Audience member called Freddie a gay slur?

Freddie used the term 'faggots' himself. He said this is for all the 'faggots out there '

I think it was meant as an endearment in a moment of frustration but that doesn't mean it wasn't also hurtful. At the time people did use that word a lot more, which isn't an excuse, but most people weren't recorded. I would guess, and hope, that Geldof himself might cringe if he saw that today.

I don't know how their relationship was and maybe Geldof would have been comfortable using that word in front of Freddie and maybe Freddie didn't mind. Such things happen, black comedians have done bits where they encounter white guys who use the n-word freely because they say that some other black guy gave them "a pass". I think Chevy Chase tried to use that excuse when he used the n-word on the set of Community. People like that don't understand that even if some friend of theirs gave them such a "pass", it isn't a universal pass. Other people might still be hurt.

I don't think the point of a discussion like this should be shaming people, it should be trying learn from the mistakes of the past.

I don't think anyone is being shamed here. I think we all know it isn't a word commonly used now, not that I know of, but back then were different times. It's not worth getting upset now over something Bob Geldof said over 30 years ago.

I don't think he'd cringe seeing it now as he knew the context and his relationship. Phil Collins also said something clearly tongue in cheek in that. So did Ratty. So did Steven Berkov. It's all super. Like a roast.

Thank you all so much. There are two sides and I was interested in seeing if there was an audio at least. Thanks for your time and attention!??

I like Phil Collins . But the " Fred is a real one off, you cant get too many like him" (loughs) quote, from the MTV rockumentary used to irritate me.