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.”
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
