Writer Clay Cane
sits down with Miss Patti and finds out the diva is
as fun and ballsy as ever.
It wasn’t
always popular to have a gay fan base, but from the very
beginning of Patti LaBelle's career, the
artist embraced the LGBT audience. Her history
with the gays goes back over 40 years, and last March
she was a special honoree at the 18th Annual GLAAD Media
Awards.
Just in time for
the holidays, Patti LaBelle returns with Miss
Patti’s Christmas, in stores now, and Miss
Patti delivers in the 10-track album, complete with her
infectious energy, soul, and voice. This isn’t
your average humdrum Xmas album of ballads and
yuletide greetings. Patti want us to have a good time in
songs like “Christmas Jam,” “Every
Year, Every Christmas,” and the remake of the
1978 Emotions classic “What Do the Lonely Do at
Christmas?”
In a one-on-one
interview, Patti talks of her gay following, the pressure
to be a diva, and wanting a good man.
Why do you think you appeal so much to the gay community?
I guess because they see no prejudice in me and
no judgment. I don't judge you because you love who
you love. I don't judge because of the color that you
are. I don’t judge anything. I'm very honest with gay
people. I’m very honest with calling you out and
saying come up to the front of the stage and let the
audience know that you're gay. You’re breathing
and you're just like them. The only thing that you have is a
different sexual orientation. I'm honest, and most gay
people appreciate that.
At what point in your career did you know you had a
gay following?
I've been in this business for 45
years—I've known for 43 years that I've had a
strong gay following and loved every minute of it.
Was it a certain song or a record?
Well, I knew when Sylvester came out and he was
doing my music. I was with him close to his death -- I
went to his house and he was on his deathbed, so we
were tight. I knew he loved me like crazy. I knew I was
in then -- for Sylvester to love Miss Patti? Yes…
What’s your take on transgender people?
That’s the way they were born -- people
put them through hell! This is the body that they were
born in. They want to get changed into a woman because
that’s who they feel they are. If they can afford it
-- do you think I'm going to read them? Get on their
case? My God, people put too much worry and emphasis
on things that they should not be. Try to worry and
figure out world peace, not the piece that the person has on
them! I’m sick of people! I am, you can say
that too…judging. Everybody’s got to
judge.
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Cane is a writer, and the blogger behind claycane.blogspot.com.