# Music groups with openly gay members? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 27, 2005, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899 "2005-11-27T07:47:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Amaranta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Amaranta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amaranta)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/41 "2005-11-27T21:38:06Z")
> [@lost in cyberspace](#): > > Jann Arden, she doesn’t hide it, but most people don’t know I’d never heard that before. Interesting. The Google Ads seem quite convinced that Huey Lewis is gay. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/42 "2005-11-27T21:52:20Z")
So nobody’s got **the Buzzcocks** yet? Pete Shelley is openly gay, Howard Devoto is assumed to be. Shelley went on to write and record the song “Homo Sapien” in the 80s, which was the gayest song since “Jet Boy Jet Girl.” Dave Vanian of **The Damned** was gay. He is the author of “Jet Boy Jet Girl.” Captain Sensible may have been gay, too. There is also an entire subgenre of west coast punk known as “Queercore.” ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/43 "2005-11-27T21:55:34Z")
> [@cthiax](#): > > > [@zoogirl](#): > > > > I’ve heard a lot of rumours about Joan Jett. > > She came out in the 90s, I think. I can’t find anything online about this, although I did see that she appeared on Ellen. Anyone got a cite? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/44 "2005-11-27T22:40:14Z")
I don’t think Joan Jett every officially came out. I could be wrong, of course, but I think I would have heard about it. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/45 "2005-11-27T23:11:08Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > **betenoir** , you can’t be serious about the Village People. Other than lead singer Ray Simpson (the cop), and his predecessor Victor Willis, they were gay. I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m serious. I just remember hearing that Felipe Rose was the only one who was gay. And the only cite I could come up with one way or the other said : > **[Village People](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Village_People)** > > Village People is an American disco group known for its on-stage costumes and suggestive lyrics in their music. The group was originally formed by French producers Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo and lead singer Victor Willis following the release of the debut album Village People, which targeted disco's large gay audience. The group's name refers to Manhattan's Greenwich Village, with its reputation as a gay neighborhood. The characters were a symbolic group of American masculinity and mac The g... "Felipe Rose (the Native American - and the only member who was actually gay) " Could be wrong but I kind of like living in a world where John Wayne wears women’s underwear and the Village People were straight…just more interesting that way 🙂 . ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/46 "2005-11-27T23:13:36Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > So nobody’s got **the Buzzcocks** yet? Pete Shelley is openly gay, Howard Devoto is assumed to be. Shelley went on to write and record the song “Homo Sapien” in the 80s, which was the gayest song since “Jet Boy Jet Girl.” :smack: I can’t believe I forgot Pete Shelly. I love that song. Oh…how bout that guy from Judus Priest? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/47 "2005-11-27T23:16:11Z")
> [@betenoir](#): > > Oh…how bout that guy from Judus Priest? Mentioned in the OP, and four other posts in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/48 "2005-11-27T23:58:38Z")
> [@betenoir](#): > > Oh…how bout that guy from Judus Priest? [Rob Halford.](http://www.worth1000.com/web/media/29909/1/robhalford2.jpg) Man, nobody saw _that_ coming. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/49 "2005-11-28T02:33:33Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > **Scissor Sisters** - Jake Shears and Baby Daddy are both gay, not sure about the other members. Their guitarist Del Marquis is also gay. Drummer Paddy Boom is straight. ---
**Author:** ![buns3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@buns3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buns3000)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/50 "2005-11-28T02:54:08Z")
Tom Robinson is gay. Dan “Instant Replay” Hardman was also gay. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/51 "2005-11-28T02:59:00Z")
Lesley Woods of the British post-punk band [The Au Pairs](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781ED84AA97320C2933945CFB575F30FDF45FB881F264B53DDB33068850262EC5DFC85D3E2A528F811D9B959ED0974B686EF57E3DE61223F8DEEA32C31344E0002214690A897&sql=11:r9axlfhe5cqe~T1) is a lesbian. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/52 "2005-11-28T04:13:55Z")
> [@buns3000](#): > > Dan “Instant Replay” Hardman was also gay. I bet with a name like that his partners considered him a good find. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/53 "2005-11-28T04:16:03Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > I bet with a name like that his partners considered him a good find. If only. His last name is actually just Hartman. ---
**Author:** ![Analogue\_Skywalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Analogue\_Skywalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Analogue_Skywalker)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/54 "2005-11-28T04:28:03Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > Dave Vanian of **The Damned** was gay. He is the author of “Jet Boy Jet Girl.” Captain Sensible may have been gay, too. “Jet Boy Jet Girl” was written by Elton Motello then covered by Captain Sensible. It was written by Motello even though its the same song as “Ca Plane Pour Moi” written by Plastic Bertrand ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/55 "2005-11-28T04:59:24Z")
Both halves of Canadian indie-pop group [Tegan and Sara](http://www.rainbownetwork.com/Music/detail.asp?iData=21854&iCat=112&iChannel=17&nChannel=Music) are lesbians. They’re also twin sisters. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_in\_second\_hand\_clothing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9d8465/32.png) [@wolf\_in\_second\_hand\_clothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_in_second_hand_clothing)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/56 "2005-11-28T06:41:01Z")
The Blood Brothers. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/57 "2005-11-28T07:57:16Z")
newer bands but I think two members of AFI are gay including the singer and I’ve heard the singer of My Chemical Romance is bisexual, and I recall hearing something about Maynard James Keenan of Tool but I could definitely be wrong about him. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/58 "2005-11-28T09:41:49Z")
I’m not tied into Entertainment news closely enough to vouch for the accuracy of this (I’m sure someone here will come along and refute or support me), but I’m pretty sure that Billie Joe and maybe one other member of _Green Day_ have come out as being gay, or more likely bi. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/59 "2005-11-28T15:22:54Z")
**Polycarp** , much as I love you, I’m going to have to correct you. Boyzone were an _Irish_ boy-band who were actually pretty big in the Uk and Ireland in the 90s. From their Vh1 bio: [http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/boyzone/bio.jhtml](http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/boyzone/bio.jhtml) “Their first twelve singles reached the top five and they became the first Irish act to have four number one hits in the United Kingdom. Their 1998 tour of Ireland shattered all sales records when 35,000 tickets were sold out in four hours.” Only one of the five members- Stephen Gately- is gay. Likewise (and I should have thought of this earlier) Mark Feehily, one of the members of Westlife, the current “big” Irish boyband, recently came out, and is planning to marry his long-term partner in the new year. Westlife are also horribly successful: “Westlife scores their 17th consecutive UK top 5 hit with “Obvious”. They also have 4 UK #1 albums, and 6 UK top 3 albums!” [http://www.westlife.org/](http://www.westlife.org/) [http://www.westlife.com/](http://www.westlife.com/) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899/60 "2005-11-28T17:32:58Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > [Elton John] proclaimed he was bisexual in the 70s. And even if he hadn’t, it’s hard to mistake the meaning of “Philadelphia Freedom.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-groups-with-openly-gay-members/332899.md?page=4)