We all knew. I was 12 in 1980 and none of us gave a sh‐-t. We loved the music and the band. I don't think metal population is homophobic

I don't care if he's gay. I just appreciate his vocal skills

lots of people on here claiming that "they knew" way back then when they were age 9 -10 -11-12 etc. that he was gay.... so how in the hell did these people "just know" that Rob was gay ? and especially in the early 80's.. things were a whole lot different back then and in a lot of different ways..it's just not that simple....i am 53 years old and was a huge JP fan... the thought of him being gay back then would have and did not ever cross my mind when i was a pre-teenager.i do not remember anyone ever even talking about that subject unless it was in a bad and or a negative way...i do not even those kind of things were on my radar at those ages especially during those years.. it just does not seem logical to me that people can just say so easily and without a doubt that they knew about things like that and were educated and in tune at that time about someone's choice about sexuality and so much to the point that they just did not care... and anyway it was just about "the music" so who cares ..right?...and also remember this is from a time when there was no such thing as the internet or really even much cable-tv ...and so most if not all information about metal musicians and or bands came from some crappy metal mag like "circus" or "hit parader" or whatever.. and probably any other information mostly came from gossip and silly rumors... so your going to say that when you were at that age that it was just intuition or instinct that you had for some un-explained reason and or that somehow without a doubt a person just knew about his sexual preference and what-not. and just simply did not care ... but ..whatever.. they just knew... give me a break...

I first heard of Judas Priest in 1979 when I was 9. This was the music that was to define me. In 1980 I saw Flash Gordon with Queen. I saw the movie because of the music. We all knew Rob was gay. We all knew Freddie was gay. We didn't care. The problem with me at 52 is in the early 80's I determined what I thought of you depended on what style of music you played. If you were a band member of Culture Club you were fair game to be ridiculed. I have years under me to know I was immature. But I'm older now and I know I haven't the foggiest of clues as to know how to figure out MY world let alone someone else's. God bless.

This is fantastic Jeremy… very nice discussion!

I knew early on from older siblings .. that Rob halford and the Freddy from queen was “gay”.. we love the music don’t give a chit about preferences.. We all just wanna rock out 💯🤘.. metal love and love for metal is for all who want to hear it 💯❤️🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

Rob is a heavy metal legend!

Rob’s the man. Idk who could be homophobic after listening to Painkiller

Thanks Rob for all the great music over the years. Rob's choices are his choices why should others care... Keep rocking....

Thanks Rob for the excellent rock’n’roll been a fan since 79 🤘🤘

It could have destroyed the band , glad those days are in the past! Long Live the God of Metal!!!!!!

I didn't know he had released an autobiography. I gotta get it! Legend. Support lgbt+representation in metal. Metal is the best!

*looks around cautiously and whispers* We ALL knew and we never gaf about sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, etc. That's just how epic TRUE metal fans are. There was once an article with Judas Priest in Playboy in the early 80s, complete with photos of the band with a naked girl on a bed. Every member had a handful of her bits and pieces except for Rob. He was hardly touching her and looked a little uncomfortable 😆 🤘Rock on, brother Halford

I’ve been out as bi since I was 14 and I’m in my 30’s now. My experience in real life and online can be summed up pretty easily. In real life I got overwhelming support, or the simple ok from most of my friends and family. Some people had an issue with it but it was a minority of people and no one ever said anything to my face. The process of finding out was natural. I always knew and once I had a real understanding around 14 I couldn’t deny it. Online I’ve been called every insult under the sun. It’s so much easier to say whatever you want for any reason online. Someone can not have an issue with someone being gay or bi in real life, but online you can be an ass for the sake of it. Some people finally get to say what they really want to say with very little real consequence (I don’t consider someone losing a social media account a negative thing, when they can easily make a new one and would probably be better off without it.) Metal is no more homophobic than rap. As someone who loves both genres, the reason why they have people who are homophobic is because some people are just homophobic. But it’s gotten better and it will get better, and the internet will still be a place that someone calls you a faggot while they’re listening to painkiller and have a poster of Freddy mercury on their bedroom wall. Just how life is.

I was a teen metal head back in the 80s. Amongst my little cadre of fellow metal heads we would for sure make fun of gay people amongst ourselves. But that was mostly a dumb teen face saving thing. If we ever met Halford in the flesh we would have been completely respectful and star struck. We would have been respectful to any adult gay person. We actually used to hang out sometimes at this older gay guys place cause he’d let us drink beers and smoke weed there. The whole “homophobia” thing with teens is just teen boys going through puberty and trying to prove their maleness”. It’s all very Beavis and Butthead. There was never anything nefarious about it.

I remember when Rob came out. People acted so surprised. I couldn’t believe so many of my friends couldn’t see it! They would co e up to me and say “Dude! Did you hear? Rob Halford is gay!” I would look at them in disbelief that they never saw it and I would say “Well duh!!” I’m a straight white conservative male. Always have been. (a minority these days! 😂) and that made me love his singing and made me an even bigger fan than I already was! Metal is all about going against the “norm” and not conforming to “group think”. And back then, you couldn’t get anymore against the norm and more metal than being a metal musician and coming out. It’s like a huge middle finger! Hell, it seems most of my favorite singers are gay. David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Rob Halford, and one of my all time favorites dUg Pinnick of Kings X.

It was cool of you to offer up that you've had some bi experience, too, Jeremy. Rob seems really down to earth - glad he doesn't have to live with that unnecessary stress and shame anymore.

After clause 28 in the uk (1988) you could be arrested for soliciting (same law they arrest prostitutes) by chatting up another gay man in public . . .

fuck ya opposite man we love you rob i cant die till i meet you lol

People are People Apples 🍎 and Oranges 🍊

I knew he was gay back in 86 he asked my friend to go up to hotel room in Montreal 🇨🇦

I’m 63 now and never heard any back lash on Rob back then. People that were into music loved the music and musisians. Going to concerts back then were great with raw talent. Now it’s like copies of what use to be. And paying ungodly prices when we payed 12.00 . Todays times are very judgmental and separated. Back then, it was all about the music and only music.

Look, I like Queen, and I think that everyone knew that Freddy Mercury was gay. Who the hell cares?

I absolutely do not care if he is gay he deserves so much love he should not have gone through any of what he went through Just for coming out.

Metal god.

If the music is good it eclipses all else. Elton John, Priest, Queen, Little Richard on and on... It was the music!

I remember when he came out. Nobody gave a sh*t XD

Really weird, never saw the metal community as homophobic at all...

Teenager in the 80’s. We knew he was gay and we never cared.

I started listening to Priest in the early 80's. We all knew Rob was gay.. And nobody cared. He is the Metal God!

Why can't someone ask him about raping Jani from Warrant?

and sry im not close minded i can tell you are young ive been a metal head for 50 yrs and we accept all that want to go down the metal rabbit whole

Gay or straight .. we don’t give any who the fuck cares .. Halford is the “ metal god “ .. to metal fans .. we don’t care about sexuality…

In general, I don’t believe that the metal community is homophobic. I believe there is a handful of people within that community that have not evolved with the times and are very insecure. It really shouldn’t matter who you are; live, let live, and keep your comments to yourself

I think there is no one who likes your band but hates your identity. The real fans like your voice, energy and the music you all produce together. There may be some exceptions but those are just some insignificant outliers.

It seemed pretty obvious to me that Rob was and is Gay. Remember the blue oyster club in the movie Police academy? Nobody cared because Judas Priest rocked.

It wasn't a big surprise to me the way he dressed on stage was a big giveaway. So many rockstars were openly gay back the and nobody gave a shit as long as they were talented

I don't think the metal community is necessarily homophobic at all. Everyone was fine with Rob or any buddy else's sexual preferences

i dont think were homophobic at all metal accepts everyone thats the whole idea up the irons

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I wanna say if “ gay “ is sissy .. please explain .. “ pain killer “ .. the greasiest trash song ever recorded

This host….eh

Son unos YOURGIRLS.Uno de los mejoresy conciertos Mañas no 8 se l 💯💞😍