The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA or simply the Y) in Australia is adapting for a new era and has collaborated with Boy George in a new “#whynot?” campaign. There are many issues affecting young people in Australia and the organization is asking the all-important question, “Why not?” with a new crusade. The movement seeks to provide a platform in efforts to amplify the voices of young people and those who desire to speak up for them.
Some Australians cannot marry the person they love, find jobs in their career fields after years of schooling, or have a mental health condition that no one is addressing. The Why Not? Campaign is part of the national conversation between young people and those able to make change for Australian youth. The new crusade aims to shine a light on these issues and bring change.
As the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to helping people and communities learn, grow and thrive, the organization is aiming to empower this generation on another level. The YMCA’s contributions are both far-reaching and intimate—from influencing culture during times of profound social change to the individual support provided for adults learning to read.
The YMCA has established www.whynot.org.au as a platform for young people and their concerns. At the onset, the site will enable and encourage those interested in contacting those in power about the issue(s) they would like addressed. From here, the Y hopes to evolve the site to become a beacon for young people wanting to be heard by society for resources, opportunities to identify issues and work towards solutions. For this massive feat, Boy George joined forces to cover a fresh version of the 70s song “YMCA.”
The organization was not a fan of the original version by The Village People. According to a member of the group, Felipe Rose, “the YMCA wanted to sue the group until they learned they did not own the four letters comprising the Y.M.C.A.” The original song’s gay undertones were mostly missed by the straight community who was too busy dancing and doing the hand gestures to really hear the lyrics. However, this new version, released by Boy George, shares a clear message and for many, will be as if the song is being heard for the very first time.
YMCA Australia took the leap to partner with the well-known musician to re-record the song in support of the Why Not? Campaign. Boy George, born George Alan O’Dowd, is an English singer, songwriter, and fashion designer. He is the lead singer of the Grammy and Brit Award-winning pop band Culture Club. With his creative style of dressing and questions relating to his sexuality, Boy George is no stranger to prejudices and misunderstandings. Known for the international hit song, “Karma Chameleon” the singer has managed to remain true to himself throughout his career.
The Australia YMCAs work together from a base of Christian values to provide opportunities for all people to grow in body, mind, and spirit. Although faith-based, it is not associated with any one church group. The organization did not consult with Christian organizations who oppose marriage equality prior to launching the #whynot? campaign. The CEO of the YMCA in Australia, Melinda Crole, said:
We had a big conversation about how we can be a social movement for young people. One of the assets we had was the recognizable YMCA song. The decision to embrace the song – along with queerness and marriage equality – came from speaking to young people. It was a challenging conversation for us as leaders – the baby boomers and Gen X. We have to let go – it wasn’t about what we thought. It was about the young people. Research shows an overwhelming link between marriage equality and mental health – we are prepared to stand up for that.
Australian young people cannot understand why in 2017 equal rights for all people is still an issue. The YMCA does not view marriage equality as a homosexual issue; instead, it is a matter of equal rights. The Y has always been a champion of equality, diversity, and inclusion, welcoming all people into its diverse range of programs and services across Australia.
The campaign seeks to bridge the ever-growing gap and bring about change. For the new initiative, Boy George covers a fresh and empowering version of “YMCA” for a new generation. Around the globe, the YMCA works to bring social justice and peace to young people and their communities, regardless of religion, race, gender, or culture. Take a listen to Boy George’s remix of the song and contact YMCA Australia for more information on the Why Not? Campaign.
By Cherese Jackson (Virginia)
Sources:
YMCA AU: Why Not? Campaign
Instinct Magazine: Boy George’s Version Of ‘Y.M.CA.’ Is Uplifting And A Must Hear!
YMCA: About Us
Image Credits:
Top Image Courtesy of Eva Rinaldi’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of tonynetone’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Featured Image Courtesy of Peter Dirix’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
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Did you hear that the powers that run this world want to put a RFID microchip in our body? It will contain not only our bank accounts but our personal information, making us total slaves to the elite. This will cause us to lose even more of our privacy.
Did you know that this RFID microchip matches perfectly with the Mark of the Beast in the Bible, more specifically Revelation 13:16-18?
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name…”
Referring to the last days, this could only be speaking of a cashless society, which we have yet to see, but are heading towards. Otherwise, we could still buy or sell without the mark amongst others if physical money was still currency. It’s amazing that the Bible foretold a cashless society!
Did you also hear that the Jewish people are in the process of bringing about the Third Temple prophesied in the Bible by the prophet Daniel, Jesus, and Apostle Paul? They deny Jesus as their Messiah and say their Messiah will be revealed to rule the whole world under a one world religion. They are not even hiding this information, but are actually promoting it. You can view videos about this on YouTube.
When Donald Trump made Jerusalem captial of Israel in late December 2017, the Jewish people said this was a big step for them to build this Third Temple. They even printed a Temple coin with president Trump’s face on the front with king Cyrus'(the man who built the Second Temple in the Bible) face behind him. On the back of the coin is an image of the Third Temple. They are selling these coins to raise money to build the Temple.
People have been saying for many years that the end is near, but we needed not only the Third Temple, but also the technology for there to be a cashless society for the Mark of the Beast to be a reality.
There is much more to know, please visit http://WWW.BIBLEFREEDOM.COM to see all the proof!
GOD BLESS, JESUS LOVES YOU!
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