‘Obama Boy’ has a crush on the president but isn’t gay

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Just days ago the video ‘Obama Boy’ hit the web, and many are calling it 2012’s answer to ‘Obama Girl.’

The 2008 election’s viral sensation ‘Obama Girl’ featured the often scantily clad model/actress Amber Lee Ettinger, crooning about her “crush” on the then presidential hopeful Barack Obama. And now we have “Obama Boy,” who is creating his own brand of buzz.

The ‘Obama Boy’ video, which has already gained over 100,000 views on YouTube, lasts a little more than three minutes and celebrates President Obama’s embrace of gay marriage, as ‘Obama Boy’ sings out that he has a crush on Obama with lyrics like “I put down my Prop 8 sign. Now I’m gonna make you mine. Progressive, caring, and kind. ‘Cuz I got a crush on Obama. I cannot wait for my soul mate. Barry, you’re the finest candidate. Open, honest, and out. That’s what we’re all about.”

John Duarte, songwriter and director for the video, and Justin Brown, who stars as ‘Obama Boy,’ spoke to theGrio in an exclusive interview to discuss how their project came about.

Duarte, 29, says he was inspired to create the video, which was shot in various locations throughout New York City over the course of three days, after hearing Obama declare his support for marriage equality last month. “The day Obama came out for gay marriage, the idea dawned on me. I was up until 4 a.m. writing the song. I had worked with Justin on another viral video and I called him up and asked him to take part in this project.”

Duarte and Brown, who both identify themselves as heterosexual, feel that the movement to legalize gay marriage is something that straight people can and should take part in too.

“I don’t care if people think that I am gay. I know some people will say that I am closeted or whatever, but that doesn’t bother me,” Brown said. “I support gay marriage and I am comfortable with my sexuality. My girlfriend knows that I am not gay, so it’s cool with me. There are certain Americans that may view gay marriage as a bad thing, but I am not one of those people.”

Brown, 28, who makes his living as an actor and comedian, appearing in independent films and performing in the comic troop Upright Citizen Brigade, says that this particular project hit home for him.

“My two best friends are gay. I have a close friend that grew up with two gay fathers, and she is amazing and her parents’ lifestyle didn’t have a negative effect on her,” he said. “I witnessed a gay couple of 50 years get married and it was amazing. It doesn’t make sense to us. I truly believe anyone our age or younger thinks like us.”

Duarte, who’s parents are very conservative, said he and Brown were Obama supporters during his 2008 campaign, and still are today. They hope that the positive response from their video grows and generates support for the president’s re-election bid.

“We definitely want to make sure we have a positive influence on Obama’s campaign,” said Duarte. “We are Obama supporters and we want to see him get re-elected. We don’t want to negatively impact Obama’s race, we just want this video to be entertaining.”

The pair are hopeful that Obama will soon get a glimpse of their video and enjoy it.

“It would be cool if he even watches it,” Duarte said. “He is the President of United States and very busy. Hopefully he will like the basketball stuff though. I had him in mind when I put it in.”

According to NBC’s Today ‘Obama Girl’ would consider doing a duet with ‘Obama Boy.’ And Brown said he is interested in collaborating with her as well. “Absolutely, I’m down for a duet.”

Follow Chris Witherspoon on Twitter at @WitherspoonC