The world did not keel over in shock when, leading up to the Boyzone split, Stephen came out. His release of his first solo single ‘New Beginning’ was an open declaration to all that he was prepared to be open about it, and this was met with deserved approval, and maybe just a touch of, “So? You’re gay; we guessed. Is it a big deal?” One can always count on The Sun to hype things up beyond all rational reaction, but apart from them, the world just shrugged and moved on.

Now, with their new release of the single ‘Better’, some bright spark video producer came up with the idea of having each band member filmed with a significant other, gazing deep into each other’s eyes and looking lip-tremblingly emotional. Then, presumably, someone else realised that if they didn’t want to come across as complete morons – lying morons, at that – Stephen Gately’s other half would have to be male. Cue the employment of five actors to come in and be Boyzone’s partners for a day. And apparently, Boyzone are the first boyband ever to feature a gay couple.

What? Isn’t that sort of overdue? I mean, even the Spice Girls had a gay couple on their ‘2 becomes 1’ video. Christina Aguilera handled just about every touchy subject of that ilk on the video for ‘Beautiful’. So honestly, no boyband has ever featured a gay couple? Shame on them. Shame on them all.

And actually, as painfully politically correct as the video in question sounds, it’s not. It’s actually rather nice, if you can stomach boybands in general. It’s definitely not soppy enough to make you throw up, unlike some other Boyzone hits I could mention. Tastefully handled altogether, I have to say. Well played, Team Boyzone.

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mhDC6k7dx00

 

 

 

 

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