Yes, and that's the sad part of it. Back then, if you came out as gay it could ruin your career. Imagine working as hard as Freddie and the boys did in the beginning, just to be slammed by the press because you arent bisexual, but gay. It make no sense, but that's just how It was back then. Such a shame because many a gay entertainer have had to cover it up. Their sexuality shouldn't have had any effect on their legacy. Poor Liberace denied it his entire life (although LESBI-HONEST, we all knew LOL). The man even sued a mahazine for trying to out him once. His estate still claims he didnt die of an AIDS related illness when he definitely did. All because of the fear of whay it would do to his career. I'd like to think that the majority of the world is more open minded these days...excluding Stop The Madness, of course.
Thread
Posts in chronological order
I love the idea of Freddie being too shy to approach someone in a club. It's just one more endearing thing about him. Mind you, as someone else pointed out here already there's nothing shy about walking up to Jim and demanding to know how big his member was. Maybe the showbiz sherbet gave him extra confidence that night. ;) But I can imagine rejection would be hard for Freddie - if nothing else he might have envisioned some guy telling all his friends that Freddie Mercury asked him out and he rejected him. On the subject of sticky rejections I was at a wedding in Scotland on Saturday and the best man shared a story about how the groom worked in the Virgin megastore and really fancied a girl who worked alongside him. He never had the nerve to even talk to her as she was so beautiful but a few years later he bumped into her again and decided to just go for it. She asked how he was doing and he innocently replied "I'm still at Virgin". The girl blushed and assured him that he'd meet somebody special one day and then hurried away. I know that's not Freddie related but I'm still chuckling about that and thought you'd get a kick out of it. :)
As far as my question about Freddie being open about who he dated in NYC, I was referring more to subtle social cues. Often you see two people in public who give off the "couple vibe" If you are really paying attention you can just tell they are" together" even if you don't see the typical overt signs. So I was wondering if Freddie even allowed himself even those subtle forms of affection/expression in public or did his responsibilities to the band...family considerations etc. overrule such displays?
Thor,
Will be interested to hear about your jury experience. About a decade ago I did grand jury duty. It was a couple times a week for over a month. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only was it interesting, but I was pleasantly surprised how seriously the grand jury panel took their duty. Much discussion...nothing the DA presented was rubber stamped.
I wonder how jury duty works in other countries? Would Freddie have ever received a notice to report for jury duty?.... "Sorry, I will be unavailable at that that time...will be in the middle of a world tour with my band!"
Will be interested to hear about your jury experience. About a decade ago I did grand jury duty. It was a couple times a week for over a month. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only was it interesting, but I was pleasantly surprised how seriously the grand jury panel took their duty. Much discussion...nothing the DA presented was rubber stamped.
I wonder how jury duty works in other countries? Would Freddie have ever received a notice to report for jury duty?.... "Sorry, I will be unavailable at that that time...will be in the middle of a world tour with my band!"
Hi Thor,Hi Lee
Thanks for the new thread, I think this will be interesting as the previous one.
Lee, we have already asked Thor for this and I would like you to tell us which Freddie's and Queen's song,album and music video you like most?
Question for both of you: we know about the female nicknames he called his male friends. How many Freddie called you with your real names and how many with nicknames?
When did you talk with him did you used more Freddie or more "Melina"?Have you ever been bothered by these female nicknames?
Thanks for the new thread, I think this will be interesting as the previous one.
Lee, we have already asked Thor for this and I would like you to tell us which Freddie's and Queen's song,album and music video you like most?
Question for both of you: we know about the female nicknames he called his male friends. How many Freddie called you with your real names and how many with nicknames?
When did you talk with him did you used more Freddie or more "Melina"?Have you ever been bothered by these female nicknames?
Dustin
That was funny. I’d like to think we were clever and inviting. LOL
That was funny. I’d like to think we were clever and inviting. LOL
Dustin
That was funny. I’d like to think we were clever and inviting. LOL
That was funny. I’d like to think we were clever and inviting. LOL
Lots of comments to catch up on today.
I checked the thread a couple of times today, and then WOW...........the participation is fantastic.
Where should we start?
The first thing I wanna say will cover several subjects.
One thing that struck me about Freddie is that when we went out, if he was recognized, he was recognized. In the gay bars there might have been
some whispering when they saw him, but I don't remember anyone being offensive. They were very respectful. Thor, do you remember any "crazies" when we were out and about? I don't remember ANY time that his being spotted made it to the tabloids. It was a non issue almost.
Freddie enjoyed going to see Thor at work, the leather bars, Studio 54, and the Saint. The Saint might have been where I first met him........or it might have been Uncle Charlie's Video Bar. I found him to be himself when we were out, but a bit more reserved. He never made a scene. There WAS a night out that I'll never forget. We went out in Chicago after the concert, and as we were dancing, Freddie got into it, and all of a sudden he was being lifted into the air by others on the floor........people that we didn't know. I don't remember if they knew it was him, or they were just helping someone having a good time to have a better time........he had a HUGE smile on his face.
As far as Freddie and Bill being out together, Bill was pretty low key, unless he was starting an argument
The nicknames.........for some reason Peter and I were always Phoebe and Kathleen. As proper daughters we referred to him as Mother. I don't think I ever called him Melina. Friends of his that we would meet, DID call him Melina, and he referred to himself as Mother most of the time. I got a kick out of it, but as a rule when I talk about Freddie and our Friendship, I pick and choose who I tell about the Kathleen saga. Joe and John weren't around as much, and more often than not they were Joe and John.........and who would want to mess with the name Thor? LOL It doesn't get better than that. HA !
One time he referred to himself as Melina sticks in my mind as my favorite. It is actually a video used in Freddie's Loves. He was in a REALLY good mood, and when the camera got to him he sang, "EVERY NIGHTS A PARTIE.......AND MELINA'S MANSION". I wish we had audio here, as his inflection was hysterical.
If Freddie had lived a full life WOULD he have eventually come out. Hard to say. Queen would still be going strong, that's for sure.
I'm jumping around here..........what have I left out?
I checked the thread a couple of times today, and then WOW...........the participation is fantastic.
Where should we start?
The first thing I wanna say will cover several subjects.
One thing that struck me about Freddie is that when we went out, if he was recognized, he was recognized. In the gay bars there might have been
some whispering when they saw him, but I don't remember anyone being offensive. They were very respectful. Thor, do you remember any "crazies" when we were out and about? I don't remember ANY time that his being spotted made it to the tabloids. It was a non issue almost.
Freddie enjoyed going to see Thor at work, the leather bars, Studio 54, and the Saint. The Saint might have been where I first met him........or it might have been Uncle Charlie's Video Bar. I found him to be himself when we were out, but a bit more reserved. He never made a scene. There WAS a night out that I'll never forget. We went out in Chicago after the concert, and as we were dancing, Freddie got into it, and all of a sudden he was being lifted into the air by others on the floor........people that we didn't know. I don't remember if they knew it was him, or they were just helping someone having a good time to have a better time........he had a HUGE smile on his face.
As far as Freddie and Bill being out together, Bill was pretty low key, unless he was starting an argument
The nicknames.........for some reason Peter and I were always Phoebe and Kathleen. As proper daughters we referred to him as Mother. I don't think I ever called him Melina. Friends of his that we would meet, DID call him Melina, and he referred to himself as Mother most of the time. I got a kick out of it, but as a rule when I talk about Freddie and our Friendship, I pick and choose who I tell about the Kathleen saga. Joe and John weren't around as much, and more often than not they were Joe and John.........and who would want to mess with the name Thor? LOL It doesn't get better than that. HA !
One time he referred to himself as Melina sticks in my mind as my favorite. It is actually a video used in Freddie's Loves. He was in a REALLY good mood, and when the camera got to him he sang, "EVERY NIGHTS A PARTIE.......AND MELINA'S MANSION". I wish we had audio here, as his inflection was hysterical.
If Freddie had lived a full life WOULD he have eventually come out. Hard to say. Queen would still be going strong, that's for sure.
I'm jumping around here..........what have I left out?
Apocolipsis_Darko
I'm gonna ask Thor about accuracy here, but I think Cruising showed it how it was........maybe only the "darker" aspects, of course, but all that WAS going on. As far as the gay population being offended..........somebody is always offended by something, but the gay population on New York knew that this scene was prevalent, AND they also knew there were many other scenes through the city in the late 70's and early 80's.
I'm gonna ask Thor about accuracy here, but I think Cruising showed it how it was........maybe only the "darker" aspects, of course, but all that WAS going on. As far as the gay population being offended..........somebody is always offended by something, but the gay population on New York knew that this scene was prevalent, AND they also knew there were many other scenes through the city in the late 70's and early 80's.
Bienkolove
That thought line about susceptible tissue in the mouth would truly be a conversation starter. It is not unusual, that when discussing safer sex, that it is suggested that one doesn't brush their teeth, there by exposing delicate tissue to invasion. That brings the conversation to the subject of kissing. My Doctor in L.A., who I will not give up even though I now live in Palm Springs, is brilliant, and has had many AIDS patients in his practice. Speaking as a gay man HE once told me "if you got it from kissing, we all would have it." I have remained HIV Negative, I am tested regularly, and I have been tested over 40 times since the test started in 1986. Whatever I'm doing, I'm doing the right thing.
That thought line about susceptible tissue in the mouth would truly be a conversation starter. It is not unusual, that when discussing safer sex, that it is suggested that one doesn't brush their teeth, there by exposing delicate tissue to invasion. That brings the conversation to the subject of kissing. My Doctor in L.A., who I will not give up even though I now live in Palm Springs, is brilliant, and has had many AIDS patients in his practice. Speaking as a gay man HE once told me "if you got it from kissing, we all would have it." I have remained HIV Negative, I am tested regularly, and I have been tested over 40 times since the test started in 1986. Whatever I'm doing, I'm doing the right thing.
Lee, you are a born storyteller! I'm having so much fun reading this thread. I could be way off on this, but I thought I remembered Thor saying Freddie wasn't a very good dancer. Am I imagining that? What did you think? He moved so well on stage that it's hard to think of him as anything but great on a dance floor.
LOL
Kaydyd5
I was JUST going to answer your question from page 4.
I said Freddie was getting "into it"........I didn't say he was dancing well......LOL LOL
That's probably why he was smiling when they lifted him up and started throwing him around........
His concerts speak for themselves. That man could move.......disco dancing? John Travolta would have had nothing to worry about LOL
DO ask Thor to tell the first night story again. I always enjoy hearing it. I try to get him to give actual dialogue, which would register to me as I know their voices, speech delivery, and attitude. You made me smile, PS.
Kaydyd5
I was JUST going to answer your question from page 4.
I said Freddie was getting "into it"........I didn't say he was dancing well......LOL LOL
That's probably why he was smiling when they lifted him up and started throwing him around........
His concerts speak for themselves. That man could move.......disco dancing? John Travolta would have had nothing to worry about LOL
DO ask Thor to tell the first night story again. I always enjoy hearing it. I try to get him to give actual dialogue, which would register to me as I know their voices, speech delivery, and attitude. You made me smile, PS.
Villiers
You are an attorney? Did you say that?
You are an attorney? Did you say that?
An ordinary question :
That you know of....aside from maybe a great big feast procured by Phoebe and maybe a tree...did Freddie do the "Christmas" celebration thing each year?
Mass... broadcast or anything like that.
I'm non religious, just trying to get my mind rolling.
Also....if ever. ...was Freddie a prankster?
I've never heard any such story related. Closest thing I've read was Thor's story regarding backstage food selections and his demand for abundant hot food items. (*only to never have a bite) ...but that hardly qualifies as an intentional feat
That you know of....aside from maybe a great big feast procured by Phoebe and maybe a tree...did Freddie do the "Christmas" celebration thing each year?
Mass... broadcast or anything like that.
I'm non religious, just trying to get my mind rolling.
Also....if ever. ...was Freddie a prankster?
I've never heard any such story related. Closest thing I've read was Thor's story regarding backstage food selections and his demand for abundant hot food items. (*only to never have a bite) ...but that hardly qualifies as an intentional feat
LOL! I wonder why there was a difference between moving on stage and dancing in a club. I'll be honest and admit that his go at ballet was, shall we say, courageous. I think it's fun, and even sweet, but not exactly gifted. However, he's mesmerizing on the rock stage. Why didn't it translate ?
Thor, you see that Lee suggested you tell the first night story again complete with dialogue! I'm all ears. : )
Thor, you see that Lee suggested you tell the first night story again complete with dialogue! I'm all ears. : )