The Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, often referred to as "Gitmo," did not start as a YMCA. However, historical records do indicate that there was a YMCA presence at the base, particularly during World War I. A YMCA building was documented at Guantanamo Bay, serving the needs of military personnel during that period. This indicates that while the property itself began as a naval base, it did have YMCA facilities established there at some point in its history. Additionally, posts on X have humorously noted this historical detail in relation to political figures like Donald Trump, suggesting a connection between his use of the song "YMCA" and the historical presence of a YMCA at Gitmo.
Is that John Durham? You know he's not on the job right? Do you think he's going to send people to Guantanamo? Because if you had a meme that reflected John Durham today he would be hanging at the VFW hall telling war stories. He's done.
Did you not update your thinking when the facts changed?
Historical Connection: There was indeed a YMCA presence at Guantanamo Bay during the early 20th century. Historical records, including vintage postcards and photographs, indicate that a YMCA building existed at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, particularly around the time of World War I. This YMCA served the needs of military personnel stationed there, providing facilities for leisure and morale boosting
Correct. This uneducated dooming noob thinks we believe the Village People made the song 50 years ago because of the YMCA at Gitmo ... Here comes the walls of text to musplain to us ... Reeeeeee. I love fresh meat.
we were leaving a photography session on 23rd Street. Jacques Morali saw the big pink YMCA on 23rd and asked, “What is this YMCA, anyway? “And after laughing at his accent, we told him the Y was a place where you could go when you first came to New York when you didn’t have any money — you can stay there for very little. And of course, someone joked, “Yeah, but don’t bend over in the showers. “And Jacques, bless his heart, said, “I will write a song about this!”
and
I joined the McBurney YMCA on 23rd Street. I took Jacques there three or four times in 1977, and he loved it. He was fascinated by a place where a person could work out with weights, play basketball, swim, take classes, and get a room. Plus, with Jacques being gay, I had a lot of friends I worked out with who were in the adult-film industry, and he was impressed by meeting people he had seen in the videos and magazines. Those visits with me planted a seed in him, and that’s how he got the idea for “Y.M.C.A.” — by literally going to the YMCA.
Very interesting connection. This could be the McD's link I've been wondering about.
👍
Well done qa! 👏
I heard the gitmo property started as a ymca. Anyone have sauce? Would bring a new meaning to, “ gonna meet ya at the ymca” Too funny
Grok:
I'd buy on of those guitars if it were made in GITMO and not in China. :(
MOVIE!!! 🍿🐸
yes
Still hate that song. Hurry up and finish the job.
There's zero connection between the song YMCA and Guantanamo Bay.
u/#noolib u/#jail u/#arrest u/#durham
Is that John Durham? You know he's not on the job right? Do you think he's going to send people to Guantanamo? Because if you had a meme that reflected John Durham today he would be hanging at the VFW hall telling war stories. He's done.
Did you not update your thinking when the facts changed?
Yeah ok
Historical Connection: There was indeed a YMCA presence at Guantanamo Bay during the early 20th century. Historical records, including vintage postcards and photographs, indicate that a YMCA building existed at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, particularly around the time of World War I. This YMCA served the needs of military personnel stationed there, providing facilities for leisure and morale boosting
Correct. This uneducated dooming noob thinks we believe the Village People made the song 50 years ago because of the YMCA at Gitmo ... Here comes the walls of text to musplain to us ... Reeeeeee. I love fresh meat.
So what?
There's a McDonald's in Chubbuck, Idaho. If someone writes A song about McDonald's. That means they know about Chubbuck, Idaho
Or is it more likely, like most Americans, I had never heard of Chubbuck Idaho until I just looked up locations in Idaho.
This may all be true, but why would the songwriter know that.
The song is about having gay sex in YMCAs.
Here's an oral history of the song. The record producer who came up with the idea was a gay Frenchman who never ever heard of a YMCA.
https://www.spin.com/2008/05/ymca-oral-history/
and
Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee