REM Frontman Discusses Sexuality

REM frontman Michael Stipe recently said that he believes it is important for public figures to be open about their sexuality.

The 48-year-old singer has long been candid about being gay, having been named in Out magazine's 'Out 100' list of gay celebrities in 1995, and describing himself as a queer artist in a 2001 interview with Time magazine.

In a recent interview with Spin, the singer revisited the topic, saying that he was always honest about his sexuality with those close to him, and now recognises that it is important for people in the public eye to be open about such matters.

"I was totally open with the band and my family and my friends and certainly the people I was sleeping with. I thought it was pretty obvious," Stipe said.

"Now I recognize that to have public figures be very open about their sexuality helps some kid somewhere out there."

REM are due to release their 14th studio album, 'Accelerate', on April 1 in the US and a day earlier in the UK.

Thanks for the info to NME.com.

Comments

[Lotz222]

whatever floats your boat AND 1st!

[tim5_ICT]

k... cool

[akaDan]

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

[Gsh]

This is annoyingly un-newsworthy. And yet, here I am reading and commenting. What an utter waste of time.

[paul_brownell]

akaDan wrote:

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

agree

[static_music34]

paul_brownell wrote:

akaDan wrote:

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

agree

+1

[Blink_mark]

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

[Blink_mark]

akaDan wrote:

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

Agreed, i like the way alot of people stereotype gay men/women:

if you have short hair and your a woman then your gay

If you look after your apperence then your gay

Small minded people feel they need to judge everyone they meet so they can justify how to treat them

[Draken]

Who cares Stipey is a nice chap and a great frontman.

[akaDan]

Blink_mark wrote:

akaDan wrote:

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

Agreed, i like the way alot of people stereotype gay men/women:

if you have short hair and your a woman then your gay

If you look after your apperence then your gay

Small minded people feel they need to judge everyone they meet so they can justify how to treat them

Well yes, but I meant that I hate it when people feel the need to base their personality on their sexuality. For example, a straight man always talking about hot women and a homosexual man always acting really camp. It's not necassary. Be normal.

[i_am_metalhead]

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Anyway, although I don't like the band, Stipe has a point - be honest and open because there may be someone out there who looks up to you that may be going through some problems and if their idol or role model is honest and open with him/herself then this person may find the courage to do the same.

[akaDan]

i_am_metalhead wrote:

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Anyway, although I don't like the band, Stipe has a point - be honest and open because there may be someone out there who looks up to you that may be going through some problems and if their idol or role model is honest and open with him/herself then this person may find the courage to do the same.

Don't post again untill you can stop forcing your opinions onto others.

[Cafas]

God, don't defend death metal like that. That's a ****ing terrible argument.

[break-me-in]

[quote]Stipe wrote:"I was totally open with the band and my family and my friends and certainly the people I was sleeping with. I thought it was pretty obvious,"[/quote]

Of course it was obvious! How would the people he was sleeping with not know?

[mattyp90]

Cafas wrote:
This isn't newsworthy at all, especially on this site.

This is a guitar site that often features news about music.
Stipe is a musician in a guitar band talking about a subject that interests at least some of UG's readers, hence there are comments on this article(including yours, ironically).


These facts

+

a bit of common sense

=

conclusion that this is a valid UG news article.

If you don't like it
a) don't read it
b) don't comment on it
c) complain to the UG News Team directly, not us

Fair enough if you're not really interested, but what are you trying to do, convince people that they don't want to read this? Convince UG that this isn't news?
I'm sure people clicked this because they wanted to read it, and I'm sure UG News Team consider whether news is worth putting up.

[Cafas]

Man, you have way too much time on your hands.

This article was printed to stir up controversy. Nothing more.

[Cafas]

And if you really want to get into it, your post is a hell of a lot more 'whiny' than mine. I made a one sentence post, and you felt the need to go on a diatribe.

[travislausch]

akaDan wrote:

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

What if it were some guy flaunting his asexuality? I know, same thing, but that'd still be fairly amusing.


And while I am not a fan of R.E.M., I admire his openness and honesty. It's people like him that make it possible for me to be open about things like my Asperger's Syndrome and my OCD.

[mattyp90]

Cafas wrote:

And if you really want to get into it, your post is a hell of a lot more 'whiny' than mine. I made a one sentence post, and you felt the need to go on a diatribe.

You had to post multiple times to say what you think.

All I'm saying is this site has moved on a bit from when it was named, and was solely a guitar site.
It's an online community, not cafas.com, it takes into account what the general visitor/member wants.

But if you have to be right, you can continue insulting me, rather than arguing my points like I have with you.

[RVM]

Stipes been open about being gay for the last 10 years! He came out and said it plain as day in Behind The Music back in 99. How is this news?!
All he said was that he'll be "more" open about it these days.

Anyway, the real news story... Accelerate April 1st!

[Psychedelico]

i_am_metalhead wrote:

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Anyway, although I don't like the band, Stipe has a point - be honest and open because there may be someone out there who looks up to you that may be going through some problems and if their idol or role model is honest and open with him/herself then this person may find the courage to do the same.

Both of you are ignorant.

[Cafas]

All I'm saying is this site has moved on a bit from when it was named, and was solely a guitar site.
It's an online community, not cafas.com, it takes into account what the general visitor/member wants.

You look into things way too much. I'm quite aware of all those things. I made an off hand comment, which I still support.

But if you have to be right, you can continue insulting me, rather than arguing my points like I have with you.

If you were making decent points to begin with, perhaps there would be an argument. All I see is someone making something out of nothing, and a stoner killing time before work. I know who I am .

[Kozworth]

I actually had no idea he was gay. Can't wait to hear the new record, it's been awhile for these fellows.

[dirtymexican863]

I don't care if he's gay or not. This is a poor excuse for an article.

[lsw444]

Tedious. It's not particularly newsworthy. About as revelatory as Axl Rose not releasing an album still, despite his guitarist wearing a bucket on his head.

Is it right to put this article out? Does it promote an anti-prejudice view? Or in its obviousness and tokenism does it foster the view that it wouldn't be put on the site if it was about heterosexuality?

Can get intellectual all it wants, but I thought it was interesting because now I know they're releasing another album and still desperately cling to the hope it'll be as good as Document.

[recliner33]

i_am_metalhead wrote:

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Anyway, although I don't like the band, Stipe has a point - be honest and open because there may be someone out there who looks up to you that may be going through some problems and if their idol or role model is honest and open with him/herself then this person may find the courage to do the same.

It doesn't take talent to play death metal, heck the eagles of death metal have more talent then most death metal bands.

And I forgot that Michael was gay, but either way he is still a great guy and a kickass singer. And at least he has the balls to come out and be open about it.

[Jaykib]

akaDan wrote:

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

Said it all...

[willy_99]

he can have sex with animals for all i care, hes still an amazing singer

[jmag]

recliner33 wrote:It doesn't take talent to play death metal, heck the eagles of death metal have more talent then most death metal bands.

What? For christ's sake, if ignorance really was bliss I guess you'd be a happy fellow... Go listen to some The Faceless. Btw, I like the way you said "most death metal bands"... 'cause you obviously know alot of them, and all.

[CousticStrangla]

I'm not gonne lie, I don't want my fav artists to be gay. Last thing I want is to hear a great song and relate the lyrics to a girlfriend then find out the song was written about a dude. Nastah!

Fortunately, I'm not an REM fan.

[ReiDSaN]

CousticStrangla wrote:

I'm not gonne lie, I don't want my fav artists to be gay. Last thing I want is to hear a great song and relate the lyrics to a girlfriend then find out the song was written about a dude. Nastah!

Fortunately, I'm not an REM fan.

Songs tend to be about feelings and situations, so you might apply them to anyone, right? You might have exactly the same feelings for your partner that a gay man does, so I don't really see what the problem is.

[Flying Afros]

mattyp90 wrote:

Cafas wrote:
This isn't newsworthy at all, especially on this site.


This is a guitar site that often features news about music.
Stipe is a musician in a guitar band talking about a subject that interests at least some of UG's readers, hence there are comments on this article(including yours, ironically).


These facts

+

a bit of common sense

=

conclusion that this is a valid UG news article.

If you don't like it
a) don't read it
b) don't comment on it
c) complain to the UG News Team directly, not us

Fair enough if you're not really interested, but what are you trying to do, convince people that they don't want to read this? Convince UG that this isn't news?
I'm sure people clicked this because they wanted to read it, and I'm sure UG News Team consider whether news is worth putting up.

Owned

[This1GoesTo11]

Who cares about how much talent it takes to play death metal. It takes talent to yodle properly too, but I could give two shits about it. It takes more than talent to be interesting.

[noodlegts]

Gay...

But seriously, whatever floats your boat. I just get annoyed when people flaunt being gay. I don't flaunt being straight.. who cares??!

[Nekrofagist]

OMFGZZZ I LUV THIS BAND FROM ROCKBAND





not really
but i do like this band

[qotsa1998]

For me, it doesnt matter at all what sexuality any of the artists i listen to. If they are gay, more power to them. If they flaunt it tho, well, it does make for an interesting live show, like Bowie and Freddie Mercury. Michael Stipe is a good singer, and REM has put out some great songs. Being gay rarely changes the music you make. An on another note, the Eagles of Death Metal are extremely talented and awesome.

[nathantayloryes]

break-me-in wrote:

[quote]Stipe wrote:"I was totally open with the band and my family and my friends and certainly the people I was sleeping with. I thought it was pretty obvious,"

Of course it was obvious! How would the people he was sleeping with not know?[/quote]

um... yeah i think thats the joke actually... congratulations for understanding it

[nathantayloryes]

recliner33 wrote:

i_am_metalhead wrote:

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Anyway, although I don't like the band, Stipe has a point - be honest and open because there may be someone out there who looks up to you that may be going through some problems and if their idol or role model is honest and open with him/herself then this person may find the courage to do the same.

It doesn't take talent to play death metal, heck the eagles of death metal have more talent then most death metal bands.

And I forgot that Michael was gay, but either way he is still a great guy and a kickass singer. And at least he has the balls to come out and be open about it.

lol eagles of death metal ****ing rock

[nathantayloryes]

CousticStrangla wrote:

I'm not gonne lie, I don't want my fav artists to be gay. Last thing I want is to hear a great song and relate the lyrics to a girlfriend then find out the song was written about a dude. Nastah!

Fortunately, I'm not an REM fan.

congratulations, youve just exposed yourself as the most ignorant person on this post

[kryzay311]

I had no idea he was gay.

And I don't care. REM rules.

[Bonscott4ever]

kryzay311 wrote:

I had no idea he was gay.

Agreed.

[recliner33]

jmag wrote:

recliner33 wrote:It doesn't take talent to play death metal, heck the eagles of death metal have more talent then most death metal bands.
What? For christ's sake, if ignorance really was bliss I guess you'd be a happy fellow... Go listen to some The Faceless. Btw, I like the way you said "most death metal bands"... 'cause you obviously know alot of them, and all.

Yeah I know of quite a few death metal bands but there is only about 2 of them that I have heard so far that I actually like. And I'm not saying death metal is just a talentless genre, there are talented people in every genre out there, it's just I haven't seen much of it from death metal. And I wasn't bashing on the eagles of death metal, I actually enjoy listening to them but lets face it, they aren't the most gifted or talented band out there musically, it's pretty simple boogy rock stuff.

[Pure_Morning]

Why does most of these articles comments turn into some slogfest between the who's more metal than the other?

And music isn't all talent, it's hard work as well.

But more to the point, I think REM are a great band and Stipe does have a good point.

[x Trev x]

i felt my IQ sink farther and farther down as i read the posts here. is it possible to not get into stupid arguments about interesting pieces of trivia?

[mawood83]

ALLmustPAY wrote:
You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Mediocre stuff? are you ****ing kidding me? REM is not even in my top 100 favs but when an REM song comes on the radio majority of the country know the tune..it takes a lot of talent to write a hit song and they have wrote many hit songs..ever wonder why death metal isnt mainstream? cuz there's no hit metal songs!!! theres a reason why in 20 years people will remember REM and why nobody will have a clue about any metal band playing these days. Metal musicians are talented at their instruments, hello Pantera!! Which may be the only metal band to stand the test of time.

[shwilly]

akaDan wrote:

And while I am not a fan of R.E.M., I admire his openness and honesty. It's people like him that make it possible for me to be open about things like my Asperger's Syndrome and my OCD.

Cool, I don't know the first pedal you mentioned but the OCD kicks ass.

But anyway, I have a serious lack of gaydar so I wouldn't have noticed anyway. The thing is, when you're in a room with several people and one of them is gay it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable when someone tells a gay-joke. It kinda makes you realize how people always rely on the same old subjects whenever they want to get some laughs

[Mudvayne_4_Life]

Wow, I never knew he was gay...

Whatever, I like 'em.

[lounge act]

I really like REM, but honestly, I never knew he was gay. Oh well. I'll still like them just as much. Him, Freddie Mercury, and Rob Halford are all great musicians and just because they're gay doesn't change my opinion, and hopefully shouldn' tchange anyone else's.

[punk_mike_88]

Good for him, it's awesome that he's not ashamed of his sexuality. REM rules.

[randyaintdead82]

I just skipped all the way down here and dont know if someone already said this, but i dont care if hes gay or not either, look at freddie mercury or rob halford

[bindiboi]

akaDan wrote:

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

Agreed! I am a gay man and even I hate it when people wear their sexuality on their sleeve. My sexuality does not define who I am. But it is cool when A celebrity does come out because it shows that it is a normal facet of everyday life. Unfortunatly when a celeb comes out it does end up defining them. I guess it is a double edged sword.

[Dead_End]

akaDan wrote:

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

+1

[ihaterap69]

mawood83 wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:
You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Mediocre stuff? are you ****ing kidding me? REM is not even in my top 100 favs but when an REM song comes on the radio majority of the country know the tune..it takes a lot of talent to write a hit song and they have wrote many hit songs..ever wonder why death metal isnt mainstream? cuz there's no hit metal songs!!! theres a reason why in 20 years people will remember REM and why nobody will have a clue about any metal band playing these days. Metal musicians are talented at their instruments, hello Pantera!! Which may be the only metal band to stand the test of time.

'tallica too.

[Danejerez]

shwilly wrote:

akaDan wrote:

And while I am not a fan of R.E.M., I admire his openness and honesty. It's people like him that make it possible for me to be open about things like my Asperger's Syndrome and my OCD.

Cool, I don't know the first pedal you mentioned but the OCD kicks ass.

But anyway, I have a serious lack of gaydar so I wouldn't have noticed anyway. The thing is, when you're in a room with several people and one of them is gay it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable when someone tells a gay-joke. It kinda makes you realize how people always rely on the same old subjects whenever they want to get some laughs

umm..yeah...I don't think he was talking about pedals there pal.

Anyway, I had no idea Stipe was gay either.

Whatever, if that's how he likes it, that's fine.

Still a great band.

[chris_red]

kryzay311 wrote:

I had no idea he was gay.

And I don't care. REM rules.

+1

[fattypumbaa]

grunger1 wrote:

Gays are an abomination

Fuck You


Didn't know he was gay. Cool Shit. Good Band.

[TSCREAM420]

Gsh wrote:

This is annoyingly un-newsworthy. And yet, here I am reading and commenting. What an utter waste of time.

....SAME HERE!

[PissInMyShoeses]

i_am_metalhead wrote:

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come


You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Anyway, although I don't like the band, Stipe has a point - be honest and open because there may be someone out there who looks up to you that may be going through some problems and if their idol or role model is honest and open with him/herself then this person may find the courage to do the same.

What talent, heavy gain and distortion with double bass and a terrible singer is basically the compostion for every single death metal band ive heard....

[Oneordinarylife]

grunger1 wrote: gays are an abomination

You're a ****tard. Shut the hell up.

Anyways, as many people have said, never knew he was gay. Interesting.

[pinktux7]

akaDan wrote:

i_am_metalhead wrote:

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Anyway, although I don't like the band, Stipe has a point - be honest and open because there may be someone out there who looks up to you that may be going through some problems and if their idol or role model is honest and open with him/herself then this person may find the courage to do the same.
Don't post again untill you can stop forcing your opinions onto others.

Are you serious?
i_am_metalhead simply commented on his opinions of death metal and being honest as a public figure. I can't see where he forced any opinions on anyone.

You are obviously an ignorant liberal who can't stand anyone voicing an opinion that differs than your own.
If everyone can't voice their opinion than this discussion is meaningless.

[radioplay]

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

....which explains why theyre releasing their 14th studio album.Nobody likes them,yet they continue to put out music.....yea that makes sense

[jahyarain]

don't mind me. i knew he was gay about 25 years ago. but as soon as i saw the headline, i just had 2 come see the ignorant comments. can someone pass the popcorn, please?

as 4 death metal, i'll not comment on the talent (or lack of) it takes 2 play that (which u would have never had if not 4 the very gay Rob Halford). i will say, unplug the overdrive pedal, then the other one, switch 2 a clean channel (it's there even if u don't know it), look up the tabs 4 the mostly two chord (d and g) song "everybody hurts" and learn arpeggio. can u play something that simple? well, simple 2 those who listen 2 death metal only when absolutely necessary.

[deadkenedy]

Alright. Whatever really. Gay, straight. No one cares anymore, maybe in the 30's.

[duncang]

PissInMyShoeses wrote:

What talent, heavy gain and distortion with double bass and a terrible singer is basically the compostion for every single death metal band ive heard....

Yeah, the tone of the guitars, quality of vocals and one feature of a drum kit are compositional tools.

...?

[gwitersnamps]

Cafas wrote:

And if you really want to get into it, your post is a hell of a lot more 'whiny' than mine. I made a one sentence post, and you felt the need to go on a diatribe.

He's not the one who didn't want to read this. You say nobody would want to read this, and yet you took the time to follow the link and read the article. Please say you read the article, because if you just hit the link and posted, that's just sad.

[Draken]

People who say REM are poor are idiots.

[akaDan]

pinktux7 wrote:

akaDan wrote:

i_am_metalhead wrote:

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Anyway, although I don't like the band, Stipe has a point - be honest and open because there may be someone out there who looks up to you that may be going through some problems and if their idol or role model is honest and open with him/herself then this person may find the courage to do the same.
Don't post again untill you can stop forcing your opinions onto others.

Are you serious?
i_am_metalhead simply commented on his opinions of death metal and being honest as a public figure. I can't see where he forced any opinions on anyone.

You are obviously an ignorant liberal who can't stand anyone voicing an opinion that differs than your own.
If everyone can't voice their opinion than this discussion is meaningless.

Saying "dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M." is certainly forcing an opinion onto others.

And I don't know where you got the shit about "You are obviously an ignorant liberal who can't stand anyone voicing an opinion that differs than your own.", I was doing the exact opposite, idiot.

[gwitersnamps]

grunger1 wrote:

Gays are an abomination

By your use of the word "abomination" I will assume that your basis for this diarrhea of the mouth is religion. As a Roman Catholic, I would like to say "shut the F up." The real abomination is those who feel the need to spout their hateful beliefs at every opportunity. It's people like you and Jerry Falwell that screw up religion for the sane ones.

[RVM]

anyone heard REMs accelerate yet?

[pinktux7]

akaDan wrote:

pinktux7 wrote:

akaDan wrote:

i_am_metalhead wrote:

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

You obviously have no clue about the amount of talent it takes to play death metal opposed to the little talent it takes to play dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M.

Anyway, although I don't like the band, Stipe has a point - be honest and open because there may be someone out there who looks up to you that may be going through some problems and if their idol or role model is honest and open with him/herself then this person may find the courage to do the same.
Don't post again untill you can stop forcing your opinions onto others.

Are you serious?
i_am_metalhead simply commented on his opinions of death metal and being honest as a public figure. I can't see where he forced any opinions on anyone.

You are obviously an ignorant liberal who can't stand anyone voicing an opinion that differs than your own.
If everyone can't voice their opinion than this discussion is meaningless.
Saying "dull, mediocre stuff like R.E.M." is certainly forcing an opinion onto others.

And I don't know where you got the shit about "You are obviously an ignorant liberal who can't stand anyone voicing an opinion that differs than your own.", I was doing the exact opposite, idiot.

Do you now feel that REM is dull and mediocre?
I don't, so I guess he didn't do a very good job of forcing his opinion. Just because he thinks they suck doesn't mean he's forcing you to think that.

It seemed to me that you didn't want metalheads opinions expressed when you said "Don't post again".

[MATTTHEMOP]

didnt know he was gay, but it hasnt changed my appreciation for their music. they are an awesome band.

[carsonh76]

here's the deal. REM is a great band. it doesnt matter if Michael is gay or not. i dont mind gay people at all they are great, as long as they ont throw it in your face and wear it like a ****ing badge.

This column is aghast with complete ignorance.

No more Arguments about 'Talent' too. Both sides of the argument are as blatantly biased and moronic as eachother.

Anyhoo, like most people here, I was never aware Stipe was gay. Makes sense now though, come to think of it. Great band, anyway.

Checked/De-Spammed/Warning distributed.

[slayerbizkit]

How is this news relevant to guitarists? I do not know.

[gitarzero89]

eh, knew this for awhile. can't say i agree with the lifestyle, but won't hold it against him. he's still one of the best singers in rock.

and REM's my like third favorite band (only sonic youth and radiohead are higher) so this will NOT change my opinion of them. i am, however, slightly disappointed that "Be Mine" could be about a dude, cause that song reminds me of a girl i like.

and for the record: it takes an extreme amount of talent to play heavy metal, but REM has always been about songwriting first, so everyone arguing about heavy metal vs. REM is just comparing apples to oranges.

[IsThereLoveInSp]

Stipe is so ****ing awesome, he can do what he wants.

[RVM]

says the justin hawkins fan?

[Nirvana_rocks73]

Good for him. He seems like a nice guy.

[freebird22891]

Their new single is called Supernatural Superserious.

Anyone who can use the word 'super' twice in a song title must be gay.

Just kidding, I don't judge.
Good for him.

[CoolDudeMorgasm]

I had no idea he was gay.

[catchtherainbow]

Just another blabbering to promote the latest album. That was totally unnecessary.

[FooCards]

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway


and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

im not a huge fan on R.E.M. but I agree that I'm so sick of tired of these narrow-minded metal heads that love metal and think everything else is crap. and then they call themselves huge music fans, they are ignorant little 14 y/o slipknot fans, well guess what, look where slipknot is now.

[free_your_mind]

willy_99 wrote:

he can have sex with animals for all i care, hes still an amazing singer

whats wrong with having sex with animals?

[deathbyawesome]

I'm seeing them june 18th, so pumped.

[gonegonegone]

:o Michael Stipe's gay!? BREAKING NEWS!!!

[vabrownsfan89]

i love how an article about stipe being gay becomes a huge battle between death metal and REM

[ripjoestrummer]

CousticStrangla wrote:

I'm not gonne lie, I don't want my fav artists to be gay. Last thing I want is to hear a great song and relate the lyrics to a girlfriend then find out the song was written about a dude. Nastah!

Fortunately, I'm not an REM fan.

I'm going to have to call you a douchebag, look at Queen and Freddie Murcury, they wrote plenty of songs that were actually about women, not men. Ignorant douchefag...

checked.

[recliner33]

free_your_mind wrote:

willy_99 wrote:

he can have sex with animals for all i care, hes still an amazing singerwhats wrong with having sex with animals?

People in the business like to call it...interspecies erotica!!!

[FlyingVManiac]

recliner33 wrote:

free_your_mind wrote:

willy_99 wrote:

he can have sex with animals for all i care, hes still an amazing singerwhats wrong with having sex with animals?

People in the business like to call it...interspecies erotica!!!

Fuckin Clerks II, i love that show!

[JohnnyGoo]

akaDan wrote:

Blink_mark wrote:

akaDan wrote:

I honestly couldn't care what sexuality my favourite artists are, as long as they don't flaunt it like a ****ing idiot. I hate it when people base their entire pesonality around their sexuality. This goes for straight people who always talk about hot women and the stereotype of gay men.

Agreed, i like the way alot of people stereotype gay men/women:

if you have short hair and your a woman then your gay

If you look after your apperence then your gay

Small minded people feel they need to judge everyone they meet so they can justify how to treat them


Well yes, but I meant that I hate it when people feel the need to base their personality on their sexuality. For example, a straight man always talking about hot women and a homosexual man always acting really camp. It's not necassary. Be normal.

Well said.

[tobinator91]

my pet is a purple turtle, my life has been hopping mamoth hurrdles, and gays lead everybody else's ways.

[StringsofBlack]

free_your_mind wrote:

willy_99 wrote:

he can have sex with animals for all i care, hes still an amazing singer
whats wrong with having sex with animals?

Umm its illegal.

[StratDune]

In some other article i think he said he's bi ... but anyway, "Accelerate"!! Yippee for that.

[Jeffray85]

i thought this was a guitar site.

[Seidenschnur]

How has America come to openly encourage and love gays, but I can't smoke in a bar or I could be fined or possibly arrested? Smoking a cigarette or sodomy? Who's the real deviant here?

[Draken]

Seidenschnur wrote:

How has America come to openly encourage and love gays, but I can't smoke in a bar or I could be fined or possibly arrested? Smoking a cigarette or sodomy? Who's the real deviant here?

Neither of you, juedo-christian morality is quaint i'll admit but rather irrelevant in the modern age.

[empiggy]

Seidenschnur wrote:

How has America come to openly encourage and love gays, but I can't smoke in a bar or I could be fined or possibly arrested? Smoking a cigarette or sodomy? Who's the real deviant here?

Because smoking a cigarette is not only damaging your health, but the health of everyone around you. Possibly leading to cancer.
I'm not aware that anything like this occurs from 'sodomy'. Except for STD's, if you're being unsafe...

[Huggy (-.-)]

Blink_mark wrote:

ALLmustPAY wrote:

eh whatever who cares, they suck anyway

and let me guess some death metal shit that makes no sense rule

REM are ledgendry and they will be around for many years to come

well said

[Sixpack5001]

Good for him for being honest about it.

[Like I Is]

What?! Stipe's gay?!

[andrewofhackney]

always a ****in argument about something aint there? if its not myspace its youtube comments, if its not youtube comments its UG comments! god dammit!!
Who gives a shit if hes gay? is it gonna stop you buying REM records now u know? coz if u buy music based on the artists sexuality then u need a slap round the face. Freddie Mercury is gay, gonna stop listenin to queen?

Im not a deep REM fan, but i love alot of their stuff. May they rock Old Trafford C.C.C.

[Black Revolver]

REM have some top tunes, and i dont think it really matters if anyone in a band is gay but its kool that they're comfortable with it

[Shread_6009]

You know what? its great the guy can be open about being gay, i respect and support that. to the people talkin about being flamboyantly gay and basig theyre whole personality on being gay, please. real gay people dont dress up real pretty, or wear really tight, see-through clothes o hang out at gay bars. the media spreads this image only to make money and depict a stero type.

[MetelxManiac]

I was reading about the Death Metal over REM discussion....I love both REM and Black/Death metal. If you wanna hear both worlds, Graveworm covered Loosing my religion. Both versions are great although the original is better.

[g8erfan1]

It's not about sexuality, it's about the music. Plain and simple. Stipe is an amazing front man, and that's what he will be remembered for, and that's all that matters.

[motorbreath_445]

he is a totally amazing frontman, but i still dont see the need for everyone to make a big deal about him being gay. who gives a shit as long as hes creating good music anyway?

[RVM]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MuHayrdAP_k

[AngelX13]

Who cares if he's gay? R.E.M. is awesome.

[piff665]

Michael Stipe being gay isnt really news; hes been open about it for about 10 years and maybe even longer. That being said, however, its great that he is true to himself and open. Being gay has nothing to do with the music that someone makes though.

[the boogieman]

willy_99 wrote:

he can have sex with animals for all i care, hes still an amazing singer

+1

Checked.

[5250]

I'm openly heterosexual. I feel it is important for people to be open about their sexuality, even if they are not public figures. I've been a heterosexual for 35 years now, and find that people really have an open mind and accept me for who I'am. For many years I struggled with my heterosexuality, and it was not until I met my wife that I had the courage to come out as straight.

[nolson44]

just saying
freddy mecury was gay
who cares if hes gay or not
its not that big of a deal
just cus theyre gay doesnt mean you should write them off as an artist
both queen and R.E.M. are awesome
it really doesnt matter