Well, me being a fan of Prince since 1978, I have heard my share of folks believing P was/is gay. But not once have I had anyone tell me that they thought P was anything else but black. P's ethnic background was never even brought up. Regardless of what people say, everyone KNOWS P is black. The only people that say otherwise are the folks that WISH P was another race. Because they have a problem accepting the fact that a black man is that talented or because their in love with him or whatever. It would be easier for them if P was actually something else. That would justify them being so heavily into P. That's what time that is.

blackguitaristz said:

right on time, totally agree

something i often thought about, but as i come from the other side of the atlantic, was not something i could pin down properly.

is p a hershey highwayman? - gaybe, gaybe not...

lottielooloo1968 said:

I have come to a conclusion about that particular phrase, because Prince isn't the only one that it's been asked about. Andre 3000 and gospel singer Tonex (amongst myriad others, I'm sure) have had this same thing wondered about themselves.

My conclusion is that when people are accusing Prince of being "gay", they're not actually making an accusation about his sexuality, but rather over the notion that he is different. For some reason TOTALLY UNBEKNOWNST TO ME OR THE POWERS THAT BE, the words different, gay and dumb have become synonymous in the last 30 years. Just look at all the teeny-bopper threads on youtube.com, where different=gay=dumb is all over place.

Me, I don't trip about this any longer, because I know that it is not a well-adjusted or secure person that makes such a claim or "accusation." These things always stem from ENVY and INSECURITY. Envy because the person perceived as "different" is actually out there doing something and basically playing the game by their own rules, or more specifically, not the rules that others think they have the right to impose on those around them; insecurity because they have either tried to do something similar and got "called out" for it, or they are closet cases themselves.

And if they are not closet cases, but are just ragging on people for not responding to peer pressure or the status quo, all we need to do is say four simple words - SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!

This rant sponsored by reality.

TANKAEFC said:

No, really, people are talking about their sexuality. That there's a chance they have sex with other men. Specifically.

I would call Neil Young or Joe Cocker different. But I wouldn't suspect they're gay (though -- who knows? -- they could be). I would call Macy Gray and Bjork different. But I wouldn't call them gay, per se.

When people think Prince is gay, it's because of the way he has dressed, has sung and has acted throughout the bulk of his career.

Again, gay not being an identification of someone as uncategorizable. But, gay as in having sex with other men. Specifically.



verb-tense edit...
[Edited 12/2/07 4:01am]

In my opinion, I just find its people trying to rise me coz they know I think he is so sexy! Ive learned to ignore their comments over the past 20 odd years. Plus if he was, who cares?

Well don't mention him to them. Like the doctor says " if it hurts when you do that, then don't do that.

It's quite nauseating & upsetting at the same time. How was able 2 look past his exterior appearance & focus on the music. Peolpe are just ignorant

vainandy said:

I'm in love

Like Prince says in 'Uptown', say NO, are YOU?.

well, that's a matter of opinion, just like mine, but I would like you to answer me a question: what proof is there that just because a person dresses in the clothing of a certain gender, that makes them gay or makes people question them? My gender identity as a man has nothing to do with what I wear, and if someone wants to stick their foot in their mouth and make such a foolish assumption, then that's on them totally, and not on me at all. In other words, your perception of me IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY.

ThreadBare said:

Oh, and btw, I'm a big ol' gay boy, and I would hope that you are too, if you're going to talk about such things, otherwise, then I'd wonder if you were even qualified to discuss such things.

ThreadBare said:

VenusBlingBling said:

The first thing I was asked at my work when I returned from the O2 in London was "Isn't he bi or something?" I said I never asked him.

Flowerz said:

Yup. I wish I had the album around when people say these things.

But why bother

blackguitaristz said:

Great to have a post from you here man!
I also think that a lot of the people who can't believe he's black think so because they just have this stereotype image of what a black human being is supposed to look like. People don't understand that there are different shades, just like every white person doesn't have the exact same shade. It's like if you've seen one black person you've seen them all. You have to have really dark brown skin to be labeled as black. Cuz why else do we use the term "black", right?

...

From the ignorant 2 English dictionary (4th edition)

"Gay": Substitute word 4 "Thing I don't comprehend on first glance".

I don't stick up for P when people ask me if he's gay.

I just say, "So? Have you listened to any of his music?"

VenusBlingBling said:

I'm not from America, I only live here. But can anybody tell me why it is so damn important here to be 'labeled' as black or white here. What's the difference? It seems that black and white are trying to compete with each other constantly. By labeling, both races seem to try their hardest to keep negativity between black and white alive.Black people want to be better than white people and white people want to be better than black people. Whats the purpose of this insanity?
I am the mother of a 'black' child, I am aware of racism but it goes both ways. I never put myself, or my child in a black or white category and don't allow anybody else to do so. To label somebody for their skincolor has to be ignored no matter what side it is coming from. If somebody can't accept me or my family for our personality, but has to label us as 'black' or 'white', I don't need you in my life. I don't care about anyone who has to point out and blame it on skincolor every chance they get.
Can we all just stop the nonsense and try to make this a world where everybody feels accepted and safe? The world isn't just black or white and it's up to us to change things for the better.

GiGi319 said:

That reminds me of something Prince himself once said.
"One day, I said I would make all kinds of music. And not be judged by the color of my skin, but the quality of my work."

The morale is that all we can do about the ignorants is expose them to his music first and foremost... they'll shut up when they see how good it is.
And if they can't see beyond what their eyes see by listening to the music, which is literally the contents of Prince's heart & soul, then there's not much we can do about that.

So let's just live by Prince's words and celebrate the quality of his music no matter what he is

I used to attempt Prince lectures, that turned into Prince music crash courses, which eventually tired me. I'm pretty much down to, If you don't love Prince music, you will never understand a large part of me and the things that I love. Hit the road..

TANKAEFC said:

I never said clothing choices are proof that a person is gay. And, I started off by saying the question about Prince's sexuality was ignorant and immature.

That said, it's a fairly reasonable conclusion to make that if someone seems to identify so closely with women in dress, mannerisms and such, that their interests could run along such lines.

Never said my inferences were your responsibility. But, the maxim about something walking and quacking like a duck applies to Prince pretty well, I think.

And, I don't have to be gay to say I wouldn't be surprised if someone else is.
[Edited 12/2/07 19:13pm]

Well, I might be inclined to agree with you, if I hadn't gotten involved with someone (in a relationship) who has taught me a little something about gender identity. He "walks like a duck" and "quacks like a duck", but in fact, he's not what I thought he was. I didn't so much mean to come off hard like I might have, but I always like to make sure people remember that there's more than one side to the coin.

That said, it's a fairly reasonable conclusion to make that if someone seems to identify so closely with women in dress, mannerisms and such, that their interests could run along such lines.

Never said my inferences were your responsibility. But, the maxim about something walking and quacking like a duck applies to Prince pretty well, I think.

And, I don't have to be gay to say I wouldn't be surprised if someone else is.
[Edited 12/2/07 19:13pm]
[/quote]

Yeah I hear the same thing from people all the time. I was just arguing with my cousin (who is in his early 20's) the other day who told me that he "hated Prince". Well me being a fan I of course had to ask him way he felt that way. Well come to find out he doesn't like Prince b/c he think's he's "too gay" or whatever the heck that's supposed to mean . Being that he is only familiar with "When Dove's Cry" and "Purple Rain" tho I told him that he should at least try to listen to some more of Prince's music since there's a lot more to him than those songs as we all know but he refused and even tried to argue with me that John Mayer and U2 were better. I told him i'd still buy him a Prince cd for x-mas though and he said maybe he'd agree to listen if I bought it for him so we'll see .

Just tell them that Prince is obviously a lesbian trapped in a man's body.

That way everyone is right.

...he isn't gay...but if he is....does it matter?

He's a real star, he plays real music, he's really nice.

The end.

VenusBlingBling said:

And his gay partner/s is, are, was, or were?????

[Edited 12/3/07 13:11pm]

Prince just needs to come out already

GiGi319 said:

not to hi-jack the thread, but to respond ...

you may not put your child in a category and you may not teach your child that, but whether you like it or not, your child is gonna learn it anyway from Society cause Society 'does'(and will) put 'labels' on folks...(if a racist cop [who WILL put a label on your child] is attacking your child .. how are you gonna avoid that? this is life) and i understood what blackguitarist was saying.. there are 'racist ppl' who dont wanna accept they are in love with a black man, the very thing they hate and they try to 'color it' another color with excuses to cover that up ...this has nothing to do with who thinks they're better... it's a harsh reality for parents, but better for you to tell them and teach them .. cause they're gonna face it anyway in life..

ToraToraDreams said:

The Prince we know is scared of plenty, and that's a fact. I'm not saying he's gay, but if he were so inclined, I doubt he'd be public about it. The man is deeply religious, was raised in a conservative faith and is now a member of a different conservative faith. The fanbase likes to think of their Hero as some voice in the wilderness for sexual and social freedom. It was truer back in the day than it is now. But even in the glory days I doubt he was anywhere near as free as his fans expected him to be.