American rapper Macklemore has been a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, using his platform and music to advocate for equality. In a recent interview with Metro.co.uk, the musician discussed the significant growth in LGBTQ+ acceptance within hip-hop, stating that society is evolving, and people are realizing that hatred and homophobia don’t serve anybody. Macklemore has been a strong voice for LGBTQ+ rights for many years, particularly through his song “Same Love,” which became a hit in 2013. The rapper has also used his platform to advocate for same-sex marriage in Australia in 2017.
Macklemore shared that much of the homophobia and misogyny in hip-hop is rooted in societal conditioning and outdated models of masculinity. He believes that as people begin to question these biases and feel freer to express themselves, acceptance towards the LGBTQ+ community will continue to grow. He noted that no child is born with the idea that same-sex attraction is wrong, and it’s all learned behavior.
“Same Love” was inspired by Macklemore’s gay family members and a news article about a teen who committed suicide after being bullied. The rapper aimed to hold himself and hip-hop accountable for the harm caused by insults used in rap music and denying queer adults the right to marry. The music video for “Same Love” depicted the life of two queer men from childhood to old age, emphasizing the importance of equal rights and love for all.
Macklemore’s advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community extends beyond his music. He believes that much of society’s bigotry and bias stems from interpretations of ancient texts that have been flipped by humans throughout civilization. He advocates for tolerance and radical acceptance of everyone’s life choices, sexual preferences, and identity. For Macklemore, the world is better with more love in it.