Spinlight said:

julia319 said:

So, AT FIRST, I'm not a homophobe and I'm a girl.

But still, being a 100% tolerant girl, I think that what Prince did, was the only good way of them all.

Because... doesn't that make u feel awkward when a man says to another man any kind of a compliment?

I mean, it's OK, when a guy says to his mate: 'hey, man, ur hair look awesome!' but when it comes to a man who says to another one: 'yeah, u look really sexy', then it's strange. this guy feels stupid, you as an onlooker feel stupid, everyone feels stupid! So don't tell me that Prince made a mistake because he didn't... I'm only surprised that he didn't kick his ass...

Yeah, and that situation shows that Prince is a real man. At least for me. And I like it!

A "real man"?

It's "strange"?

Everyone feels "stupid"?

Surprised he didn't "kick his ass"?

You are a homophobe. And a right ignorant one at that. Congrats.

Agreed. Makes one wonder how Prince actually attracts this kind of amoeba in the first place

This post has created an interesting debate. I'll throw my two pence in.

I really don't believe anyone has suggested anything homophobic. I think it's being used quite loosely. I think the appropriate word to use is "uncomfortable".

If this story is true, then Prince is entitled to walk off set if he is made to feel uncomfortable. It could have been the comment, the person who said it, the context or just how vulnerable he felt at that particular time. If he was a true homophobe he probably wouldn't be having his photo taken by openly gay man.

I can understand how he may have felt uncomfortable. He might have done the same if it was a straight woman. The personal/business boundaries were crossed perhaps and he didn't like it. I get that.

As for the photographer, I can understand why he said it. If someone was posing in such a fashion, you would presume they are posing in a sexually suggestive manner and as a photographer (be it that a very successful one) you do what you can to push the subject in the direction they want to get the best results.

What should have happened: Prince talking before walking and explain how he felt, never know, might have been one of his greatest photo shoots ever.

As for the person who said no straight man would want to be complimented by another man, please grow up a little and live in the 21st century. I am a straight man and love compliments from either gender or sexuality, because it's positive. If you accept from a straight woman and not a gay man then I would suggest there is a deeper underlying issue that needs to be resolved. You should be able to live in harmony with all sexualities just like you live in peace with all races and creeds.

Gohi said:

RubyButterfly said:

Seriously, how is a photobrapher telling the subject he/she is photographing that they, or their pose, looks sexy in any way being rude or be construed as crossing the line? Seems to me it would be helpful to hear ongoing feedback from the photographer during a shoot. It doesn't sound as if this Herb guy was panting or unzipping his fly or doing anything at all 'inappropriate' to the situation while he told Prince that he looked sexy, so what's the big deal?

And it's also my opinion that most men who are completely straight and comfortable with their sexuality aren't going to flip out if another man, straight OR gay, compliments them or tells them they look sexy...especially during a situation such as a photo shoot.

[Edited 9/29/10 0:25am]

Exactly. But you shouldn't bother attempting to communicate with Daphne as she's obviously a sycophant and a purple kool aid drinker.

Spinlight said:

thepope2the9s said:

I guess u havent heard yet, but any negative conitation about or towards homosexuals is HOMOPHOBIA. Homophobe is used alot like the RACE CARD is used anytime someone has an opposing view concerning things in or around that subject. Until you accept all things and all people as equal you are homophobic,racist,sexist,.....the list goes on&on.

You must read at an elementary school level, I presume.

Is that all you can come up with?

thepope2the9s said:

Spinlight said:

You must read at an elementary school level, I presume.

Is that all you can come up with?

What more needs to be said? You are clearly mistaken on the definition of homophobe, so I presume it is because you're just that stupid.

Spinlight said:

You are clearly mistaken on the definition of homophobe

To clear things up since it hasn't been stated yet:

homophobia - unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals and homosexuality.

Random House Dictionary 2010

A definition, not necessarily THE definition.

But yeah, just because you say something negative to a person who happens to be homosexual, that does not make you homophobic.

Spinlight said:

julia319 said:

So, AT FIRST, I'm not a homophobe and I'm a girl.

But still, being a 100% tolerant girl, I think that what Prince did, was the only good way of them all.

Because... doesn't that make u feel awkward when a man says to another man any kind of a compliment?

I mean, it's OK, when a guy says to his mate: 'hey, man, ur hair look awesome!' but when it comes to a man who says to another one: 'yeah, u look really sexy', then it's strange. this guy feels stupid, you as an onlooker feel stupid, everyone feels stupid! So don't tell me that Prince made a mistake because he didn't... I'm only surprised that he didn't kick his ass...

Yeah, and that situation shows that Prince is a real man. At least for me. And I like it!

A "real man"?

It's "strange"?

Everyone feels "stupid"?

Surprised he didn't "kick his ass"?

You are a homophobe. And a right ignorant one at that. Congrats.

That made me cringe too!

Spinlight said:

thepope2the9s said:

Is that all you can come up with?

What more needs to be said? You are clearly mistaken on the definition of homophobe, so I presume it is because you're just that stupid.

You presume way too much.

As a straight man who has had far more men approach him than women (no idea why), I've gotta say I find Prince's reaction a little bit childish.

I don't expect people to react to anything like I do, and I know that many have far differing views on homosexuality than I do, but a simple compliment like that should be laughed off every time.

Still, it was a long time ago, and he probably couldn't be bothered in the first place.

As a straight, non-homophobic male with gay friends of both genders I just want to say that I personally wouldn't be offended if anybody paid me a compliment regardless of their gender or sexuality... a compliment should be taken graciously.

I don't know if Herb Ritts is a gay man (I know nothing about him) but the suggestion that a "real man" would "kick his ass" is dubious indeed. I may not have learned much in my lifetime but I know that it's unacceptable to commit acts of violence against homosexuals and I also know that REAL men can be both gay or straight. Those two comments alone were blatantly homophobic.

I suspect it had less to do with the comment itself and more to do with the implication.

ie. there's always been conjecture about whether or not Prince is gay/bi/etc... and perhaps he was specifically trying to distance himself from that image at the time and with that shoot (for whatever reason - probably predominantly marketing).

So then he has this gay photographer tell him that he looks sexy and he abruptly decides the shoot is therefore not what he's looking for - hence walking out and asking for the negatives to be burnt.

Precious, yes. Homophobic? Sounds like it. But it does seem like it was a "moment in time" rather than an accurate picture of Prince as a person.

I wouldn't want to be judged on some of my most questionable behaviour as I'm sure no one else would.

I don't believe the act was justified, but I don't hold it against him either.

As for those who are trying to justify his behaviour by saying that the photographer was out of line calling him sexy, you've clearly never been at (or seen footage of) a photo shoot.

Gohi said:

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

Gohi said:

Telling someone that they're sexy or good looking is a compliment. I'm straight but I'd be totally flattered and okay with a homosexual or straight guy telling me I looked sexy/hot. Sure, if things got overly descriptive or if they started trying to test their luck with me, I would be quick to tell them I wasn't interested. But there's no reason that you have to misinterpret someone saying Prince looked good to mean that they were fawning and lusting over him.

Why is it okay for women to call him sexy but not men? Because he doesn't want to fuck men? Please explain this intelligently without just saying that he is a straight man.

You. Are. Homophobic. It's okay. Actually it's not okay. But maybe some day you'll work on it. What Prince did was far more unprofessional than what the photographer did.

That's YOUR opinion! Not everybody's. I'm not homophobic, I'm around gay people all the time and don't have a problem with it as long as no women hit on me. Then it makes me uncomfortable, same with if a man that I'm not interested in. Sexual harrassment is a serious thing, and as I've stated before, the use of the word "sexy" falls under that clause. So obvious I'm not the only 1 who sees this as wrong. And frankly the word sexy isn't a nonchalant word, it implies alot more and that's how its taken. Prince was obviuosly upset by it since he walked off. And that's what's most important. Why would he continue to work somewhere he felt uncomfortable?

It's harmless. He was telling Prince that that shot was going to look great and that they were doing great shots together. If anything, Prince's walking off makes him look as if he's overcompensating and he's uncomfortable with his own sexuality.

But whatever. Princey gets what Princey wants and you can support his childish behavior if you want. You'd be supporting him if he punched the guy or knifed him.

Spinlight said:

herrherr said:

Daphne, your stupidity gets me all hot in the junk. Just sayin' <3

julia319 said:

GetAwayFromMe said:

daphne ur assuming that your perspective is right. maybe he walked out for other reasons than what you think?

thepope2the9s said:

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

Gohi said:

Telling someone that they're sexy or good looking is a compliment. I'm straight but I'd be totally flattered and okay with a homosexual or straight guy telling me I looked sexy/hot. Sure, if things got overly descriptive or if they started trying to test their luck with me, I would be quick to tell them I wasn't interested. But there's no reason that you have to misinterpret someone saying Prince looked good to mean that they were fawning and lusting over him.

Why is it okay for women to call him sexy but not men? Because he doesn't want to fuck men? Please explain this intelligently without just saying that he is a straight man.

You. Are. Homophobic. It's okay. Actually it's not okay. But maybe some day you'll work on it. What Prince did was far more unprofessional than what the photographer did.

That's YOUR opinion! Not everybody's. I'm not homophobic, I'm around gay people all the time and don't have a problem with it as long as no women hit on me. Then it makes me uncomfortable, same with if a man that I'm not interested in. Sexual harrassment is a serious thing, and as I've stated before, the use of the word "sexy" falls under that clause. So obvious I'm not the only 1 who sees this as wrong. And frankly the word sexy isn't a nonchalant word, it implies alot more and that's how its taken. Prince was obviuosly upset by it since he walked off. And that's what's most important. Why would he continue to work somewhere he felt uncomfortable?

But hasn't Prince been guilty of using this word himself? Sexy Dancer and Sexy MF spring to mind... nobody has ever cited these songs as examples of sexual harrassment before have they?

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

thepope2the9s said:

I guess u havent heard yet, but any negative conitation about or towards homosexuals is HOMOPHOBIA. Homophobe is used alot like the RACE CARD is used anytime someone has an opposing view concerning things in or around that subject. Until you accept all things and all people as equal you are homophobic,racist,sexist,.....the list goes on&on.

Yeah I know, its a scare tactic...."try to push someone away by insulting them b/c they have a different viewpoint than me." Yeah, doesn't work on me. I know I'm not homophobic, but I also know I'm straight and what I do/don't feel comfortable with. And just b/c you don't enjoy/tolerate people of the same sex making sexual comments towards you, doesn't make you homophobic. People really need to learn to use words correctly, b/c they are only desensitizing people to the severity of certains words.

It's inexcusable that you parade yourself around being level-headed and reasonable when, in truth, you are under the same kind of blissful haze of consensual reality that a lot of religious people are. Someone you revere (PS Idol worship is against your religious rule) treated someone else in a rude, bratty, and immature manner and you champion this behavior because it is "strange" and "weird" etc. A worthier response would've been to hit this person in the face, ie "kick [their] ass."

Who taught you that you hit people to resolve disagreements? Who taught you gay sex, gay people, gay relationships, or anything else gay is "stupid"? Who taught you that gay men weren't "real men"? Those teachings are wrong. YOU are wrong for holding the conception that gay men are not 100% real men. YOU are wrong for subscribing to gender roles with such a fervor that you would insult and diminish millions of men because YOU think that sexual intercourse denotes masculinity, sanity, worth, etc.

lopez568 said:

Gohi said:

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

You're right, it could have been (and maybe it was) harmless and just typical talk of photographers. But that has nothing to do with how it made Prince feel.

daphne, you dont know how it made prince feel. you are only imagining how it made prince feel and assuming it to be a fact.

you're projecting your own thoughts on to this scenario and assuming prince thinks the same way you do.

prince taught an entire generation that sexual harassment is OK.

he influenced people, on how to manipulate a woman into bed, and he did this through his songs and his video clips.

some might even say prince himself is an expert at sexual harassment.

ur either calling him a hypocrite, or there are other reasons he left the room that you havent thought about.

robinhood said:

Gohi said:

Wow, what a fucking homophobe.

My thoughts exactly. Too many stories make me truly feel Prince is homophobic.

The late Herb Ritts was a master photographer...one of the best. It's a photographer's job to help conjure mood and feeling on the set. For Prince to be so pissy about the "sexy" comment is insulting to Mr. Ritz.

daphne if ur merely speculating then you dont need to defend ur position as if it is a fact darlin.

you got urself in a whole bunch of mess here cuz you arent open to other people's views

relax and listen to what others have to say hun

pacey68 said:

Oh Lord, what am I doing? Ok, I think Daph has a point. I only say that because I work production (Haagen Dazs IC) and anybody who works in a factory will tell you that it is a meat market, so to speak. I consider my self to be a good looking dude who just so happens to be happily married with many family members who are gay. Heck, my co-worker is a total butch and I love that girl. I do have to admit, many women at my workplace can be rather forward with me. They all know that I am totally committed to my beautiful wife and would not stray. Yet they make sexual comments to me all the time. And to be honest it makes me feel uncomfortable most of the time. These women even stare down at my crotch or butt while commenting.

I guess the point I am trying to make is that some people are fine with such comments while others feel uneasy. It doesn't make one homophobic if they are turned off by such comments. I wouldn't want a dude saying that to me. And we don't know exactly what happened during that photo shoot. Perhaps Herb was focused on P's crotch and Prince felt uncomfortable. Then Herb makes that comment and that was the final straw, I don't know. Would I be wrong to say that most people have gotten of the subject of the thread? I mean, how did we get from "what happened that day" to "homophobia"? I haven't heard anybody say "judgmental" yet. I realize the world has changed and is now more open then ever. If our opinions differ, it doesn't mean we should call each other names or judge them.

Now you all can crucify me if you please but I will say this; there is too much negativity in the world. I come to the Org for Prince info and I find a lot of bad vibes. Prince is human and we should all know by now what to expect when it comes to his music. I would like to say that we stop all the negativity. Stop the name calling or stop from being judgmental. Especially when it comes to Prince. He is human people! Just like you and me.

Klick