Towleroad flags this interview Eminem did with the New York Times in which he declares his support for marriage equality.
NYT: You've been accused of writing gay-bashing lyrics in the past. Would you like to see gay marriage approved in Michigan, where you live?
EMINEM: I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want.
NYT: Is this the new, 37-year-old tolerant you?
EMINEM: It's the new tolerant me!
As with Wale's appearance at Black Pride DC a few weeks ago, I don't want to lionize Eminem for essentially doing the right thing. What's important here is the trend of high profile emcees making statements like this, which I think suggests Hip-hop culture is moving away from support for institutionalized homophobia. I stress "institutionalized homophobia" because I don't think we're going to see an end to homophobia in rap lyrics, simply because homophobia is simply too tied to the traditional notions of American masculinity that remain dominant in Hip-hop culture.
-- A. Serwer
