The Scissor Sisters have reflected on being labelled a “gay band”.
The Take Your Mama hitmakers, whose songs have often explored themes related to the LGBTQ+ community, have opened up about being branded a “gay band”.
Bandmates Jake Shears, Scott ‘Babydaddy’ Hoffman and Del Marquis, who are all gay, said in an interview with NME that people used the label to put them in a box when they wanted their music to have a broader appeal.
“I was looking at our straight counterparts, and, like, I had a bit of resentment that we sort of had this extra label that made it easier for some (people) to dismiss us,” vocalist Jake stated. “And I think I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder about that.”
Babydaddy added, “We used to say, ‘What is a gay band? Is it Village People?’ Because that’s not us.”
He then went on to question the point of putting a label on the group.
“It’s a lot less loaded now, but in that moment, I think there was a question of, like, ‘Are people saying that to put (the band) in its own little box?'” the multi-instrumentalist said. “I don’t really know what it was supposed to say, except that we were open about who we were, and there were some themes (in our music) that were definitely queer themes.”
Del noted that he didn’t think the label was a compliment, explaining, “At that time, I think it was rooted in homophobia. We would get a lot of ‘camper than a row of tents’ (comments).”
The trio are reuniting for a tour of the U.K. and Ireland in May 2025. The trek, which will not feature their bandmate Ana Matronic, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album.
