Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears asks people to ‘keep their queer values’ in candid interview

Jake Shears

Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears has asked the LGBT+ community to “keep their queer values” as society becomes more accepting of gay people.

In a candid interview about his life as a gay man, the singer said that “not everyone needs to assume the mould” of a nuclear family in order to be accepted.

“It’s important that as society becomes more inclusive, we’re allowed to marry each other, that we keep our queer values,” the musician told Channel 4.

“People do their own thing. Not everyone needs to assume the mould.”

Shears, who resides in New York, said that he was “violently harassed” as an openly gay teen in his hometown of Mesa, Arizona.

“I remember being in the principal’s office because I’d been harassed by other kids in the school violently,” he said.

LONDON - JULY 17:   Jake Shears and Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters perform on day 3 of Lovebox on July 17, 2011 in Victoria Park in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

(Samir Hussein/Getty)

“I came out when I was 15 at school, and I realised I had put myself into a precarious situation. It was a very hostile environment for me and a lot of kids had it in for me. It was a scary situation. I was very impatient. I wanted to grow up now.

“When I went into the office he told me that if I’d just kept your private life to yourself, none of this would be happening. Tears just came to my eyes; I was so mad,” he said.

President Donald Trump’s administration scrapped Title IX protections – which allow trans students to use the bathroom of their choice at school – last year.

US President Donald Trump speaks before signing trade sanctions against China on March 22, 2018, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 22, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Mandel NGAN        (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

(MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty)

And Oklahoma and Kansas voted to allow adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex couples last week, sparking another wave of concern for LGBT+ people under Trump.


“Do I feel safe in Trump’s America? Well I do feel safe, but I do feel scared,” said Shears.

“I know plenty of Trump supporters, I’m friends with Trump supporters, and in my family… I think it’s very important to keep a dialogue, face to face, as much as possible. I think as people, we’re isolating ourselves. We’re talking to each other through our phones, arguing, those divisions freak me out.

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 07:  Ana Matronic and Jake Shears of the band Scissor Sisters perform during the 3rd annual amfAR Inspiration Gala New York at The New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on June 7, 2012 in New York City.  (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

(Jason Kempin/Getty)

I do think it’s possible to change people’s minds,” he added.

“It’s one of my goals with my music. I hope that I do make music that can speak to anyone. I don’t just want to play for a queer crowd.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 22:  Ana Matronic and Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters performs at Brixton Academy on June 22, 2010 in London, England.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

(Chris Jackson/Getty)

In recent years Shears has released a solo album and taken on the role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots.

He also wrote an autobiography earlier on this year entitled Boys Keep Swinging.

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