Jimmy Sommerville in an interview with GayRussia.Ru
20/06/2006
By
Nikolay Alekseev, Human Rights LGBT Project GayRussia.ru
Jimmy Sommerville in an interview with GayRussia.Ru
Jimmy Somerville first shot to fame back in 1984 with groundbreaking band Bronski Beat. "Smalltown Boy", their debut single, made the top three in Britain and was a huge hit all over Europe. This famous song describes the isolation and rejection felt by a provincial gay youth forced into leaving town.
Jimmy has always been very supportive and has travelled around Europe as a star guest to many Gay Pride events.
Gayrussia.ru invited Jimmy to Moscow this year but sadly due to a very busy schedule he was unable to join us. We hope to see you in Moscow next year Jimmy!
We did however get to interview Jimmy and here is his reply to our questions:
GR: What is gay culture for you?
JS: For me it's an evolving state of politics, place and mind. It's also a never ending battle with others in society who believe I have no right to exist! This will always be a battle, even in 50 years, a hundred years time, there will be people, religions and organisations trying to deny us our freedoms. For many, the freedom to drink and dance with no interest in the political whatsoever is all that matters. But a constant awareness and involvement in the political is what shall protect us.
GR: How do you think gay culture influenced modern music? Which innovations did gay singers bring ?
JS: Underground gay clubs, music and fashion contributed greatly to culture during the 80's until the early 90's. Sadly, the majority of "gay singers" at the time were still ambiguous about their sexuality. I believe in fact at the time, I was the only commercially successful "out" gay man singing blatantly about my relationships with other men.
GR: It seems as if to be op! enly gay in the music industry is easier than in other areas like banking for example. Do you confirm this?
JS: This is certainly true. Although I am sure it is impossible to be an out gay singer in UAE...............
GR: We will have our first gay pride in Moscow on May 27th, what do you wish to Russian gays and lesbians?
JS: I have one word I have always used and feel it to be a powerful and emotive one................BELIEVE!!!
GR: You are going to be in Warsaw in June for the Gay Pride. Is it something important for you to actively support LGBT rights especially in Eastern Europe?
JS: It is important for me. The Mayor of Warsaw and his allies are homophobes and have tried hard to deny Gays and Lesbians their freedoms under the European Convention of Human Rights............... so I say to them.............. FUCK YOU!!
GR: You have been to Russia on several occasions. What is your view of Russia? Is there anything you liked in particular here?
The train journey from Moscow to St Petersburg......... The Hermitage.......... The fact Red Square is tiny!! ......... the strong Slavic features of so many gorgeous men!!!............St Petersburg in the snow.......... of course there were dislikes of course. The main ones being poverty and corruption............ so on that I shall leave you. Take care.............. Jimmy.
GR: Thank you Jimmy.
GayRussia.Ru
http://www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=5086
Jimmy Somerville first shot to fame back in 1984 with groundbreaking band Bronski Beat. "Smalltown Boy", their debut single, made the top three in Britain and was a huge hit all over Europe. This famous song describes the isolation and rejection felt by a provincial gay youth forced into leaving town.
Jimmy has always been very supportive and has travelled around Europe as a star guest to many Gay Pride events.
Gayrussia.ru invited Jimmy to Moscow this year but sadly due to a very busy schedule he was unable to join us. We hope to see you in Moscow next year Jimmy!
We did however get to interview Jimmy and here is his reply to our questions:
GR: What is gay culture for you?
JS: For me it's an evolving state of politics, place and mind. It's also a never ending battle with others in society who believe I have no right to exist! This will always be a battle, even in 50 years, a hundred years time, there will be people, religions and organisations trying to deny us our freedoms. For many, the freedom to drink and dance with no interest in the political whatsoever is all that matters. But a constant awareness and involvement in the political is what shall protect us.
GR: How do you think gay culture influenced modern music? Which innovations did gay singers bring ?
JS: Underground gay clubs, music and fashion contributed greatly to culture during the 80's until the early 90's. Sadly, the majority of "gay singers" at the time were still ambiguous about their sexuality. I believe in fact at the time, I was the only commercially successful "out" gay man singing blatantly about my relationships with other men.
GR: It seems as if to be op! enly gay in the music industry is easier than in other areas like banking for example. Do you confirm this?
JS: This is certainly true. Although I am sure it is impossible to be an out gay singer in UAE...............
GR: We will have our first gay pride in Moscow on May 27th, what do you wish to Russian gays and lesbians?
JS: I have one word I have always used and feel it to be a powerful and emotive one................BELIEVE!!!
GR: You are going to be in Warsaw in June for the Gay Pride. Is it something important for you to actively support LGBT rights especially in Eastern Europe?
JS: It is important for me. The Mayor of Warsaw and his allies are homophobes and have tried hard to deny Gays and Lesbians their freedoms under the European Convention of Human Rights............... so I say to them.............. FUCK YOU!!
GR: You have been to Russia on several occasions. What is your view of Russia? Is there anything you liked in particular here?
The train journey from Moscow to St Petersburg......... The Hermitage.......... The fact Red Square is tiny!! ......... the strong Slavic features of so many gorgeous men!!!............St Petersburg in the snow.......... of course there were dislikes of course. The main ones being poverty and corruption............ so on that I shall leave you. Take care.............. Jimmy.
GR: Thank you Jimmy.
GayRussia.Ru
http://www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=5086
