The new music video for the remix of my gay anthem, "Boyfriend," is dedicated to the two judges on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Stephen Reinhardt and Judge Michael Daly Hawkins, who had the courage to rule in favor of equality and same-sex marriage earlier this week. Thank you for allowing all people to have the right to live together as a family, and love openly and legally.
Originally, the label planned to premiere the "Boyfriend" video on Valentine's Day as we prepare for the worldwide release of my solo debut LP, Kaya, this April -- but once the Prop 8 ruling was delivered, I decided to celebrate the historic news with an early release of my video. Of all the music I've recorded to date, "Boyfriend" remains the most personal for many reasons. As California's 2008 voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage took its toll, those of us who truly believe that all people deserve to love and be loved responded to the urgent call of duty. In the years since, I have been humbled after meeting so many people who have committed their entire lives to the front lines of the fight for equality; they are the true American heroes who never lost faith that the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals would agree that Prop 8 lessened "the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians."
Filming the "Boyfriend" video last month was not only fun but deeply satisfying, because the creative team involved, including director Davy Duhamel, fashion designer Traver Rains, and supermodel Ngo Okafor, were there in response to their calls of duty. Collectively, we considered the impact that this piece of art could have as the war against "Protect Marriage" wages on. In response to their bigoted, conservative agenda, we decided to push the envelope -- and the rejection of Prop 8 by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinforced our decision to do so. Judge Stephen Reinhardt and Judge Michael Daly Hawkins interpreted the law as it was written to protect each and every one of us. My "Boyfriend" music video is for them.
As for Judge N. Randy Smith, who dissented in the spirit of the Bush administration, his arguments in favor of Prop 8 are reminders of our country's darkest hour, during which he was appointed. Despite his references to "incest" and "bestiality," Judge N. Randy Smith is invited into the bedroom of my "Boyfriend" at any time -- he just may learn what real love is truly about.
Below are sneak peeks of my new "Boyfriend" video:
For additional information and to view the "Boyfriend" music video in its entirety, please visit kayajones.com. The release is now available on iTunes, and Kaya will be available worldwide on April 3, 2012.