Ozzy Osbourne: The Prince of Darkness who stood proudly for LGBTQ+ rights

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and one of the most iconic figures in rock history, passed away in July 2025 at the age of 76. While he’ll forever be remembered for his electrifying performances and genre-defining music, Osbourne also leaves behind a legacy as a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community.

In the 1980s, as the AIDS epidemic devastated the LGBTQ+ community and public support was scarce, Osbourne took a stand. After a member of his band made homophobic remarks during a concert, Osbourne responded not with silence, but with action - donating to AIDS Long Beach and other LGBTQ+ charities. At a time when many celebrities avoided the issue, his support was both rare and courageous.

Osbourne’s advocacy didn’t stop there. In 2010, when the Westboro Baptist Church used his hit song Crazy Train during one of their anti-LGBTQ+ protests, he publicly condemned the group. “I am sickened and disgusted by the use of Crazy Train to promote messages of hate and evil by a church,” he said. “I do not condone or support any form of discrimination.”

Throughout his five-decade career, Osbourne remained a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. He never claimed to be perfect, but he consistently used his platform to uplift marginalised voices. His actions spoke volumes in an industry and era where such support was far from the norm.

Following his death, tributes poured in from across the LGBTQ+ world. Elton John, a longtime friend, called him “a huge trailblazer” and “one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.” Younger artists like Yungblud, who performed with Osbourne at his farewell concert, praised him for his authenticity and unwavering support.