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"I felt it was a great tribute, and it was the continuation of saving lives," he says. Bean says that when he heard Gaga had been inspired by his recording, he was flattered. Though he's retired today, Bean also spent many years as a sort of activist pastor: He founded the Unity Fellowship Church, ministered to gays and lesbians and was vocal during the AIDS crisis. Now in his 70s, he says he had always known he was gay, so it felt like a perfect fit. "I heard this song, and I just said, 'Man, does that answer every question.' "īean had been pursuing a music career when Motown asked him to record the song. In a 2011 interview, Lady Gaga told Howard Stern that Bean's recording had been one of her main inspirations. A few years later, a gospel singer named Carl Bean released his own version of that song. While compiling a discography of queer music some years ago, Savage unearthed a copy of a song by a singer named Valentino called " I Was Born This Way," which came out in 1975. What not everyone realizes, Savage says, is that Lady Gaga's lyrics have a history, which she knew about. "She wanted to do something that was affirmative. "Obviously Lady Gaga wanted to say something about her gay audience, and what she thought about the position of gay people," he says. On the latter point, music writer John Savage disagrees. Some accused Gaga of directly imitating Madonna's hit " Express Yourself." Others said she was exploiting her gay fanbase.
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But there was also a backlash against it. "It's definitely one of those songs that will always be played in every pride stage, and I think that was her intention."Įven Elton John hailed "Born this Way" as " the new gay anthem" when it first came out. "I think she hit it dead on," Young says. She says the song's driving beat is perfect for the dance floor - but moreover, that anyone who has struggled to come to terms with their sexual identity can connect to the lyrics. Tracy Young, a celebrity DJ and a gay woman, plays pride events and gay parties all over the country.