Then, when Trump moved to ban all trans-identifying persons from service in all branches of the military in July of 2017, Wrabel pushed to have the song, and its accompanying music video, released - as a further act of solidarity with the trans community in their time of suffering.
The video opens with these words: “In nature, a flock will attack any bird that is more colorful than the others because being different is seen as a threat.”
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With utter contempt and disregard for any and everything she was supposed to be, Big Mama broke every rule and pushed every boundary, tearing down gender norms and all expectations of what women, and particularly Black women, were expected to be as she took command of her music, her image, and the stage, as a force to be reckoned with.
If the so-called right-side-up world just doesn’t have space for gay love, then he’s living in a world that’s upside down…
And he’s loving it.
The smash success, now widely considered the greatest World Cup Anthem of all-time, not only elevated the gay icon to worldwide pop-superstardom, but changed the music world forever: Igniting the subsequent Latin explosion in popular music worldwide.
On the day of her coming out, Joy Oladokun - one of music’s most prolific, acclaimed, and exciting young singer-songwriters - penned the beautifully gut-wrenching words to “Jordan,” which describe her liberation from the spiritual abuses that held power over her, and into the redemption of her lover - who rescued her from drowning, and breathed new life, faith, and hope into her weary soul. In “Jordan,” Oladokun is able to so delicately and so brilliantly expose the bitter root of toxic religion, and the harm it inflicts upon Queer persons. The irony drips so vividly from the baptism as drowning metaphor. The weight is so intense from the shackles issued in the name of the “good” Lord. But “Jordan” is not a song about death. It’s a song about life. Fullness. Beauty. Rescue. Embrace. And in a stunningly beautiful redemption and reclamation of faith and hope, Joy petitions God’s blessing upon the love and life that her and her lover have found, and are building together. “Now we're building our own promised land On this new ground we stand God bless the work of our hands And make good on our plans 'Cause now I've found love There's no turning back Oh-oh-oh-oh.” Salvation is love. Salvation is embrace. Like Joy, you may have been looking for hope, looking for love, looking for salvation, and experienced a hijacking of your soul that left you drowning. But there is hope. Pride is about hope. Pride is love. Pride is embrace in the face of exclusion. Pride is a protest against fear, control, and oppression - in all their forms. You are welcome here. You are loved here. The waters are safe. Make sure to check out the rest of Joy’s brilliant catalog on your favorite streaming platform, grab a copy of “Jordan” on her breathtaking 2021 debut album, “in defense of my own happiness,” OR her BRAND NEW album “Proof of Life,” from your local, independent records store, AND make sure you watch this gorgeous #MTVFreshOut performance of “Jordan” below! |
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AuthorJonathan Bristow - Ascent Creator & Director. 
Jonathan is a queer, recovering pastor, dreamer, seeker, and amplifier in the middle of the mess. Stepping into a lifelong dream in 2021, he created Ascent Radio to offer music lovers a handcrafted radio platform at the intersection of great music and social change. Jonathan lives and breathes music, and believes fiercely in the power of music to draw us together and inspire us toward a better world!
Alongside his work as the Founder and Director of Ascent, he is a freelance writer, and is author of the blog, Finding Jonathan, where he reflects on his journey of simultaneously losing and finding himself all at once, living through trauma, and learning to love and embrace who he is. As a sayer of the words, Jonathan writes content for socially conscious brands, artists and industry professionals. To connect with him about writing on a project that needs beautiful words, connect with him over on his LinkedIn profile, or email at: [email protected]! Archives
July 2025
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