Arts & Entertainment
Guns N’ Roses cut song with homophobic, racist lyrics from album reissue
The track ‘One in a Million’ has been omitted
Guns N’ Roses (Screenshot via YouTube)
Guns N’ Roses is releasing an expanded box set of their 1987 album “Appetite for Destruction,” which will include demos and unreleased tracks. However, one song is notably missing from the track list.
“One in a Million,” which features Axl Rose singing homophobic and racist lyrics, will not be included on the reissue, Pitchfork reports.
On the track Rose, who also wrote the song, sings, “Immigrants and fa*gots/They make no sense to me/They come to our country /And think they’ll do as they please.”
He also sings the lyrics, “Police and nig*ers/ That’s right/ Get out of my way/ Don’t need to buy none of your/ Gold chains today.”
Speaking with Rolling Stone in 1989, Rose explained that he was describing “bad experiences” he’s had with gay people and immigrants.
“Maybe I should have been more specific and said, ‘Joe Schmoladoo at the 7-11 and fa*gots make no sense to me,’” Rose said at the time. “That’s ridiculous. I summed it up simply and said, ‘Immigrants.’”
Rose also defended his use of the word “ni*ger” saying that the word “doesn’t necessarily mean black.”
“Why can black people go up to each other and say, ‘ni*ger,” but when a white guy does it all of a sudden it’s a big putdown?,” Rose said. “I don’t like boundaries of any kind. I don’t like being told what I can and what I can’t say. I used the word ‘ni*ger’ because it’s a word to describe somebody that is basically a pain in your life, a problem. The word ‘ni*ger’ doesn’t necessarily mean black.”
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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