R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe Talks about Love and 'Coming Out'

[MockBlue]

He had to come out publicly to show he was gay!!!? I could have told you he was a chutney ferret back in the 90's!

[JohnyM91]

I had no idea he was gay til just now and it hasnt affected my view of him or his music, people need to get over these things.

[redrusty66]

blah blah blah, another "i'm so above it all" lame ass, makes another lame ass "I'm so above it all" statement about not making statements, which is the biggest lame ass statement about being a lame ass self absorbed drama queen that any lame ass drama queen could ever make. Yeah yeah and I am, Doll Parts, I fake it so real I am beyond fake.

[PepperDr94]

@redrusty66 What. The. FUCK are you talking about? Clearly not Michael....

[Demonsword92]

michael stipe or SUTIN

[timjdong]

I never really understood Anal Sex. To me, it's the equivalent of plunging ur penis into a SEPTIC TANK repeatedly. All that bile & stomach acid, has to take a toll on the old peter.

[oaklandrmoss18]

@timjdong condoms brotha

[FUOPEC1]

@timjdong anal sex seems very popular with gay men and straight men and women these days.

[coverchenko]

Who cares? Why do we make such a huge deal about sexuality?

[sHART1780]

He never needed to come out. It's been obvious he's gay for a long time. I never even knew he came out, I always just assumed he's gay.

[me77ki]

And that was a lot of ppl lol. Hillarious. And so honest end heartfelt

[TobiasReturns]

he said both men and women but it doesnt matter either way cuz hes an amazing and totally underrated singer/songwriter

[mairkh]

I love ya no matter what Micheal

[TheDocJayz]

@RIPmyers We both know that's total bullshit. ;)

[TheDocJayz]

@FedorEight Dude, shut the fuck up. Liberals are people, not all-knowing assholes like you. And Michael's fine, people generally are too judgmental about him.

[insteally]

Ah what, he's gay? I had no idea. Somehow this makes him seem cooler, though.

[TheVanarbulax]

This actually means quite a lot to me, I think this is the sort of state I am in, I never fall in love, properly in love, but I feel affection and desire towards people and I've always been scared that that's not enough for a relationship. However "it is what it is".

[MrSeppo92]

nice ending

[Vash1286]

his voice used to be deeper...like look at the video "Michael Stipe interview maybe 1985/Fables".

[melora72]

I can't make out what he's saying in most of the interview. I think it's because his speaking voice is so low. If I watch it a few more times I might be able to figure it out by lip- reading.

[cashy71]

great person.def makes the worlld a better place.

[ambivalenteful]

@cashy71 o.k. i don't know how to get a message to michael stipe, so i'm just going to post something right here

i don't actually like youtbe, because of all the judgements made on myself from people who don't know me, based on a video from a movie about suicide)

anyhow, in 1998, i was for the first time mistakenly diagnosed with schzophrenia, and i was so freaked out by this, that a nurse tried to reassure me "it's o.k, michael stipes has schizophrenis too", that was a stupid comment no mattter

[Dock2371]

Michael Stipe? Gay? Never in the world! Well I never saw that! Next you will be telling us George Michael prefers the funnel, not the tunnel!

[me77ki]

@Dock2371 He's bisexual. 80% men 20% women he says himself

[haysiefantasie]

@me77ki imassively agreee-his exuakity doesn't make fully who he is- i love him and he has heplped me acknoledge my ownsexuality a realise that nothing comes bad from it- i salute you michael stipexxxxx

[maquilante]

Michael e' simplesmente tudo de bom, eu amo esse cara ele e' brilhante e' sexy e' misterioso, quem consegue assistir um show e nao ficar hipnotizado por ele

Opcao sexual nao influi na personalidade e dignidade de ninguem e esse homem esta acima disso tudo

O tempo passa mas para ele o tempo para ah se todos fossem Michael

[jaggass]

I can tell people are gay just by looking at them. although a few you couldnt tell like elton john.

[me77ki]

@jaggass well if u didn't figure Sir Elton out, then your not very good at it

[tomthefunky]

Hey, guess what? Elton John is gay!!!!!!

[Nirvana1923]

the girl is very nice and fresh

[bunnyboy80]

I love how he puts other people first.....the world needs more Michael Stipes!! x

[a19patrol]

By what he says in this interview he's gay!

[PieceofMindmusic]

shes beautiful....he didnt even swoon once :]

[SguardoInnocente]

I think Michael's sadness, if really exists, turns out to be a power of great inspiration for him!

[mystro810]

he always seems sad

[30SecondDogWalk]

@mystro810: They are all sad. None of them even know what they are even when they say they think they know what they are. It's all pretty retarded. Funny, music isn't just music in the business. It has more bullshit that has strung itself along. Music now has become a religion, philosophy, and psychology for the socially inept, confused, and egotistical masses.Music is supposed to be a fun thing. Not a belief system. Unfortunately, we have confused artists teaching. Music is music. Period.

[mystro810]

@30SecondDogWalk you just described me perfectly; a socially inept , confused, saddened musician... I would rather be what I am than one of the sheeple. The problem isnt that people look to music for guidance and meaning, the problem is the quality of "music" being shoved down the publics throat nowadays. Once people had The Beatles and Bob Dylan to turn to, now they have Kesha and Little wayne. There is no substance in popular music anymore and it has morally bankrupt our culture

[Ptinski]

@mystro810 How fortunate for me to have gleaned the music culture and genius of 1963 to mid-70s. I had the best and realize that everytime I hear the uncommitted pap of the 80s "sound" thankfully, Nirvana paved the way for the alternatives. O and by the way - please don't say "sheeple" it's been done to death.

[Ptinski]

@30SecondDogWalk Nah. Music can effect incredible changes, it can mold, manipulate, mystify, inspire, aid in venting useless brain-crap, and frankly everyting I know goes better with a soundtrack to it. We're all walking around with our own theme song playing in our heads, that's music that's not "just".

[PieceofMindmusic]

@mystro810 hes lost a lot of good friends.

[Johnesengichy]

i only looked at this because i heard his name on familyguy

[opusndo]

So you interpret the world through the lense of Family Guy?

I hope you turn out alright.

I love the show, don't get me wrong... but it's SATIRE.

[adaptivardware]

Okay, I'm going to think he's sweet.

[RIPmyers]

I like REM so don't get me wrong but we all knew he was gay back in the 80's and 90's. 2 of my buddies got hit on them by Stipe at bars and we're straight as an arrow. Stipe stuck his finger in a bowl of my friend's soup and licked it and my buddy is like "dude, I'm not gay" lol. I'm not gay but nothing against him but thier music is cool.

[squinternet1]

he is a lovely man

[tatoazteca]

que mal que nos gane el morbo de saber sobre la vida privada de las personas, pero que bien que en este caso, michael stipe nos da una leccion involuntaria sobre lo que es el respeto y la moral, siiiii la moral aunque suene ironico y contradictorio.......... michael eres mi idolo, gay o no gay. ......

[TheFragile89]

"I'm not homosexual, I'm not heterosexual, I'm just sexual."

- Michael Stipe

[Hollywoodtoole]

@TheFragile89 DOes this ("I'm just sexual") include animals? All of them? Surely not

[Haku548]

He's bisexual people, get it right.

[ToulacAxeHand]

Michael was effectively outed by the media - it's ridiculous. Who cares whether someone is black, or gay, or whatever - it's who they are - and it's not a matter of choice!

The song: King of Comedy, on the Monster album - is about the media outing him.

[The1frown]

i would do him.

[kesaab]

gay are not micheal stipes you are the greatest.your songs have so much meaning..and i love you 2 pieces.athens georgia ROCKS

[rademos]

he is one of the brighter more talented musicians in the music world today. It didn't surprise me that he is gay---my brightest most talented friends happen to be gay men. Bravo for him for his honesty and his honoring his other relationships but not wanting them dragged thru the quagmire of celeb gossip---this guy is above pleeebs.

[JackCarver296]

He's bi-sexual, he likes women as well as men.

[jepeto3]

Live and let live. He's gay, and so what?

[dirkschuitsma]

Let them gayguys be. Lesser competition for us hetro's..

[Hog005]

WHAT.....i had no idea...i dont care his music is still good

[kraftwerk456]

i kind of knew he was but i never knew that he actually was!!!!!!

COSMIC

[danbit5]

rem rocks i dont care if stipe is or is not gay its his personal life,all i ever did like was the music im half straight:)

[oysterinbread]

well that was pretty obvious

wasn't it?

[mrmonkeyisland1]

I love Michael Stipe and I love REM.

[GuitarGypsy94]

Gay people rule!!!!!!

Michael rules too!!!

[Cassie8810]

@seneca55 You're a great fan but you hate the singer for something beyond his control. Fascinating.

[maxrieser]

I didnt know he was GAY...wtf it really dont change my oppinion on him hes cool!

[Zenmajician]

Like who's interested?

Michael Stipe needs the comfort of a man's arms! HAHAHA!

[Stevoisfree]

Yes, of course, because being gay automatically makes someone a hero *rolls eyes* Stipe's a jackass, gay or straight.

[fenderacolyte]

i gotta admit that since i knew that stipe was gay, i don't see him the way i used to, great musician anyway. a true american gay hero.

[jimdatweak]

Over 1,700 species on this planet are regularly bisexual. Get the fuck over it, you ignorant pompous pieces of shit. :)

[DMMP28]

If you don't like Michael Stipe why are you looking him up?

[DMMP28]

It's the 90s. Who the hell cares? I don't care if Michael Stipe is a bisexual, straight, gay. I don't care. All I care about is his music and the way he sings. He's an amazing song writer and seems like a decent human being. All you can see him for is being bisexual. IF you dislike him so much why don't you look up someone else?

[Cephlophile]

demblin: What about bonobos? They have been well documented (IN THE WILD) engaging in sexual behaviors with both genders as a form of social bonding and a way to relieve tension. What about black swans? About of quarter of their pairings are gay (also IN THE WILD), and will steal eggs and successfully raise them to adulthood. What about elephants? They have been known to form homosexual relationships that last for years (IN THE WILD). Homosexuality and bisexuality are quite common in nature.

[Cephlophile]

I'm not talking about licking or rubbing, I'm talking about actual SEX! As in, penetration. When I say sexual behavior, I mean SEX! Besides, homosexuality also applies to emotional attachments. If not emotionally or sexually attached to each other, why would two male ducks raise stolen eggs in stead of simply mating with a female? In fact, no sexually reproducing species so far found has NOT been documented having, if not actual sex, sexual stimulation with a member of the same gender.

[demblin]

Ceph- Are you a comedian or bent or both? No 2 males of any species of animal blow, wank or cornhole each other to orgasm EVER. No cornholing means no penetration, remember? No penetration means no SEX. Unlike a vagina a shit chute doesn't self-lubricate for entry, which means nature doesn't intend it to be penetrated, and that it's physically impossible for one male animal to spear another. One male animal (like a wolf) mounting another to establish dominance within a herd is not sex, Einstein.

[Cephlophile]

You moron, you're not listening to what I'm saying. American bison, for one, have been well documented participating in full-blown anal penetration. Look it up. But you're already predisposed to believe that homosexuality is unnatural, aren't you? You're already predisposed to believe that homosexuals are inferior, right? How is that any different from whites saying blacks are inferior, or men saying women are inferior. You're just a narrow-minded bigot.

[Cephlophile]

First off, I'm not gay. Secondly, nature can't "want" anything. Third, it can't be unnatural if it occurs in nature! Homosexuality may not have any evolutionary advantages, but it's just a random mutation. If you're so convinced that it doesn't happen in nature, why don't you do what I suggested and LOOK IT UP! Of course, you'll ignore evidence against your own viewpoint, and tout around evidence supporting it, won't you? Why don't you prove me wrong? LOOK IT UP!

[Cephlophile]

What about giraffes? It is quite common for two males to caress each other, eventually leading to mounting, and yes, climax. In fact, these interactions are actually more common than heterosexual mounting. I think we've both also been ignoring another subject: homosexuality between females, which I'm sure you'll agree is still homosexuality. See Japanese Macaques; females of this species often form "consortships" between themselves. And if you checked, you'd see that penetration is not so rare.

[Cephlophile]

What happened to you saying, "No male animals blow, wank, or shtup each other to orgasm"? As I just showed, they do. And how can you describe sex as non-sexual? Whether or not it's in the mating season, it is still penetration, ie: sex. I doubt many homosexual animals actually try to produce offspring, but they do nonetheless have sex. How many times do I have to repeat that? Do research. Show me evidence that I'm wrong, and then maybe I'll shut up! Until then, go ahead being an ignorant moron.

[jimdatweak]

@demblin Perhaps you got a second grade education but it would help if you actually did some research. I am not a comedian, I am a biologist, but thanks for aiding me better than I could've done myself, in making you sound like a complete retard. You are not qualified to say that one species on the planet does something that all of the other millions upon millions of species do not. Read a book, or more productively, jump off a cliff.

[DMMP28]

Amen to that!

[Floskeknosk]

Michael Stipe could be an alien and still be cooler than anyone else on this planet. I've ALWAYS admired him and he could be gay/bi to 1000 and still kick ass. Plus he seems intelligent and very great human being.

[lordtrax8]

he's a great man, dude.

[harpervalleypta123]

If he's looking for a boyfriend I'm here. ha ha  What a great band.

[lollerororonono]

I was a little surprised when I first heard about him being bi-sexual. Maybe because I personally don't know hardly anyone who is. By all means that doesn't change the fact that he's a legend in the music industry. He's like a god amongst mere mortals. Mike Stipe FTW! REM FTW! =D

[Herdiegsa]

HAPPY Birthday Michael!!!! XXX

[colrick1234]

Gay? Hes not gay hes a peter pumper thats very queer, dont u think? Bi? Whats that? hes a twanger dangler,cmon @ be real R u guys peter eaters also???. OOmmps politically incorrect. Sorry...

[whateverhte]

He's not gay, he's bi. One of his best quotes (perhaps not original to him, but I dunno) was "labels are for canned food". Until he became a pop star, no one cared who he liked. You people enamored of Stipe should check out Ryuichi Sakamoto, to me he looks oddly like Stipe, though sexier... however, I have no idea about his sexuality. What does it matter anyway, these guys are all in relationships. Nice to hear that Stipe's is still lasting 8 years on.

[Extraneus3771]

yes indeed he is bi!!

[findingusernamesucks]

Wow, I didn't even know he was gay. That's cool.

[coolhand050194]

this guy is one of the best musicians, songwriters and frontmen ever.who cares whether he's gay or not. He has an amazing talent.

Oh ,and ronoman88 ,you are an arse.

[DMMP28]

I agree with you. That's all that should matter.

[daddasgirl7]

Mike Stipe is not a creep admitedly he is a little strange but that just adds to his charms, he's cool and just because he has more talent than you does NOT mean he is a creep. I love R.E.M. and think mike stipe is a genius. Why are you watching a video about him if you think he's a creep?

[macskasegg]

You are very rude with the guy who's music you say you like. Who the hell cares who is Stipe pushing? His music what is important.

[Floskeknosk]

Yeah, Macskasegg means cat butt in hungarian. Ha ha.

[DMMP28]

I don't think Michael Stipe is a creep. What's so creepy about him? Because he's gay? Who the hell cares? He's a good singer and a good song writer. That's all that should matter!

[DMMP28]

Who the hell cares what MIchael Stipe does? Are you having sex with him? No. So why worry about it.

[DMMP28]

Again are you having sex with him:? If you aren't why are you worried about him having an STD? And not all gay men have STDS. No I haven't been living under a cave I just don't worry about what Michael Stipe does. That's his life not mine. I don't know the guy. I'm just a fan of his music and if you dislike him so much why are you looking him up?

[DMMP28]

I do have a brain. You worry too much. Like I keep telling you if you don't like Michael Stipe stop looking him up! What I don't agree with you and I don't have a brain?! No one on this board seems to care about Michael's sexuality but you. So give your bi sexuals are bad speech to someone else because I don't care. I don't care what you have to say about Michael Stipe. Get it through your head.

[DMMP28]

And one more thing you don't have to be gay or bi to get Aids. You can be a hetrosexual and get Aids too. I am not bi or gay. I am straight. I just don't care about Michael Stipe's sexuality. I care about Michael Stipe the artist. He's an amazing singer and song writer. I also thought he was brave in talking about his sexuality. Just putting my two cents in. Don't like it don't read it.

[DMMP28]

Let me write this again. Maybe this time you'll understand. I don't care what you say about MIchael Stipe. I don't care if you like him or not. Nothing you write is going to change that. So quit bugging me and find someone else to post your bisexuals are bad speech.

[Remfan89]

It doesn't matter who he sleeps with at all, only thing you should be worrying yourself about is that you make sure that the person you are sleeping with does not have STD and that you always use a condom unless you intend to have a child. Take care of that, but even then you won't be entitled to talk about Michael Stipe's sexual life.

[Remfan89]

Use a condom mate and don't swallow cum.

[Remfan89]

I hope you realize that you can get HIV also from straight men and women, plus ease up a bit dumpling, what is it? Stipe snubbed you once?

[cbarrett34]

I love old REM - 1982-1989

[afeinlein]

When I first discovered R.E.M., I did not know or even consider whether Michael was hetero/homo. I think it was good not to talk about it, not out of shame, just because it takes the focus off his art. Thanks Michael and R.E.M. for the great music. It feels like a part of me.

[kkwillsaveus]

Can't believe he was worried about coming out.

I love you all the same Mike

[mariannora]

a pity not to be a guy when such charming and sexy men are gay!

[robin14669]

I don't think Michael Stipe is completly gay. He had indeed relationships with women, the best known was with Natalie Merchant, de female singer of 10.000 Maniacs. But I'm glad he did came out, so all the specalations about his sexuality stopped. That must be a big relief for Michael, I imagine.

[bjlseko]

michael stipe is a brilliant singer and composer/writer!that's all it matters.

[backinburntcity]

Well, your last paragraph makes me happy. Sorry to maybe have prejudged you. In your first comment it's just that you equated being gay with having a weird downside.

[backinburntcity]

The way you talk about homosexuality is very degrading and disrespectful.

[elliotisagirl]

Big up to Micheal for finally coming clean,not that it should make a difference to anyone..im just slightly jealous that im not a man to ever even be in with a chance with him,lol,his boyfriend is a lucky guy.

[LS1LT1]

I've been a fan of REM since 1983 but I didn't know Stipe was gay until it came out in the late '80s/early '90s.

I must admit though, while I certainly have no issue with homosexuality at all it was a little disheartening to learn that music/love songs that I was passionate about and may have related to as if I were singing it to a female on a 'heterosexual' level may have actually been written to/for a male instead.

But then again who cares, the man (and the entire band) is a musical genius.

[psycobetabuckdown]

Unless he uses the third person male pronoun, it can just as easily be about a girl. Songs aren't meant to be aimed directly at one person. They're for all of us.

[LS1LT1]

You're right. :-)

[glenhaig1976]

He didn't write a love song until Monster. "Strange currencies" is one of my favourite love songs and I'm a straight guy. Doesn't matter that the lyricist is gay, it's a great love song.

[LS1LT1]

True.

[knrblk]

who cares if he's bi? homophobics can all fuck off theres nothing wrong with gay people and michael stipe is one of the biggest musical influences in a lot of peoples careers and lives

[DMMP28]

Exactly! It's about the music. Who cares if Michael's gay?

[BuddyKatt]

Stipe has a real hard time talking about 'love.' Always has had. I chatted with Ginsberg online back in 96 or somewhere thereabouts, and i asked him if Stipe was capable of love. And, Ginsberg said, yeah, sure, look at his relationship with Patti Smith.

[haymacxo13]

Um, wow did not know he was gay. I guess I could kinda tell do to his, well, "apearance" on stage, if you will. I don't really care, because it does not change my opinion of him or the band. Just kinda surprised.

[toterola451]

I am so glad for him, and I hope he and his lucky guy have a wonderful life together.

[eekabostatic]

I just found out he's gay, and who cares, he's a great musician either way. I'd love to see how he and Fred Schneider interact.

[SirMacHinery]

He is not sad, that is just his personality. I guess you don't know the wonderful person that he is. I just saw him in concert a few days ago and he makes me cry he is so talented and awesome!!! I love you Michael!!!!

[ToulacAxeHand]

It's a hard thing to talk about your sexuality to one person. To say it to a TV camera to thousands of people is harder. I can fully understand why Michael may be a bit sad. It's the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and it's a very emotional thing to talk about.

[bbblahok]

can someone write on that what did he say? i am not good at american english, and i don't understand all the parts of this interview.

[remhead08]

Michael your great and I could only be so lucky. and oh yeah " Why not smile?"

[stayawake82]

Che bella persona...

[lawofa]

He seems so sad and serious, lighten up dude!

[queeniefox]

This is a really great interview.

[lullaby31]

Michael you're great and I'm proud of you

[antonNjane]

Great! Thanks for all the videos you put on!