v/a- STRONG LOVE: Songs of Gay Liberation 1972-1981 LP

Some of the songs are saccharine. Take joyful opener “A Gay Song” by Everyone Involved, sung by people affirming the goodness of being gay. Folkie, Charlie Murphy, on “A Gay Spirit,” croons about outlawed desire sweeping the land, moving humanity from repression and hatred toward authenticity and love. The International Gay Society’s soulful song “Stand Up for Your Rights,” could soundtrack any gay liberation protest. And soul singer Blackberri affirms queer desire with a tinge of gospel on “It’s Okay,” while Smokey’s “Strong Love” is a Doors-influenced ballad with a gang-vocal chorus born from the sounds of street protests.

Other autobiographical songs include Cohen’s tragic “Evil and Lusty,” chronicling his escape from evangelical coercion toward self-love; Steven Grossman’s “Out,” an empathetic message to his homophobic parents; and Conan’s “Tell Ol’ Anita,” a gentle love song making actress Anita Bryant’s media-grabbing hatemongering look downright absurd in the face of Conan’s sweet love.

A few numbers are scandalous and funny. Scrumby and Martin’s “Hots for a Hustler” is a torch song telling the story of a man crushing on a hustler, cruising parks, only to suffer from poison oak.Lavender Country’s twangy “Cryin’ These Cocksucking Tears” is a campy Hank Willams-tinted ode of anguish by a band that continues to perform today.