I'm with you.  Prince has always seemed at the very least open to new experiences....Being in the art world, he's probably become very close to several gay people, even if he's not.  I don't know what he is trying to accomplish (or who he's trying to fool) with these statements.  But that's not really the point.  The point is that he now feels the need to distance himself from those people, in that manner - by making the leap from gay marriage to the Great Flood?  For real homie?  You can't imagine any other solution for a peaceful coexistence between gays and heteros?  For someone with such great artistic genius, he just seems really small-minded.

I can't think of one thing not gay about Prince.

Why is it that if you don't agrre with the "essence" of homosexuality, then it makes you a homophobe?  

Prince always seemed mad gay to me, but all you ever used to hear about was how much poon tang he was getting.  Full Force used to rock tattered man lingerie back in the 80's too, so you can't really judge by clothes.    Whatever the case, Prince needs to stop tripping.

I just finished reading the article Jimi refers to in the New Yorker, and it's interesting, because Prince says (paraphasing) that he stands on what the Bible says, and doesn't come out to say anything directly about gays or lesbians. But I did notice that the article referred to the interview taking place in his "bachleor pad", which means he must have recently gotten divorced from his with he was living with in Canada. If that's the case, he shouldn't be saying anything about who should be married and who should not, because his Bible also talks about divorce. It's the last days, people, so live your life the best way you know how. Be good and work to love each other.

As a Prince fan from back in the day, you understood that dude was probably the most openminded of black artists at the time.  For him to be a p*ssyhound and still wear all of that stuff, you know he could give less than a fart about what you thought of him.

Lo and behold, he finds organized religion and guess what?  Beliefs get tweaked a bit.  And many of us have heard him say some things in the past 2-3 years but gave him a pass.   It baffles the mind that a dude who made a living riding that fine line is so anti now.

But dude was never gay, he used that perception to help fuel that fire that made him a household name.  And in the 80's, he was cool with whoever and whatever you were.  But a few bible thumping sessions with Larry Graham, and now, he is a die-hard fundamentalist who hates homosexuals.

But, he is a musical genius, right?

I think Prince knows what 50 year old men who have had EVERYTHING know. Only a few things really matter.

Thank Lionelane, Prince has never been gay. If you only became aware of Prince during the 80's, then you missed alot of early Prince. Clearly not gay. Prince has adapted his appearence several times, morphing as they call it. Prince was metro before metro became popular. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, it doesn't mean he's trying to distance himself from a seemy past or sh... upon gays. Disagree Jimi.  

this just in: Prince has walked backed from the reported statements.  His spokesperson said that he merely pointed to the bible and said that he followed what it said--without making a judgement.  The reporter supposedly didn't record the interview, so, who knows.

That being said, for all of you who remember the Prince versus Michael Jackson Years in the eighties, isn't it a trip that goody-two shoes Michael USED to be the pious Jehovah's Witness and Prince was the freak?!  wow.

I checked out the interview Prince gave and he did throw out the bible thing. So what! At 50 he's been there, done that. As a hard core fan going back to the days when he was 19 the word GAY is way off. Jimi you should do your homework before you blast someone. You have that thing in your past you'ed like to keep on the low too! Not that your gay but everyone lives and eventually becomes the person that they are today. If he's gay, how would you know? You been THERE, done THAT?

Like most people, Prince came to grips with his mortality (after the millionth coke line and the 1,000th orgy) and found God. Now he is acting like he never had premarital sex before.

I give it to him, dude got skills but honestly, he is irrelevant and he is trying to make himself relevant.

So, you never spoke out on a political issue before and now you are?

I read the New Yorker article on Prince and it has done little to change my mind about him one way or the other. Like a lot of readers, I've been following The Purple One since the first album. I've heard all the critics & all the rabid fans, bought the records and seen the movies. Let's face it, the man is a uniquely talented musical genius...as well as being a total crackpot. (Maybe one has something to do with the other.)

His has been nothing but a lifelong pattern idiosyncratic behavior and I don't see that changing just because the man has found religion. My advice to everyone is to enjoy the records but don't take him all THAT seriously. Because at the end of the day, he is no authority on social issues. He's just another aging rock star.

"including yours truly—were rocking elf boots, eyeliner, lace gloves and pencil moustaches back when women thought it was sexy for dudes to look like chicks. "

Women never thought dude's dressing like chicks was sexy.

It's just that you were and ARE gay.

I'm sure you know your way around a bathhouse too, eyeliner boy.

Prince did not "find" religion. After his son died, Prince wanted to know what happened to his son. And he searched for meaning in his son's death. And

Shalom Jimi,

There is no greater zealot than a convert.

B'shalom,

Jeff

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My take:

When people are  young, sometimes they "do" stuff...sexual stuff...freaky stuff...some of us would deem SOME of the freaky stuff downright nasty (but who am I to judge).

As people get older, sometimes, after having engaged in all that freaky, funky, fun stuff...they "find God"...suddenly, these new God fearing people, who engaged in all the freaky fun, now want to criticize those currently engaging in the freaky fun, calling for those folks to "get right with God".

Prince is one of those people...former freak, turned bible thumper.

I  can't commnet on that which I do not know, namely Prince's sexual orientation past or present, but I can say that there is a distinct difference between sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual roles.  Roles and identity can change over time, even if orientation does not.  It is quite possible that Prince is a heterosexual man, who identified most strongly with his feminine side in his youth.  To assume that all of those heels and eyeliner were an indication of his sexual orientation are just that- assumptions.  It is possible he was just trying to sell records by being rebellious and controvercial.  To say that he owes some loyalty to the gay community is unfair.  People have a right to their opinions.

Even if Prince did engage in homosexual acts back in the day, why does that mean that he can't speak out against it now? Just because someone did something in the past ,does not mean that it was "right". The logic doesn't follow.

First of all nobody answered Logic's question, and I suspect because it's such a good one that no one has an answer to it.  I mean do people call Muslims porkphobes because they don't believe in eating pork?  How about vegetarians - do people call them meatphobes? People have all kinds of beliefs that don't allow them to agree with a particular lifestyle - and aren't called 'phobes' because of it, except in the case of homosexuality.  The Jewish religion doesn't allow for celebrating Christmas, do Christians call them phobic?  Most vegetarians don't hate meat eaters and I don't know any Muslims who hate folks that eat pork,  Most folks who don't agree with the homosexual lifestyle do not hate homosexuals. But I think it must make homosexuals feel better to think that people hate them, since they're so ready to think that way.

And as far as how Prince behaved back in the day and how he's trying to behave now - what's wrong with people spiritually evolving? Just because that evolution doesn't fit someone eles's purpose, doesn't mean it isn't valid.

This commentary proves that anyone can become a "cultural critic" these days. That said, it seems that gay people, including some confused black people turn into straight up venomous snakes when someone states their opposition to their lifestyle.

I came up on Prince in the early 80s, loved his music and never once did I don makeup, boots, nor did I copycat his clothing to catch chicks; I was real and had my own rap... I always wondered about cats like you and suspected y'all was gays. Of all the years I listened to Prince through the 80s, I never once suspected he might be gay; yes he dressed in a feminate way & wore makeup, but he always had the baddest  women around him at all times. No rumor ever broke out about him crossing the line, and most brothers in entertainment did the same, ask Babyface.

A lot of the weak ass dudes that suspected he was gay during that time was mainly because of jealousy. And then, just because some weak minded followers of Prince took his stage persona as an excuse to become gay or bi-sexual has nothing to do with the artist. One of the reasons the revolution broke up was because of wendy&lisa.

A lot of people who do not agree with the gay lifestyle are not homophobes, we're just down with natural man/woman relationships, period. Some site religion, others, like me site the general natural order of things. Being against gay life does not mean either that we wish for gays to be persecuted. Quit trying to force it down peoples' throat. It is still a free country, but most people think free means doing whatever you want. And please stop comparing the gay struggle to the civil rights struggle of black people in America. They will never be the same.

As far as Prop8, the people have spoken, y'all need to go back, regroup and maybe bring it to a vote again in 4 years. All this protesting reminds me of a baby in the checkout line crying because his mother told him no candy!  

The childish writing in this commentary, or attack rather on Prince proves that some of these internet critics should definitely keep their day jobs.  Hello Ladies!!!!

There still seems to be some real denial about Prince out there.

No straight man would behave like Prince for the last 30 yrs for any amount of attention or money.

There is nothing rebellious about Prince's behavior unless you count acting real gay as rebellion.

Let's look at this from a different perspective:

When you saw George Michael in Wham what did you think? -that straight guy sure likes to dance.

Did Elton John ever seem just controversial or artistic?  What about Liberace?

I read the New Yorker article yesterday and I didn't see where Prince is "dissing" gays.

Also, I've been a fan of his artistry since 1978 and never suspected nor heard that Prince was homosexual or engaged in homosexual activity.

Another thing:  Because one portrays a character in his act, does not make that his reality.

Prince became a Christian of the Jehovah's Witness denomination.  It's his choice.  And whatever he's done in the past, he decided to leave it there.  It's called repentance.

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glam, androgeny, and cross dressing was popular in the 70s and new wave early 80s.  but c'mon prince was FLAMING. fops do not go around in assless chaps - thats gay stuff.   I remember an interview on MTV where prince was asked about his rumored 500+ unreleased songs.  what type of songs?  he replied it was stuff the public wasnt ready for, including rock songs, jazz songs, and songs about his true sexuality.  gay closeted pop musicians have a tradition of changing the gender of their songs to appeal to a larger hetero audience.  

have you watched purple rain lately?  that dude's image is about CONFUSION angst and violence.  he comes off as some one who hates himself.  so its easy to see that little midget wearing a leather thong trying to *** bash gay dudes for being just like him.

I'm with Prince, God needs to come back here & wipe all this non-sense out.

Sorry Jimi,

Not reading it this way, Prince ain't phobin'. He just is swinging the other way on that God/Sex pendulum he's always obsessed with. Unfortunately he's fallen in with that cultish Jehovah's Witness sect......Don't answer that door bell !!!!

Kettle, this is pot.  You're black.  

Jimi:  Are you kidding me? What  - do you need something to write about and are out of ideas?

This *random*, likely truncated, conversation with PRINCE, who - while I was a total fan as a teen and younger adult so I will always give some respect, and he is an icon- is not really 'hot' right now, in the NEW YORKER (um, who cares?) wherein he makes some remarks  *in passing* on his social views IN GENERAL - and you come up with... 'PRINCE DISSES GAYS???'

Really? Is that all you've got?? How straight could you really be?

He didn't DISS gays .... and besides, if he does not agree with homosexuality....you know, that is a rather looong line of folk with that view.  People are in that line for various reasons...regardless of what they did 25 years ago.

Get some fresh ideas please.  This commentary, or rather your interpretation of it, is flawed and irrelevant.

WOW, I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but Prince your dead wrong on this. I have no problem with your past or your present day persona. but just because you have been, saved, dosen't mean your RIGHT. Equal rights, to explore whatever, whomever, you think you are, is the real reason, this is called the HOme of the BRAVE!!! . And why so many people love your music as well as some of your personas ,over the years. You were called a REAL man, when hanging in the arms of a mucsle man.

Wearing a DRESS!!!. Then you CHanged, and became a SENSITIVE MAN, who was in touch, with his femine side. But could drive it home......as needed!!!. the words alone!!!!!!!! from most of your songs, were INCREDIBLE!!! that's why we, YOUR TRUE FANS, LOVE YOU. Plus if my memory serve me correctly, You supported gay rights in the past!!! not as a gay man!!!!. but as  man who wanted FREEDOM, for everybody, freedom of EXPRESSION, for everybody. Thats the Prince, we all know and love.

This New Prince, Leaves a lot to be DESIRED, because like the music he's been putting out lately, MOST OF IT IS ................GARBAGE!!!

Find..........Wendy and LISA and get back, with The Revolution and put Out some funky music and not theses SMALL MINDED STATEMENTS, from a BRILLIENT MUSICAL MIND.

I'm straight, and ALWAYS, thought you were at LEAST BI, but never STRAIGHT, and I supported you as a fan!!!!.

If you truly want to do something, go to Haiti, Sub Saharan AFRICA, Do some work with The PEACE CORPS. Check your spirit, through this, then picking on gays.

Neither. Prop 8 had nothing to do with being gay.  Prop 8 has to do with gay's getting married.  I don't know what Prince said, I just read your article, but prop 8 had nothing to do with "being" gay it just struck down legal marriage for gays.

"Prop 8 had nothing to do with being gay."  deny a basic right for gay people is an assault on their civl rights.  like saying left handed people should be denied the right to mary.  

i think many ignorant people confuse situational homo acts - like in prison.  with people that are born gay.  which has something to do with hormones in the womb or whatever.

anti gay legislation is wishy washy utopian dreaming by phobic hate mongers. and it destablizes society.  when you make gayness taboo and illegal it forces many insecure gay folks (who have a choice of living an open life and being an outcast or living a secret double life)  into messed up marrages/relationships with striaght people.  which is not fair to the straight partner who is denied a real relationship with a straight partner.  and its unfair to the gay and any kids who end up with a messed up family.  

if you dont like gay folks.  who cares, whatever.  just ignore them.  live your own life to the fullest of your morality.  if you think gayness is a sickness - remember that attacking the weak is not a virtue.

Frankly, I thought Prince was sexy as HELL back in day!!   He was already cute, the confidence and the "Yes I am the absolute sh*t" was the icing on the cake.

And he looks damned good for 50...aren't too many 50 year old men or women can say that...

Genius has always been suspect when it comes to dealing with reality. I suppose that when God blesses you in the extreme, something else always gets lost in the translation, i.e. which line did you get in, big booty or, well, you know what I mean. In his song "Head" he is asked by his about to be married lover if he is gay and he replies, "No, are you?". He has embraced being a Jehovah Witness. When you add religion to the mix, tolerance seems to go out the window. I guess all those fine women he always had around him or that he was linked with were all just beards ( if he is gay).

And if he was/is gay, is pulling a Ted Haggard on us? In the end, to me, it makes no difference either way. As long as the dude can keep putting out the jams, his socio/political views are irrelevant. He's an ENTERTAINER who's views on subject such as these are best kept to himself.

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Nothing is more depressing than watching a celebrity interview and realizing that the idiot prattling on about their screwball religion has 1000 times your net worth...

This is sad. You must be really uninformed on the artist to make these assumptions. First, the article/Prince did not say what you are suggesting it did.  Did you read it? Secondly, to say that a mans actions 20+ years ago must be the same as his actions or beliefs today is ridiculous. Is he not allowed to grow and change his beliefs at all? Most importantly, where is this evidence that Prince is/was gay? Has he admitted to this or are you all making assumptions based on looks and high-heel boots? I've been listening to the man since album one and the talk has always been GOD AND SEX! Let's Go Crazy! Prince had you singing about God and you didn't even know it, but now you blast him for YOUR interpretation of his beliefs. Prince has always been a classic P**** chaser who came off as in touch with sexuality, not gay. Being highly sexual doesn't mean you agree with having sex with the same gender.

After reading several of this dudes illogical posts, I hope he doesn't quit his day job....

Seems no common sense is needed to become a cultural critic these days.

Damn this Internet!!!

Back in the day when I was the hugest Prince fan, in my teens, I did wonder about the lace and ruffles and high-heeled boots. Maybe he was/is gay, maybe not. But I agree with Cobb. He's 50 now, and by that age, all the foolishness and wild oats and whatever else has been done, it's over, and not much in this crazy mixed up world matters. You know, been there, done that, over it. I do have a question regarding jere512's comment about his son. What son?? And he died??? What the?? What happened and where was I??? Seriously, I had not heard about that.

I think Prince got a kick out of confusing his gender and sexuality with his audience when he was younger.  Now he's older and realizes that he is, in fact, responsible for the way he portrayed himself.  So, like many other people who find religion later in life, he overdoes the condemnation of what he earlier espoused.  I don't think he's homophobic.  I think he's trying to pretend he never enjoyed the confusion in the first place.  Classic reformation.

To the person who goes by Logic: I'll answer your question.  There is no "essence" of homosexuality.  There are same-gender sexual acts -- men sleeping with men, women sleeping with women.  That doesn't make you gay.  Being gay is being attracted (not just sexually, but with your whole self) to someone of the same gender.  So, Prince fooling around with another dude for fun isn't "gay".  A man wanting to marry another man is "gay".  There's no "essence" to that.  You are what you are.  You're black.  You're a woman.  You're gay.  There's nothing to agree or disagree with; it just is.  You can't love the person but hate the behavior without being a jerk.  Sorry.

What is this about "I am no longer gay". GET REAL PEOPLE... AINT NO GOING BACK OR "GETTING STRAIGHT". Once you're gay, forty years down the road you're still gay! Everytime I hear this I use to be be gay nonsense, I wanna smack somebody silly...