Judas Priest’s Rob Halford calls for LGBTQ+ equality

(Image credit: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic - Getty)

Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford says it’s unfortunate that some people’s attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community haven’t “moved on.”

Halford, who came out as gay in 1998, reports that it’s a shame that in this day and age, people remain divided and says life's too short to harbour negative mindsets.

He tells Kerrang: “We’ve still got a long way to go. I think the LGBTQ community, as we call ourselves now, still have to figure a lot out in terms of equality. 

“But much like metal was regarded as the black sheep of rock’n’roll – with people being like, ‘Oh, you don’t like heavy metal, do you? That’s not music. That’s crap’ – you can apply that same thing to the gay community. 

“It’s a similar experience in some of its elements. But then again, it’s 2018 and we still talk about sexual orientation, skin colour, or ‘my religion’s better than yours’. 

“You’d think there would have been some kind of change and people would have moved on after such a long time. 

“Now that I’m moving through my OAP heavy metal years, I thought a lot of it would be gone by now. And it’s a shame.” 

Halford adds: “We don’t really get to spend a lot of time on this planet together, so there’s no point in wasting it being divided. Love yourself, love each other, and love heavy fucking metal!”

Priest are currently on tour across Europe in support of their latest studio album Firepower – and will headline the UK’s Bloodstock festival this weekend.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 36 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 11 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.