Macklemore said of the song: "It is a message of equality, tolerance and compassion to end homophobia, fear and hatred that has been an institution here in America.
The implicit homophobia underlying these messages sends an alarming signal to any astute observer that homosexuality is simply not normal and homosexuals do not have any place with children.
There was an ideological component to the partnership, given the increasing social conservatism of the Russian elite – homophobia, anti-immigration, opposition to the EU, anti-Americanism.
Human rights groups have blamed a 2013 Russian law against "gay propaganda" for increasing homophobia.
But it was also a world of repression, pointless hierarchies, sexism, racism and absolutely rampant homophobia.
When the cops investigate and lawyers prosecute something as a hate crime, it teaches us quite the opposite: that we cannot afford to ignore systems like racism and homophobia – that we will not, officially.
It's a gap that exposes homophobia as not just something that makes someone drag you behind a truck, but as a sickness that can make someone kiss and then kill – simply because someone didn't want their secret to get out.
This is linked to the false notion that homosexuality is unAfrican and, therefore that homophobia isn't.
For the left, the inflammatory accusations are sexism, homophobia and racism – alongside the newer charges of transphobia and "whorephobia".
Numerous Ukip members have also been caught up in homophobia scandals, including a councillor who blamed the winter floods of 2013-14 on the passage of same-sex marriage laws.
There's a whole host of other Pillars of Society, too: community workers; activists who dedicate their lives to fighting racism, sexism and homophobia; trade union reps who fight the corner of workers in the workplace; those who fight for the sick and disabled; volunteers and charity workers; and those who show great bravery or commit great sacrifices for others.
