Gay Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford: “America is still incredibly homophobic”
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Rob Halford, legendary frontman of British heavy metal band Judas Priest, has spoken out candidly about the persistence of homophobia in the United States, describing the country as “still incredibly homophobic” in a new interview.
Speaking on the Queer The Music podcast hosted by Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, Halford, who came out publicly as gay in 1998, expressed his frustration and sadness over the lack of progress in attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. “I’ve lived here for a long time and I’ve seen a lot happen since the ’80s,” he said. “It really gets me angry and upset.”
Some guys will say, ‘I love Judas Priest, but I’m not gay,’... “That still lives with me now to some extent. It might be a fraction, but it’s there.
Despite being one of the most prominent openly gay figures in the heavy metal scene, Halford revealed that he still encounters fans who feel the need to assert their heterosexuality when expressing admiration for Judas Priest. “Some guys will say, ‘I love Judas Priest, but I’m not gay,’” he shared. “That still lives with me now to some extent. It might be a fraction, but it’s there.”
Halford emphasised that music should transcend labels and prejudice. “They shouldn’t care. It’s about what you’re doing. It’s about your art and your craft and your work. That’s all that matters,” he said.
Reflecting on his decision to come out during an MTV interview while promoting his side project 2wo, Halford recalled it was a spontaneous moment. “It was just a pure stream of consciousness… and so it just came into the conversation and that was that,” he said.
The interview comes amid broader concerns about LGBTQ+ rights in the US, particularly following recent political developments. Halford, who maintains homes in both the UK and the US, continues to be a vocal advocate for inclusivity within the music industry and beyond.
