Judas Priest’s frontman, Rob Halford, recently opened up about the persistent homophobia in the United States during an episode of Jake Shears’ podcast, Queer The Music.
In response to Shears, who asked if he believed attitudes toward sexuality had shifted since he came out as gay on MTV in 1998, the 74-year-old Halford, currently touring North America with Judas Priest, offered a nuanced perspective.
He stated, “Yes, but it really depends on where you are.” Halford, who married his partner Thomas last year, expressed frustration over the ongoing homophobia, sharing, “I’ve lived here a long time, and I’ve witnessed a lot of changes since the ’80s.”
“It angers and upsets me,” he continued. “Even now, some fans tell me, ‘I love Judas Priest, but I’m not gay,’ which I find amusing. That mindset is still prevalent to some extent.”
However, he emphasized that concertgoers tend to be very accepting, noting, “When I’m on stage with Priest, I know everyone is there to enjoy the music, not to judge my sexuality. It’s all about the art we create.”
Halford recalled his spontaneous coming out on MTV, saying, “I just mentioned it in passing—no plan at all. It shocked me when I realized I’d openly declared my sexuality.”
Describing the experience as natural, he explained, “It just flowed into the conversation. I felt a mixture of excitement and fear afterwards, but in the end, I didn’t care.”
Reflecting on the impact of his revelation, Halford shared that the band’s management and label were already aware, and most fans had suspected it as well.
He also addressed the challenges of being openly gay in the metal scene, stating, “Coming out in such a homophobic environment was tough, and I still face that today.”
Recalling a 2019 interview, Halford mentioned the fear he felt regarding venues that might not welcome him due to his sexuality, saying, “There are places I can’t return to because I could be in danger.”
He concluded, “Coming out made me realize I was living my life for others, not for myself. The ’70s and ’80s were incredibly tough.”
