New Yorkers Give Honest Opinions on Frank Ocean's "Decision"
It's been several weeks since Frank Ocean made his courageous decision to talk openly about a past love for another man. VIBE stands by Frank and applauds him for keeping it "realer" than every rapper out today. We asked some real New Yorkers about their honest opinions on Frank's bold statements. Click through the gallery below to find out how NYC feels about Mr. Ocean.
Lola Waters
“I think him coming out is something that we needed as a people especially for the Black hip-hop community because we’re so judgmental about everything and with gay rights becoming more and more important in our society, I think it’s really important for him to come out especially because he is such a big figure and he’s such a talented artist. It shows people that being bi-sexual has nothing to do with his talent. He’s worked with Jay-Z and Kanye, the top hip-hop artists. What more can you ask for?”
Her Sexual Orientation: Straight
“I think him coming out is something that we needed as a people especially for the Black hip-hop community because we’re so judgmental about everything and with gay rights becoming more and more important in our society, I think it’s really important for him to come out especially because he is such a big figure and he’s such a talented artist. It shows people that being bi-sexual has nothing to do with his talent. He’s worked with Jay-Z and Kanye, the top hip-hop artists. What more can you ask for?”
Her Sexual Orientation: Straight
Alex Beaulieu
“I'm straight but I’ve always been surrounded by the gay culture, going to an Art school in New York so it has never been a big issue in my mind. But I do think that he would have never gotten as famous if he started out as a gay rapper.”
His Sexual Orientation: Straight
“I'm straight but I’ve always been surrounded by the gay culture, going to an Art school in New York so it has never been a big issue in my mind. But I do think that he would have never gotten as famous if he started out as a gay rapper.”
His Sexual Orientation: Straight
Lauren Poor
“I don’t know if it was smart for him to come out, but I think it was really great and courageous. And I heard that it’s a really big deal for him to have done that because its not really accepted in his community. So I don’t know if it was the safest thing but I think that it was a good thing."
Her Sexual Orientation: Anything
“I don’t know if it was smart for him to come out, but I think it was really great and courageous. And I heard that it’s a really big deal for him to have done that because its not really accepted in his community. So I don’t know if it was the safest thing but I think that it was a good thing."
Her Sexual Orientation: Anything
Migel Lewis-Cross
“Ultimately just for anyone to come out no matter who you are, what you do, what profession you are, coming out is always a big thing because you know it’s a liberating thing and I felt that he feels very liberated, and I'm happy for him. I know sales for 'Channel Orange' sky rocketed after this because of the curiosity that many fans had behind his decision. He was already an amazing artist before he came out, now we just get more of a personal view of Frank Ocean and that’s always a great thing. Many people will now be able to discover what a great artist he is. As a member of the LGBT community I hope that him coming out would help enable those struggling with their sexuality to become more comfortable with themselves and not give a f*ck what anyone thinks about their sexuality or who they’re taking to bed."
Her Sexual Orientation: Bi-Sexual
“Ultimately just for anyone to come out no matter who you are, what you do, what profession you are, coming out is always a big thing because you know it’s a liberating thing and I felt that he feels very liberated, and I'm happy for him. I know sales for 'Channel Orange' sky rocketed after this because of the curiosity that many fans had behind his decision. He was already an amazing artist before he came out, now we just get more of a personal view of Frank Ocean and that’s always a great thing. Many people will now be able to discover what a great artist he is. As a member of the LGBT community I hope that him coming out would help enable those struggling with their sexuality to become more comfortable with themselves and not give a f*ck what anyone thinks about their sexuality or who they’re taking to bed."
Her Sexual Orientation: Bi-Sexual
Raul Torres-Jimenez
“I don’t think that him coming out to the world about being bi-sexual is a big deal. I actually think it’s a good thing because this is very helpful to the gay community. I probably will go back and listen to some of his old songs now that I know that he’s gay.”
His Sexual Orientation: Straight
“I don’t think that him coming out to the world about being bi-sexual is a big deal. I actually think it’s a good thing because this is very helpful to the gay community. I probably will go back and listen to some of his old songs now that I know that he’s gay.”
His Sexual Orientation: Straight
Trevor Pascal
“I feel like Frank Ocean made a very bold move especially being that the hip-hop community is very macho. It was also a smart move because it will make people appreciate him more. Being part of the gay community myself, It’s kind of like if he has the courage to do I, then a lot of other people should as well. Be comfortable with who you are, embrace yourself, your activities and your lives."
His Sexual Orientation: Gay
“I feel like Frank Ocean made a very bold move especially being that the hip-hop community is very macho. It was also a smart move because it will make people appreciate him more. Being part of the gay community myself, It’s kind of like if he has the courage to do I, then a lot of other people should as well. Be comfortable with who you are, embrace yourself, your activities and your lives."
His Sexual Orientation: Gay
Tonya Collins
“I think you should just do you. It’s good to make a statement; I don’t think it will hurt him or help him. At some point as an artist you need to simply be you. Him coming out hasn’t increased or devalued my respect for him. He still has the same voice and is still the same person”.
Her Sexual Orientation: Straight
“I think you should just do you. It’s good to make a statement; I don’t think it will hurt him or help him. At some point as an artist you need to simply be you. Him coming out hasn’t increased or devalued my respect for him. He still has the same voice and is still the same person”.
Her Sexual Orientation: Straight
Stephen Obeng-Agyapong
“I feel like Frank Oceans decision to come out right before his album was a business move and wasn’t really genuine. The only reason why he came out is because of some of the homosexual content on there. As a man and an athlete I feel like being a man stands for integrity and power, and Frank Ocean coming out about being bi-sexual in the Hip Hop community is courageous, but I feel like he lost a lot of respect from some artists in the hip hop community."
His Sexual Orientation: Straight
“I feel like Frank Oceans decision to come out right before his album was a business move and wasn’t really genuine. The only reason why he came out is because of some of the homosexual content on there. As a man and an athlete I feel like being a man stands for integrity and power, and Frank Ocean coming out about being bi-sexual in the Hip Hop community is courageous, but I feel like he lost a lot of respect from some artists in the hip hop community."
His Sexual Orientation: Straight
KT Mo
“I really don’t care much about his music, so I don’t really care that he’s gay. Frank Ocean falling in love with a man probably wasn’t a good decision, but I think that being gay in the hip hop world is f*cking ballsy. The rest of Pop Culture like mainstream America kind of decided they were okay with it (thanks Lady Gaga) but it didn’t really get through to the Hip Hop world until he did it and people still like him which I think is awesome. Coming out after you got famous is kind of badass."
Her Sexual Orientation: Straight
“I really don’t care much about his music, so I don’t really care that he’s gay. Frank Ocean falling in love with a man probably wasn’t a good decision, but I think that being gay in the hip hop world is f*cking ballsy. The rest of Pop Culture like mainstream America kind of decided they were okay with it (thanks Lady Gaga) but it didn’t really get through to the Hip Hop world until he did it and people still like him which I think is awesome. Coming out after you got famous is kind of badass."
Her Sexual Orientation: Straight
Julian Dean
“It’s really hard now a day’s even in 2012 to come out and be an openly gay man. Being in the entertainment industry it was a big step for him and it will give other artists a chance to come out and be comfortable with themselves. Being homosexual myself, I think we need to let more gay people in the entertainment industry and it’s kind of shied away from because it’s like you can’t be successful if you’re a gay man, but its okay if you’re a gay woman. And that isn’t fear."
His Sexual Preference: Homosexual
“It’s really hard now a day’s even in 2012 to come out and be an openly gay man. Being in the entertainment industry it was a big step for him and it will give other artists a chance to come out and be comfortable with themselves. Being homosexual myself, I think we need to let more gay people in the entertainment industry and it’s kind of shied away from because it’s like you can’t be successful if you’re a gay man, but its okay if you’re a gay woman. And that isn’t fear."
His Sexual Preference: Homosexual
Julian Dean
“I’m glad he came out. They need somebody to represent the community. “I follow him on twitter so you know of course some people are bashing him, I don’t know why cuz he’s a regular person this is everyday stuff. But a lot of people know him more now. ‘A lot of people are like Frank Ocean? Oh I heard about him; let me listen to his music.’ And a lot of people are buying his album now. A lot of people respect him."
His Sexual Preference: Homosexual
“I’m glad he came out. They need somebody to represent the community. “I follow him on twitter so you know of course some people are bashing him, I don’t know why cuz he’s a regular person this is everyday stuff. But a lot of people know him more now. ‘A lot of people are like Frank Ocean? Oh I heard about him; let me listen to his music.’ And a lot of people are buying his album now. A lot of people respect him."
His Sexual Preference: Homosexual
Christian E.
“I think it’s great that he’s coming out, and I'm really happy with the way that the celebrities are supporting him, such as Beyoncé, that’s really nice to hear. When you have big names like that coming out is gonna have a domino effect and its good for the entire industry. Whats cool about the whole “coming out” thing is that it’s not so much of a big deal anymore and that’s how it should be."
His Sexual Preference: Straight
“I think it’s great that he’s coming out, and I'm really happy with the way that the celebrities are supporting him, such as Beyoncé, that’s really nice to hear. When you have big names like that coming out is gonna have a domino effect and its good for the entire industry. Whats cool about the whole “coming out” thing is that it’s not so much of a big deal anymore and that’s how it should be."
His Sexual Preference: Straight
David Barretto
“Even with Frank Ocean coming out to society about being bisexual my view on him doesn’t change even though other people might be skeptical because he’s gay. But I honestly believe in music and being gay or homosexual doesn’t matter, his music speaks for itself and being gay can come from anyone. I respect him so much more now as an artist."
His Sexual Orientation: Straight
“Even with Frank Ocean coming out to society about being bisexual my view on him doesn’t change even though other people might be skeptical because he’s gay. But I honestly believe in music and being gay or homosexual doesn’t matter, his music speaks for itself and being gay can come from anyone. I respect him so much more now as an artist."
His Sexual Orientation: Straight
Haddy Faal
“I wasn’t familiar with Frank Ocean, but now I am, through the youth and CNN. I'm happy he came out and is honest because he is remaining true to himself. I'm West African and Muslim so I come from a background where it’s not accepted to be gay or bi-sexual so it’s really hard of course but I'm not going to judge anyone, I think that we should accept people for who they are."
Her Sexual Preference: Straight
“I wasn’t familiar with Frank Ocean, but now I am, through the youth and CNN. I'm happy he came out and is honest because he is remaining true to himself. I'm West African and Muslim so I come from a background where it’s not accepted to be gay or bi-sexual so it’s really hard of course but I'm not going to judge anyone, I think that we should accept people for who they are."
Her Sexual Preference: Straight
“I'm not too familiar with Frank Ocean but I know he’s cute. In the kind of industry that he’s in, I applaud him for coming out because I know there are a lot of people that are probably gay or bisexual that have not come out due to fear. He may lose some fans but He’s always gonna have the gay community supporting him, and our community is growing and growing every day. Now a day’s most of the artists in the music industry make their music based on things that are happening in their lives, and that is what makes their music more interesting. So without Frank Ocean truly singing about his music nobody will genuinely believe his music. So he made the right decision."
His Sexual Preference: Gay
His Sexual Preference: Gay
Jewel
“More power to him, I read that he’s feeling a lot more free since he’s come out to the world and I think it’s a great thing for him. Being in New York City, being homosexual is a lot more widespread and more accepted than it used to be, that’s the way the world is nowadays, you have to be who you are”. I'm sure there are a lot of people that have been thinking about coming out, or not sure if they wanna come out but now the more people do talk about it, others will as well."
His Sexual Preference: Straight
“More power to him, I read that he’s feeling a lot more free since he’s come out to the world and I think it’s a great thing for him. Being in New York City, being homosexual is a lot more widespread and more accepted than it used to be, that’s the way the world is nowadays, you have to be who you are”. I'm sure there are a lot of people that have been thinking about coming out, or not sure if they wanna come out but now the more people do talk about it, others will as well."
His Sexual Preference: Straight
