Ok, attempt number 2.
On the topic of intolerance. I'm under 50 but over 40 (21 in my head) but I remember those times. As a hetero female I wasn't directly affected but the intolerance was quite marked.
I was 21 when Freddie died and very saddened to hear of his death. However, at that time I was a member of a strict, fundamentalist church where you were not allowed to be tolerant of homosexuals, never mind be one. You also weren't supposed to listen to 'secular' music as it was apparently from the devil *rolls eyes.
One of the church leaders actually said at the time "well, it was his own doing, he reaped what he sowed." This, from an organisation who were supposed to be compassionate. I left years ago and haven't looked back.
As this year was the 50th anniversary of decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK, there were several documentaries on with people relating their stories. Apparently persecution and arrests increased after 1967 . Those times certainly were hostile. More than many of us realised.
A question: did any of Freddie's biographer's ever contact you directly? It's just that they just seem to regurgitate the same old lies. As well as the crap about Barbara V, they all claim John Murphy was his lover and the latest one, published last year, claims that you regularly flew to meet Freddie for sex after that first night. It's great that you're able to debunk some of the rubbish written.
Have you read Peter Freestone's blog: 'Ask Phoebe?' If, not, I really recommend it. He invites people to ask questions about Freddie then updates every few months, bearing in mind he's a busy man and it's lovely that he gives up his time.
I really hope this posts. I have had a couple of drinks so I also hope it makes some kinda sense too.
PS thank you again for giving up your time to answer our incessant questions.
Thread
Posts in chronological order
Thanks Thor. Now I feel bad as it seems something so private between two friends but truth is, he always showed somehow how he longed for his "big love" :)
Thanks for the sweet memory, I'm so glad he found it with Jim, I absolutely loved how Jim talked about him.
Thanks for the sweet memory, I'm so glad he found it with Jim, I absolutely loved how Jim talked about him.
thundergod wrote:
Hi RBoulain,
The only fear Freddie expressed to me privately during the '80's was that of perhaps never finding a life partner to love him completely.
He was sure of some of his true friends, but not so sure of finding someone who would love him for him and not just his wealth and fame.
I imagine this is why "stars" only seem to be involved with other "stars." However, since Freddie craved "real" people in his life, (well, Straker
seemed to be an exception) I am sure he finally found that in Jim Hutton.
Hello Darthritis,
Actually, yes, Just once I was contacted by biographers and was fooled into giving an interview I thought was legit. It was supposed to be
a tribute to Freddie, but when I found out later it was called "Freddie's Loves" I knew it would be trash.
Actually, yes, Just once I was contacted by biographers and was fooled into giving an interview I thought was legit. It was supposed to be
a tribute to Freddie, but when I found out later it was called "Freddie's Loves" I knew it would be trash.
Yeah, it was on Channel 5. I didn't see it at the time; I watched it a few years later (It's on Youtube). I can totally believe you were misled as Channel 5 is known as a trashy channel but at least you and Lee both came across as genuine. I imagine you felt betrayed though.
They also broadcast a docudrama about Freddie last year which was equally trash. Same old lies.
They also broadcast a docudrama about Freddie last year which was equally trash. Same old lies.
Does anyone know what was Freddie's native language?
Obviously it is one of the official languages of India. I'm thinking it is either Gujarati or Hindi. To be honest i don't know how different or similar these languages are.
Also wonder if the spoken language at his home (meaning Mom Dad and Sister) was English or their native language.
Thor,
During NYC times did Indian food come up at all. NYC has Indian cuisine options in abundance and if i remember correctly from Peter, Indian food had a great influence on Garden Lodge home menu.
Obviously it is one of the official languages of India. I'm thinking it is either Gujarati or Hindi. To be honest i don't know how different or similar these languages are.
Also wonder if the spoken language at his home (meaning Mom Dad and Sister) was English or their native language.
Thor,
During NYC times did Indian food come up at all. NYC has Indian cuisine options in abundance and if i remember correctly from Peter, Indian food had a great influence on Garden Lodge home menu.
Well I would have thought his parents would have spoken Gujarati, just from the region they were from. But some school friends mentioned he knew some basic Hindi. This is just a guess, but I bet they spoke mostly English at home. Just because they sent him to an English speaking school and his father had a job where he would have been required to speak it.
Lol Freddie's Loves is pure trash isn't it!!! Every song was somehow related to his supposed sexual fantasies and of course they had the footage of Barbara lumping around with all the sensational "Oooooh and he was with a WOMMMAAAANN!" Some of it was funny though, hearing about the NYC adventures and the story about him wanting to fly into the concert arena on a giant dick! People criticise Phoebe for talking about his "huge" cock, but I don't get the big deal. I doubt Freddie would be offended. Besides...you could see he wasn't lacking. Oops didn't mean to start talking about that, my hand slipped.
But yeah the Docu Drama had me cringing so hard. In the late 70s scenes, "Freddie" looked more like Rupert Everett in drag. The only interesting bits for me were from Terry, Ratty and Mack (esp. with Mack's new info that Paul Prenter drugged him unexpectedly at his 39th party) The Barbara stuff just wound me up cos it set off the whole sexuality debate again online with some people praising it for telling the "bisexual truth". Grr.
Lol Freddie's Loves is pure trash isn't it!!! Every song was somehow related to his supposed sexual fantasies and of course they had the footage of Barbara lumping around with all the sensational "Oooooh and he was with a WOMMMAAAANN!" Some of it was funny though, hearing about the NYC adventures and the story about him wanting to fly into the concert arena on a giant dick! People criticise Phoebe for talking about his "huge" cock, but I don't get the big deal. I doubt Freddie would be offended. Besides...you could see he wasn't lacking. Oops didn't mean to start talking about that, my hand slipped.
But yeah the Docu Drama had me cringing so hard. In the late 70s scenes, "Freddie" looked more like Rupert Everett in drag. The only interesting bits for me were from Terry, Ratty and Mack (esp. with Mack's new info that Paul Prenter drugged him unexpectedly at his 39th party) The Barbara stuff just wound me up cos it set off the whole sexuality debate again online with some people praising it for telling the "bisexual truth". Grr.
I had to watch that documentary you talked about. It actually is on YouTube and I also checked out the comments section. Under Part 4 someone mentions this thread and not in a kind way. But I do find it funny that the word sponge is featured in that comment and right here with "Sponge Caves".
thundergod wrote:
As I have said, if I were him in the '80's, I would have
concealed my sexuality too. It was SUCH an intolerant time, anyone under 40 (maybe even under 50) probably can not really understand.
^^ This perspective is absolutely needed in the Queendom. I keep trying to explain to people that they need to put Freddie within the context of his time. (also the industry he was in, and his upbringing had an influence on this)
But people don't understand Old-Timey gays' need to conceal their sexuality by forcing themselves to be with women. Young people just argue it's "bisexual erasure" when actually it was a case of compulsory heterosexuality.
Slightly off topic: the craziest thing I've seen on the internet about Freddie this week: "Anyone calling Freddie Mercury homosexual is anti-women. Saying Barbara lied is sexism. Claiming he was using Mary to look straight is also sexism." What a ridiculous statement.
FlashElephant wrote:
I had to watch that documentary you talked about. It actually is on YouTube and I also checked out the comments section. Under Part 4 someone mentions this thread and not in a kind way. But I do find it funny that the word sponge is featured in that comment and right here with "Sponge Caves".
Oh my god, I've just had a look. Some of these 'fans' are vile.
I saw it. Not only is that asshole calling Thor an attention whore, but he or she is insulting all of us who are speaking with him. Anyone of y'all who might have a YouTube account, please go set this idiot straight.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-OF3hMTeJJ0
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-OF3hMTeJJ0
I'll tell ya now; this person is only having a fit cos they can't stand the fact Thor calls him gay. That's what it will all boil down to. Homophobia, every time.
captainjory wrote:
thundergod wrote:
As I have said, if I were him in the '80's, I would have
concealed my sexuality too. It was SUCH an intolerant time, anyone under 40 (maybe even under 50) probably can not really understand.
^^ This perspective is absolutely needed in the Queendom. I keep trying to explain to people that they need to put Freddie within the context of his time. (also the industry he was in, and his upbringing had an influence on this)
But people don't understand Old-Timey gays' need to conceal their sexuality by forcing themselves to be with women. Young people just argue it's "bisexual erasure" when actually it was a case of compulsory heterosexuality. PS I am under 40 (30) but simple research has helped me to understand...something these 'fans' would benefit from doing.
Slightly off topic: the craziest thing I've seen on the internet about Freddie this week: "Anyone calling Freddie Mercury homosexual is anti-women. Saying Barbara lied is sexism. Claiming he was using Mary to look straight is also sexism." What a ridiculous statement.
I accidentally quoted my own post...oops lol
Some people are so sad, I mean really. Maybe us to go set him/her straight is what he/she wants so I wonder who is the attention whore here. Unbelievable.
Villiers wrote:
I saw it. Not only is that asshole calling Thor an attention whore, but he or she is insulting all of us who are speaking with him. Anyone of y'all who might have a YouTube account, please go set this idiot straight.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-OF3hMTeJJ0
True. But still. Thor has been nothing but humble this whole time. To call him an attention whore (on another website and without the guts to say it here-coward) is something can't go without correction. If I have to make an account on yt to comment back to this fool I will. Not to mention that I don't appreciate being called a "cock sucking rat dog", and I'm assuming none of you do either.
So here's a message to you, 7389 (REAL brave of you to insult Thor on different website under that username btw) since you seem to check this thread but don't have the guts to comment here: Fuck you <3
Oh, and see ya on youtube.
So here's a message to you, 7389 (REAL brave of you to insult Thor on different website under that username btw) since you seem to check this thread but don't have the guts to comment here: Fuck you <3
Oh, and see ya on youtube.