people involved that are straight, gay and likely everything in between, you'll miss out on tons of great music if you spend you're time trying to label it on which side of the sexual fence it sits. Have the balls to like something regardless of you're friends opinions. In highschool, my two favorite bands were Ozzy Osbourne and Dead or Alive…….go figure.

Life's too short - shut up and dance.

-Retro