In a new interview with the Edmonton Journal, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford discussed his personal life and whether he feared it would lose his fanbase.
He said:
“Oh yeah, absolutely, I was surrounded by homophobia, which still exists today. There are places I can’t go back to because I’ll be stoned to death. As far as that whole business, I discovered when I did come out that I was in this trap g*y people find themselves living in that you’re living your life for everyone else, but not yourself.”
He continued:
“During the ’70s and ’80s, it was incredibly difficult. I love PRIEST more than anything, so while always in my mind — I have to be careful how I say this — it’s not important to the music. Though I will say, a straight man can’t do my job. [Laughs] That’s the way I view it.
He further added:
Freddie [Mercury] said it wasn’t important, but if Freddie hadn’t have been gay, QUEEN would’ve been a totally different band. But that’s a really important part of my life that I have to get down on paper at some point.”