George Alan O’Dowd, better known as Boy George, has been a queer icon since the early 1980s. Even then, he deliberately presented Androgyn and caused a sensation. Now he has commented on identity policy.
Recommendations of the editorial team
What he finds problematic
In a new interview with the “Times” of July 11, the 64-year-old explains what his problem is with today’s identity policy of the queer community. Among other things, he says that it is problematic to reduce people to certain characteristics: “I don’t think it has helped someone. We are not a thing. It is like: ‘So are black, that’s how Jews are, so are trans people’. No! Everyone is diverse, because nobody is like the other, so you go from a wrong perspective.”
Focus on trans people
Boy George sees a difference between what happens on the Internet and what happens in reality. He expresses the view that trans people have become hate for the new targets. At the same time, he keeps asking the question of how many transpens would actually be met in everyday life. In his view, reality differed significantly from what is visible online. The Internet is often cruel and full of anger, while the real world looks very different. In reality, in his opinion there is no reason for fear.
Attack on JK Rowling
Only in June Boy George reacted to a provocative question from author JK Rowling. This has already shared publicly hostile views several times. Finally, Rowling asked which rights would be taken. George replied: “The right to be left alone – by a rich, bored tyranny!”
Resuscitation of musical “Taboo”
The singer is currently considering reviving his musical “Taboo”. It tells of the hedonistic nightclub of the 1980s of the same name, founded by the Australian performance artist and club promoter Leigh Bowery, whose eccentric appearances inspired a young boy George. In 2002 the musical was nominated for a Tony Award.