Village People in Standoff Over 'Y.M.C.A.' Being a Queer Anthem

Adding to not-so-subtle gay subtext to the song was that when it came to filming the "Y.M.C.A." video, amongst the locations the group used to were the West Side docks (a notorious queer cruising area), and outside the Ramrod, one of the city's leading leather bars. Whether Willis knew the implications of these locations, he didn't mention it at the time or even later.

Over the weekend Hodo took issue with Willis's complaints in posts to Facebook, reports Stereogum. First, he cited Jacques Morali's crucial role in forming the group's aesthetic and subtexts. "Morali was gay, he died of AIDS in 1991, and he assembled the Village People to represent flamboyant gay fantasy characters.

"According to Hodo," the Stereogum article continues, "Morali was expressly inspired to write the song by interactions with gay porn stars who worked out at the YMCA. Hodo also disputes Willis' take that 'YMCA' has endured because of great songwriting and not the accompanying dance, developed on American Bandstand."

Hodo wrote on Facebook and on X: "Just to be clear, there would be no YMCA song without Jacques Morali. He came up with the hook, as he did with all the VP music, after Randy Jones took him to a YMCA and introduced him to several gay porn stars who worked out there. It's only slightly nauseating to hear Willis speak as though he were a Stephen Sondheim. YMCA would have disappeared from the charts for good had it not been for the fact that the kids from American Bandstand came up with the arm movements. That silly little dance is why this song has endured, not the 'brilliant' song writing."

A catty response from Willis followed. "Well, well, well, what have we here. David Hodo comes out his hole to comment on me and my writing partner Jacques Morali. First of all David, Jacques hated you and you know it. So I wouldn't put much stock in whatever you have to say about me and Jacques. Therefore, back in your hole before I crush you again, you replacement (non-original) Village People member who has lied for years that you're an original. The original construction worker is Mark Mussler (RIP) and don't you forget it."

He added: "Looks like we got a macho man over here!"

Willis has actually been at war with Hodo for years, and in another dishy Facebook post in 2020 he blamed Hodo for the demise of the group. "This scene with David Hodo's terrible voice single handedly ended Village People in 1980. Worst scene and worst voice ever in a motion picture. Over the top and fabulous? Believe it or not, David Hodo thought he could take my place in Village People as lead singer, lol..."

The video he posts as proof is Hodo singing "I Love You to Death" from the group's disastrous foray into movies, "Can't Stop the Music," released in 1980, just as the Disco bubble burst. No one went to see the film that not only featured the Village People but Caitlyn Jenner, coming off Olympic stardom, as the film's male romantic lead. In 1980, "Can't Stop the Music" had the distinction of having inspired John J.B. Wilson to invent the Golden Raspberry Awards when he saw the film on a double-bill with "Xanadu." In 1981 the film received seven nominations, including one for Jenner as Worst Actor. He lost to Neil Diamond ("The Jazz Singer"), but "Can't Stop the Music" did win the big prize – Worst Picture, as well as Worst Screenplay.