| Mr.Jingles 14.07.2004 14:00 |
After reading the topic about things that embarass you about Queen, the "gay" topic obviously surfaced. I can see that some people here (mostly in the U.S.) have been made fun of for being fans of what some people consider a "gay band". My question is... how is Queen seen in the country where you guys live? Are they considered a legendary band who hasn't lost any respect despite having a homosexual lead singer? Or unlike the States they're just seen as a 70s band that lost it's popularity for having a gay frontman? I lived in Colombia for 17 years and I never saw anyone being made fun of for liking Queen. On the contrary, Queen is a very well respected band by pretty much everybody and is considered one of greatest bands ever. Despite Freddie's well known sexual preferences, this hasn't changed the perception that people has of the band nor diminished their image. I believe that same image of Queen is the same in just about every country in Latin America. |
| deleted user 14.07.2004 15:43 |
Same here in Bavaria (probably the same elsewhere in the federal republic; TV-coverage about them is usually rather positive). Can't remember ever being ridiculed for liking them. Of course, there are folks who don't like them (one of my friends at school didn't), but those comments hardly ever refer to sexuality. Apart from that the band is generally acclaimed and respected and people usually nod with a positive gesture of acknowledgement when you tell them that you're a huge fan. That's how I experience it, at least. |
| Janet 14.07.2004 15:55 |
I have been a fan of Queen since 1975, I am in Cleveland Ohio in the States, and I have never been rediculed, nor have I ever heard anyone being rediculed for liking Queen, nor had I ever heard them being referred to as a "gay" band until I found this message board in '97. In fact, when Queen toured here during my high school days, they were in the top 5 or so bands that everyone wanted to see. There is even a section in my high school yearbook called "Where YOU there?" Featuring all the hot concerts of that year. Queen/Freddie are actually displayed in my yearbook. :-) |
| Farlander 14.07.2004 17:06 |
I don't think the impression of them as a "gay band" had anything to do with Freddie's actual gayness (or bisexualness or whatever). I think they took the well known fact that Freddie was gay and attribute some of the more artistic or wacky things about the group or Freddie in particular to it, when in reality, it had nothing directly to do with it. This makes sense; Freddie never made a big deal about his sexual...preferences to the public. Frankly, a lot of English stuff seems gay to Americans. I'm always having to ask people, "Is that guy gay or just English?" It really is hard to tell sometimes, because English men seem so much more effeminate than American men. The accent, for one thing, but also the mannerisms and language. It's just the differences in the two cultures, really, but it alters perceptions sometimes. |
| The Real Wizard 14.07.2004 17:53 |
Oh yeah... in the US and Canadian general public, any gay artist is ridiculed. It's the homophobic nature of our society here, unfortunately. |
| Farlander 14.07.2004 19:11 |
I don't think that's really true. In fact, it's just the opposite. The American public eats up gay stuff. Otherwise shows like "Queer Eye for the Striaght Guy" and "Will and Grace" wouldn't do so well. |
| Ramses 14.07.2004 19:40 |
Interesting topic. I've been (jokingly) ridiculed several times when I tell my friends I like Queen, though "gay" is the trendy insult nowadays it seems. I think they primarily look at the band's name, see it's four men and assume they are all gay. Freddie was also quite...flamboyant is the word I guess...from what I have seen. His outfits in the 70's added fuel to their fire, I think also. His death is another thing, I think, people use as fuel for their viewpoint. He had AIDS, and an exhuberant lifestyle. I suppose people just make rash assumptions about the band. It's a shame, as I mentioned in another post, that the US never embraced Queen as much as the rest of the world (Did Bo Rhap EVER make it to # 1 in the US??). But I don't think it's because of the sexuality issue. I mean, Mick Jagger was also quite flamboyant, yet the US loves the Stones. Go figure! Then again, the "gay" notion associated with Queen could just be the result of ignorance and detachement from the band's existence. It's funny - my two favorite bands are Queen and the Rolling Stones. My friends are fond of reminding me, "Oh, so you like bands that have half naked old men dancing around???" LOL |
| Whatinthewhatthe? 14.07.2004 21:33 |
Hmmmmmmmm........... Like Janet, I'm a longtime fan too (since 1973, KYA) and never thought anything about the "gay connection". I LOVED Freddie and his hot, feline look in the black leotard. I loved the other members too -- probably helped that I had a boyfriend who was a Brian May clone, but I was hooked tight after I heard KYA and best thing of all had friends who loved Queen as well. (And I live in the SOUTH!!) I loved the campiness that Freddie provided on some songs, onstage and off. I loved the band as a whole and looked forward to the next album and concert (I miss that!!). Nothing has changed in thirty-one years except that they don't tour and release albums...and Freddie's gone, of course, but I keep Queen alive by listening to their music and watching their concerts and videos on DVD. And buying everything I can get my hands on! (LOL) |
| FriedChicken 14.07.2004 21:52 |
never considered as a gay band here in Holland. Never got replies like 'they were gay' when i say i like Queen |
| lottie88 14.07.2004 22:08 |
I live in America, in the northern/midwestern region. I have found that when I discuss Queen with people that are knowledgeable when it comes to their music and acheivments, I get a good response, and they don't mention that Freddie was gay. However, when I talk to other people who only have a sketchy idea of Queen and their incredible work, I do tend to get negative responses pertaining Freddie's sexuality. In Michigan, where I live, people who are gay can be both loved and hated at the same time. It is sad and unfortunate that much of today's society cannot see Queen for what they were and still are, rock greats. |
| Daburcor? 14.07.2004 22:12 |
Janet wrote: I have been a fan of Queen since 1975, I am in Cleveland Ohio in the States, and I have never been rediculed, nor have I ever heard anyone being rediculed for liking Queen, nor had I ever heard them being referred to as a "gay" band until I found this message board in '97.You need only speak to my Dad ONE time. ;) |
| iGSM 14.07.2004 23:11 |
Well it's not a case of being gay when I mention Queen i.e. 'Queen? They're gay!' but whenever someone asks what type of bands I listen to and Queen comes up people often ask 'Is that the band with the gay guy?' which pisses me a bit. More often than not though it's usually 'Queen? They rock!' I still get jostled from my friends for liking a 'gay lead band'. Mind you the bloke who jostles me the most is a fan on Queer Eye so you never know. |
| Brandon 14.07.2004 23:28 |
Farlander wrote: I don't think that's really true. In fact, it's just the opposite. The American public eats up gay stuff. Otherwise shows like "Queer Eye for the Striaght Guy" and "Will and Grace" wouldn't do so well.Thank you, Farlander. The stereotyping of America being homophobic is a real disservice to all of us who could care less about sexual orientation. Yes there ARE people in the US who have negative views of homosexuality. However, these people exist everywhere. It seems to me that the US gets hammered for crimes for which all countries are guilty. It's bogus and, as a wise man once said, "it's a cop out!" These statements are as ignorant as the homophobic individuals themselves. Let me state for the record: I am from Alabama. I am not racist. I am not homphobic. Nor are any of my friends or family. Therefor, any generalisation made to the contrary is a lie, pure and simple. Also, I have never heard any disparaging remarks when I mention I like Queen. Sometimes I get confused looks but not homophobic remarks. |
| Farlander 14.07.2004 23:41 |
Yes, and there is also a difference between people who have a moral objection to homosexual acts and those who persecute homosexuals. Just because someone considers homosexual acts immoral, is against gay marriage, etc., that doesn't make him hateful toward homosexuals. But there are a lot of really touchy people who lump them in with the hateful people. In the United States, you will surely find both views, as I'm sure you will anywhere. But sticking it to America whenever possible is rapidly gaining on soccer (or should I say "football") as the world's favorite past time. |
| frejorobri 15.07.2004 03:52 |
I live in the U.S. in the Pacific Northwest. When I talk about my love for Queen most people agree they were/are one of the best bands ever,but when I mention Freddie Mercury by name,most people around here say,"Who is that?" People around here just don't know - it's crazy. |
| SergeantPepperDG 15.07.2004 08:52 |
Gr... yesterday I was showing my friend some Queen music videos, and she was very impressed and she said, "Wow, I just thought Queen was just some gay band with guys with high-pitched voices." That made me really mad. |
| geeksandgeeks 15.07.2004 11:23 |
The folks in my itty-bitty hometown(s) realize by now that I am too far gone into the world of sin and vice to save me, and usually leave me alone about Queen, REM, Slade, etc. Which is fine with me. |
| Queen_Bee_16 15.07.2004 12:20 |
I live in the US and i am pretty much the only person in northeast Alabama that has the most appreciation for Queen. I try to tell ppl when they ask me "weren't they gay? and didn't they dress like women?" i tell them it doesn't matter to me whether they did or not, i am in love with their music! not their appearance. And anytime i mention Queen to just about anyone here they consider the whole band gay. grr, it makes me angry. |
| MexQueenFM 15.07.2004 12:42 |
In Mexico, the people that do know them, think they are one of the best bands ever, and they don't make fun of Freddie's gayness, nobody has made fun of me here in the US, if they do, I'll kick their ass :) |
| jess_fandango 15.07.2004 12:46 |
I'm from Canada, and many people assume that all the members of Queen are gay, but they don't seem to look at it in a negative way, they just think it's kind of funny. But, surprisingly, the reaction I get most often when I say I'm a fan of Queen is "Who are they?" |
| Krizzy 15.07.2004 12:58 |
As years go by and the gay lifestyle is more acceptable by society especially in America. Queen will be more accepted by America and the world and like fine wine they will get better with age. Freddie was ahead of his time as far as being bold on stage with his gay/homoerotic messages. (Remember the red sequin number in Tokyo 1979, folks!) They have proved time and again that they are timeless. Kriz ;o) |
| Into La Ment 15.07.2004 17:16 |
If I'm honest, I have to say I never considered them a 'gay' group as I was growing up, and do not to this day. Despite the fact that I was fully aware of Freddie's sexuality, it's just never seemed that much of a big deal. It was only when I became pretty much devout, and started visiting various sites such as this one, that the fact this opinion even existed was brought to my attention. Though, saying that, when attempting to discuss them with my father, he will always, without fail, divert the topic away from the music, and onto the topic of Freddie and his personal life. Such discussions are normally terminated with my father branding him a 'lunatic', and I either storming off, or simply ignoring him for the rest of the day. (Please note that the 'lunatic' thing is not even simply Freddie-specific. He does that with practically every artist I like. Even when he should be more than aware of what my reaction will be every time. Stupid man.) Anyways... I am rather going off topic here. |