Ian Johnson, Out Now
November 30, 2007
TOPICS: Lesbian and gay community. Gay communications. HIV and AIDS. World AIDS Day 2007. Queen. Freddie Mercury. The power of music to communicate a global message.It was 16 years ago this week that the world learned the shocking news that one of the most successful and, to many, one of the greatest rock musicians there has been -- Freddie Mercury -- was dead.
Mercury had enjoyed a long successful career as the frontman for one of Britain's most successful rock music exports - Queen.
He was also gay, not that many rock critics or fans noticed, much less cared.
As one of Out Now's gay media clients in England, Gay Times, reported at the time of his death: "He was a 'scene-queen', not afraid to publicly express his gayness but unwilling to analyse or justify his lifestyle....It was as if Freddie Mercury was saying to the world, 'I am what I am. So what?' And that in itself was a statement."
His death from AIDS at the age of 45 served to highlight the fact that when it comes to disease and illness, no-one is immune.
HIV does not discriminate.
Now comes news that to commemorate tomorrow's International World AIDS Day Freddie Mercury's bandmates in Queen will release a free song via their website to promote global awareness of the impact which AIDS continues to have on millions of lives around the world.
The song is also helping raise AIDS awareness for the Nelson Mandela charity 46664.
The video for the new Queen single can be viewed online at Mandela's 46664 site and it is very effective communications of an AIDS awareness message in a world where too many people wrongly think of AIDS as an illness not to be bothered by.
As Nelson Mandela says, especially in relation to the devastating impact AIDS and HIV currently has in Africa, "HIV is no longer a disease, it is a human rights issue."
Say It's Not True is the first studio outcome featuring new Queen lead singer Paul Rodgers, and its release is eagerly awaited by Queen music fans.It is available as a free download on the band's website.
Mercury's former bandmates hope their new single will help spread awareness about the killer disease.
Drummer Roger Taylor says, "No one is safe from infection. We have to be aware, we have to protect ourselves and those we love."
Whether or not you have lost someone to AIDS you loved, we ask that tomorrow you spare some thoughts for the millions around the world who have -- and for those who are continuing to live with HIV and AIDS today.
As one of the lines says in Say Its Not True -- "It could be happening to you, it could be happening to me."
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