The song "Same Love," by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, discusses the struggles of being gay and coming out of the "closet." Its starts with a newborn named Ben, who is raised in a very masculine manner. However, as he matures, his sexual preference starts to change and becomes harder to tell his parents. As Ben is locked up in his room crying, his mother attempts to communicate with him. Years later after coming out, Ben finds a partner. Still, the situation has not become easier for Ben. It has actually become harder for him due to discrimination against gay people. He cannot even walk down the streets without being reminded of his sexuality. In the end Ben breaks the barriers that keep him from being happy thus, marrying his partner. This story makes us realize the positive and negative consequences of conforming to gender and sexuality expectations due to the ideals of society. .
This song challenges the traditional understanding of gender and sexuality. The video challenges what was meant to be. Two men have decided to join their lives together in the holy matrimony. The societal expectation is for men to marry women and vise versa, not the other way around. This idea that was stated before, impedes human beings to explore and get out of their comfort zones, which is why it has become harder to be oneself. Macklemore states, "A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are." Keeping quiet of one's sexuality, gender, or personality is a form of self-destruction that creates a conflict for gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transgender individuals. Consequently, if one conforms to one's gender role, is a problem because one is not being honest to oneself but if one does not conform is another problem because one is not living up to society's expectations, the expectations that THEY created. In a few lines of the song Macklemore says: 'Have you read the YouTube comments lately? .
