Play Pause Support the PodcastDownloadShare var srp_player_params_664b89e283ba7 = {"title":"","store_title_text":"","albums":[],"hide_artwork":"true","sticky_player":"true","show_album_market":0,"show_track_market":"true","hide_timeline":0,"player_layout":"skin_boxed_tracklist","orderby":"date","order":"DESC","hide_album_title":"true","hide_album_subtitle":"true","hide_player_title":"true","hide_track_title":"true","show_publish_date":"false","show_skip_bt":"false","show_volume_bt":"false","show_speed_bt":"false","show_shuffle_bt":"false","use_play_label":"true","use_play_label_with_icon":"true","progressbar_inline":"true","spectro":"","hide_progressbar":"true","main_settings":"||"} var srp_player_params_args_664b89e283ba7 = {"before_widget":"","after_widget":"","before_title":"","after_title":"","widget_id":"arbitrary-instance-664b89e283ba7"} if(typeof setIronAudioplayers !== "undefined"){ setIronAudioplayers("arbitrary-instance-664b89e283ba7"); } Welcome, to the 2022 edition of Gay Anthems For A New Generation! We've delved deep into the realm of gay anthems, exploring what makes a song truly special to the LGBT+ community. Brace yourself as we embark on a journey through the generations, from GenX to GenZ, to uncover the essence of these empowering tunes. You see, not every song cherished by our community was originally penned as a gay anthem. Yet, for various reasons, these songs have found a special place in our hearts. The core principles that define a gay anthem remain intact: First, we have those powerhouse divas, whose big voices resonate with our spirits. Then, there are the heartfelt ballads that encapsulate the triumphs and struggles of love, inspiring us to persevere. In the spirit of carefree liberation, we celebrate songs that encourage us to throw our worries aside. And let's not forget the anthems that fuel our hard-won self-esteem and embrace our unabashed sexuality. We seek acceptance and find solace in the torch songs of the world-weary, all while believing that love conquers all and refusing to apologize for who we are. Even songs that may seem trivial in subject matter can find their way onto our cherished list because they simply bring us joy. Additionally, we recognize the contributions of gay artists who create music that transcends boundaries and speaks to audiences of all orientations. As we carefully curated this three-volume set, we made sure to include timeless classics that have resonated across multiple generations. We've also included a selection of recent favorites from the past 12 years, ensuring a well-rounded and unexpected musical experience. While we celebrate the strides we've made toward equality, we must acknowledge that our work is far from over. There are challenges on the horizon, threatening to undermine the progress we've fought so hard for in the past two decades. Personally, this weighs heavily on my mind as my partner Rick and I contemplate whether we should continue residing in this country. Although I am physically disabled and limited in my ability to directly effect change, I am committed to documenting the unfolding realities. In the final volume of the Gay Anthems For A New Generation series, I will delve deeper into these concerns. But for now, let's set aside the Debbie Downer vibes and focus on celebrating. So, regardless of your generation, I invite each and every one of you to crank up the volume, transport yourselves back to the magical kingdom of gay anthems reworked for today's generation , and revel in the electrifying beats of this first volume. Stay tuned for more exciting editions to come. Until then...