by Paul Schingle

Created on: January 29, 2009

"Should" he judged and "will" he be judged are two different questions. I'm sure there are a number of people who feel that Freddie Mercury did the wrong thing by not saying anything when he knew he was going to die from AIDS related disease. On the other hand, had Freddie Mercury decided to talk about it publicly, before he died, there would have been a number of people who would have said that Freddie was pandering for sympathy, even if he would have come out for the purpose of educating others and trying to help prevent the spread of the disease. People who live in the spotlight have to face these kinds of decisions all the time-whether or not to go public on something personal. And, in the end, half the public supports them and half do not. A person in the spotlight cannot win, in these situations.

While obviously not a "gay man's disease" exclusively, when people hear the terms HIV and AIDS, that is the first thought that comes to most people's minds. This was especially true in the middle-later eighties, when Mercury contracted the disease, and on into the early nineties, when he finally succumbed to it. But, that was never an issue for Freddie Mercury. He never tried to hide the fact that he was gay. He was always open about it and let the consequences be damned. I mean, his band was named "Queen" for heaven's sake. No, Freddie Mercury didn't keep mum about AIDS to hide his homosexuality. He was quiet about it because it was nobody else's business. Simple as that.

People can get all up in arms about it and say things like, "Well, as a public figure, he has an obligation to his fans" and other such nonsense as that. Freddie Mercury had a total of one obligation to his fans-and that was to entertain. And, Freddie Mercury came through on his one and only obligation on a regular basis and with flying colors. Freddie Mercury was a great singer and Queen was a rockin' band. And, as a unit, they came through album after ablum and show after show. Freddie Mercury met his obligations-at least to his public.

Freddie Mercury died way too young of a disease we're only just now starting to get a firm handle on. When Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, it was a death sentence. Period. I don't see how anyone who hasn't walked a mile in his moccassins can sit in judgment of Freddie Mercury and his decision to remain quiet. I'm sure it was a very trying time for him and he did what he thought was best for him and those around him.

Should Freddie Mercury be judged for his decision to keep quiet about having AIDS? I, for one, don't see why he should. But, I'm sure there are those out there who judge him for it. Pity, that. He deserves better.

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