HENRY ROLLINS Says He Doesn't Mind Being Teased About His Sexuality

In a recent interview with Windy City Media Group (Chicago's source for gay news, gossip, entertainment, viewpoints, and gay business concerns),punk rock icon Henry Rollins travelled through his early years to the problem that resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., and everything in between, while providing a moment of clarity in an otherwise chaotic world. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

Windy City Media Group: There's a story about when you were in high school and a gay kid was taunted by the other students and at one point by a teacher. What advice do you have for the kids that don’t live in progressive areas?

Henry Rollins: "That's a good question. It's easy to know that being gay is nothing different than being straight. It's just the way it turns out and that looks good on paper but when you really get to it, there's no way it's going to be that simple. I have to think there are some absolutely heartbreaking stories out there. What to do? I don't know, perhaps find like-minded people to hang out with and perhaps this will give you a chance to figure yourself out some. Young, gay and stuck in Arkansas? Sounds like a horror flick."

Windy City Media Group: Do you think American kids are learning to be more open-minded or do we just see that because we’re in the city? Are the backwoods kids still being taught that fags are sinners?

Henry Rollins: "I don't know what happens in the backwoods of anywhere quite honestly. I would like to think that we are getting more open-minded and shedding our ignorance as we go, but I'm sure there's pockets where you just can’t reason with people."

Windy City Media Group: But as an admittedly straight guy, you've dealt with teasing from the media about your own sexuality. How do you handle that?

Henry Rollins: "The whole 'Henry is gay' thing was interesting. The best comedy came inadvertently from my press agent at the time. This is great, I swear this happened. I asked her what she thought about all the 'Henry is gay' stuff and she said, 'Are you kidding, it's great! It means you’re getting famous! Everyone who gets famous is gay for six months!' I thought that was brilliant. There's also a line in a Rick James song I always thought was funny, I am paraphrasing from 'Below the Funk'. 'Some people say I'm a faggot. Me and all my ladies laugh at that.' So, it's impossible for me to take it seriously because it's not a bad thing being gay. It tells you something about the people who spread the rumor. It tells you that they value that status as a putdown. I have always been very fortunate in being able to have sex with women. It's some of the best times I've ever had."

Read Henry Rollins' entire interview with Windy City Media Group at this location.