clarification of Thor Arnold's role in Freddie's life

Captainjory: I have a photo of her on her hands and knees in an abbey...but I don't think I should post it in case she finds me lol

You better not! You know she can find you even after you've departed, right? Lol!

No worries, Catus. I hope you're loving it in Canada now. :)

I love when forum participants talk back and forth with each ther about Freddie, or really about ANYTHING
they may want to weigh in on or especially, tell their own experiences with Freddie and Queen music.
Soooooooo interesting. Thanks to all.

I will get back to any questions asked on page 103 or 104.

BIG welcome to Catus! You have found a great and evolving discussion with some very outstanding contributors and fans.

ther = other, sorry

Thor, I've got a question...about 70s New York. Okay so I remember you said you worked in gay bars from 1974 onwards. Was there a main part of New York designated for gay bars? Greenwich Village? What was it generally like there for gay people, as in how were they treated by non-gays? Did it feel safe? What were your general feelings about the community at that time?

I am looking for information specifically related to the early to mid-1970s...for something I'm writing set in that time. I could probably Google it, but it's more fun talking to someone who was there...

Thor, I have sent you a PM. :)

[QUOTE] [b]Villiers wrote:[/b]

Rainbow, everything from David Evans and Minns (Minnsy) is excellent and matches up with stories from other trusted sources. David Minns was Freddie's first proper boyfriend (who he 'left' Mary for). They had released the book under a few different titles, but I own them all and they're all mostly the same. Although if you're looking for a REALLY good read, go for the kindle version (has to be kindle) of This Was The Real Life. It includes a long piece from David Minns about his time dating Freddie and he gives really interesting insight to what Freddie was like at the time. 75/76. He mentions Freddie being too afraid to come out as gay so he called it bi bc it as fashionable to be that back then and his coming home angry after having lunch with his parents.... turns out his family knew he was gay and heard about his being with men at some point before that and his mother made him very uncomfortable asking him about it at those lunches. Which is why Mary was usually invited (even in later years, as told by Jim Hutton). Freddie had been upset and confided in an early fan club leader saying "I'm gay and I can't say anything because it'll ruin everything". Which...also matches up with the things Minns had in his book. It's all so sad that he had been made to feel that way. Anyway, here's a pic of it if you're interested! This version was released after Minns passed away in 2007. That's why Evans decided to include it. Hope you enjoy![/QUOTE]

I totally agree with everything here. I loved this book and I read the earlier versions too, it's clear David Evans was a real friend.....and Thor, this was one of the people I was thinking of when I said to you right at the beginning that I was grateful for the opportunity to say how sorry I was about what happened to the gay community during the 80's with AIDS and the stigma attached to it. It was terrible, and I always wanted to reach out to David Evans, hearing some of the things he says about Freddie and David (Minns) no longer being around really touched me.

Rainbow, I too would recommend this book. :-)

Thor, thank you so much for the warm welcome! I am looking forward to following this great conversation.

captainjory,


What a delightful story. SOOOO funny! I think your friend should get in touch with Gwyddan and the authors of "Conversations With Freddie Mercury". Imagine sitting in on their group conversation!

Noorie,

$3028.99 on Amazon Canada! That seemed out of reach for me, but then I remembered we have a favorable exchange rate here in the US, so it would only cost $2374.73!

Thanks SmokyQuartz and Villiers,

I will look into the book. It sounds like one I would really enjoy!

Thor,

Following up on captainjory's question...Did Freddie ever make any comparisons between the gay bars in NYC and London? If so, what did he have to say about them?

I think the thread has grown a page or 2 since Lee checked in. And he was only on page 50. Poor guy will never catch up at this rate! Lol sorry, Lee! We get to chatting in here and everyone is really easy to talk to, so you'll have plenty to read lol

Hahaha Rainbow, now I can really afford it! I honestly cannot imagine why that book costs so much! Or who will ever buy it!

Lee still works and has a nearly full-time job. Please be patient. He is keeping a notebook of things and dates I have
made mistakes on. As this Forum is based on truth. I really want to correct any errors in this crazy 105 page novel...LOL
I am meeting up with him again right after Thanksgiving. Friday with Brandon, Saturday and Sunday with Chuck
(my second oldest lasting friend since 1976) Lee would be my first longest friend when we met on my 20th birthday
in 1975 along with my ex Joe Scardilli. Poor John, once again I am not sure if I met him at the same time as Lee and
Joe, or later on.