Victor Willis, the iconic lead singer of the Village People, has publicly urged media outlets to refrain from labeling his band’s legendary 1978 hit “Y.M.C.A.” as a “gay anthem.” In an extensive post on Facebook, Willis, who was known for his theatrical performances dressed as a police officer, delved into the rich history of the famous song and its cultural implications.

“There’s been considerable discussion recently, particularly in the media, suggesting that ‘Y.M.C.A.’ serves as a gay anthem,” Willis stated emphatically. “I’ve reiterated numerous times that this assumption is misguided, primarily because my musical co-writer identified as gay, and while some members of Village People were indeed gay, the first album was fundamentally centered around the broader aspects of urban gay life.”

Willis further clarified that he was completely unaware of YMCA’s reputation as a social spot for the gay community when he penned the lyrics to the song.

“I wrote ‘Y.M.C.A.’ based on my personal experiences and knowledge of the YMCAs in urban areas like San Francisco, focusing on activities like swimming, basketball, running tracks, and enjoying affordable meals and lodging,” he elaborated. “When I refer to ‘hanging out with all the boys,’ this simply reflects the vernacular of 1970s black culture, describing groups of black men gathering for sports, gaming, or socializing—there’s nothing inherently gay about that.”

In a strong stance against this ongoing misrepresentation, Willis threatened legal action against media outlets that continue to categorize “Y.M.C.A.” as a gay anthem.

“Starting in January 2025, my wife will initiate lawsuits against every news organization that inaccurately refers to ‘Y.M.C.A.’ in their headlines or within the body of their articles as a gay anthem, as such claims are purely based on misinterpretations of the song’s lyrics,” declared Willis, emphasizing that these insinuations are “defamatory and damaging” to the song’s legacy.

Victor Willis Expresses Gratitude to Donald Trump for Featuring ‘Y.M.C.A.’ at Rallies

In another segment of his detailed Facebook post, Willis discussed the controversial use of “Y.M.C.A.” at rallies held by Donald Trump.

“Since the year 2020, I’ve received an overwhelming number of complaints—over a thousand—regarding President Elect Trump’s use of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ As a result of this feedback, I felt compelled to request that the President Elect cease using the song, as it had started to become a source of irritation for me,” Willis shared. However, his position softened as he observed other artists opting not to allow the polarizing politician to utilize their music.

“I simply couldn’t bring myself to prevent him from using my song, especially considering so many other artists were withdrawing their songs from his political campaigns,” Willis explained. He also noted that Trump’s affinity for “Y.M.C.A.” has inadvertently resulted in a significant financial benefit for him.

“It’s estimated that ‘Y.M.C.A.’ has generated several million dollars in revenue since the President Elect began using the track,” he revealed. “Thus, I am thankful that I allowed the President Elect to continue using ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and express my gratitude for his choice to feature my song.”