Rob Halford, the out and proud lead singer of UK metal band Judas Priest, talks about his sexuality and the importance of coming out in the new issue of Metal Edge magazine.

Halford, 56, left Judas Priest - who has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide - in 1993 after 20 years, but rejoined in 2003. He came out of the closet in an interview with MTV in 1998.

Halford tells Metal Edge magazine that coming out for him was liberating and that his action has helped many other metal fans to do the same.

"It was no big surprise to me to find that there were other gay metalheads, it's an absolute fact," he said.

"I would get some of the coolest emails, especially from younger metalheads struggling with their sexual identity, saying "because you did what you did, I was able to tell my friends at school, or tell my family, or whatever, and they've accepted me."

"And you don't expect that, so it's an absolutely wonderful thing to see and hear about.

"What I always tell people is, you're not alone going through that struggle, that a lot of us have gone through that struggle, and the most fulfilling and freeing thing you can do to yourself is come out and be straightforward, and let everybody know who you are."

Halfordsaid finds it heartbreaking to hear about young people being forced out of their homes for being gay and says that's unfortunately still part of the world we live in, Pink News reports.

"People say really hateful things about me sometimes on message boards and blogs or whatever, but it has no effect on me, because I'm not hiding anymore, and it's ridiculous to make that kind of statement. It has absolutely no value. So I would encourage people, if you can, to face the moment and say "This is who I am, take it or leave it."

Last update: 02-13-2008 16:50