Billie Joe Armstrong, who is the frontman of Green Day, reveals how it is fucking cool being a bisexual icon. The 51-year-old song legend, known for songs such as “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “Basket Case,” shares how it is cool to be bisexual, especially in an era where more and more men have come out to express their identity.
Armstrong came out as bisexual in 1995 during a time where being a part of the queer community was not well understood and still under brutal attack after the 1981 start of the aids epidemic, which created a harmful stereotype that still follows the community to this day.
In recent years, studies have shown that younger generations are starting to have a greater portion queer folks. Twenty-eight percent of Gen Z adults identify as queer; 16% of millennials identify as queer; 7% of gen-Xers identify as queer, and 4% of both baby boomers and silent generation folks identify as queer.
Studies such as these show us positive results that help steer away from massive issues facing the community. As more people are becoming accepting and willing to here our thoughts and feelings, we make others comfortable with their identity and be their authentic selves.
However, many question Armstrong’s sexuality because he is married to a woman and has kids. This is very predictable because many believe that bisexual folks are only valid if they are dating the same gender. However, bisexual means that a person can date anyone regardless of gender identity, and therefore, a bisexual man can still be with a woman.
It is very cool to see that older generation bands ar show their support and love towards the queer community, especially a well-known band like Green Day, who still has massive popularity in its music, even after all these years.
Armstrong also denounced any transphobia, stating that people who panicked over trans people are “fucking closed minded.”
When talking about trans youth, Armstrong says: “Its like people are afraid of their children. Why would you be afraid? Why don’t you let your kid be the kid they are?” He stated.
Personally, I feel like this quote really points out the reality that many trans youth are facing from their own families. Their own parents have chosen to be afraid of their child’s identity and have gone as far as traumatizing their own children, in an effort to keep their child under a moral that is not realistic for everyone.
Armstrong, is a prime example that being authentic in who you are, goes along way to helping others be authentic as well.
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