Why I hate "I Kissed a Girl"

kgranju — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:43:00 GMT

It's been the earworm that won't let go, that song-of-the-summer, "I Kissed A Girl" by formerly Christian pop-tart Katy Perry.

This was never the way I planned
Not my intention
I got so brave, drink in hand
Lost my discretion

It's not what
I'm used to
Just wanna try u on
I'm curious for you
Caught my attention

(CHORUS)
I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chapstick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it
I liked it

(V2)
No I don't even know your name
It doesn't matter
You're my expiramental game
Just human nature

It's not what
Good girls do
Not how they should behave
My head gets
So confused
Hard to obey

(CHORUS)
I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chapstick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it
I liked it

Can I just tell you how much I haaaaaate this song? It's apparently got kids all over the country flirting with the idea of same-sex experimentation, but rather than making teenagers more accepting, I fear it actually trivializes the issue in a very negative way. The song makes being gay sound like something a teenager just tries on for fun, like a new hair color.

In the homophobic culture we live in, gay teenagers continue to struggle. They struggle with acceptance and self identity. High school itself is a real minefield for these kids, many of whom are harassed and bullied. The song, which is so wildly popular with teens and even 'tweens, characterizes being gay as a choice, and as a choice that's more than a little dirty and rebellious. It's none of those things.

I hate this song so much that whenever it comes on in the car now, my kids are as likely to turn the radio dial as I am - not because they, too dislike the song, but because they don't want to risk having to listen to another Katy-Perry-inspired lecture from me on the evils of homophobia.

Home/Work : Homophobia

Why I hate "I Kissed a Girl"