All That Remains Singer: LGBT Community’s Plight Not the Same as That of Black People
All That Remains frontman Phil Labonte is no stranger to ruffling feathers, but the vocalist is still dealing with the backlash of his use of homophobic slurs. In a recent interview, Labonte addresses a decade old use of the word and opens up a can of worms comparing the plight and civil rights issues of the LGBT community to the black community.
In the latest issue of Revolver magazine, Labonte opened up about the first time he offended a large group of people. He mentions that he said the word ‘f—got’ in their 2005 DVD. In the interview Labonte said, “That was the first time people went, ‘Whoa, what did he say?’ I have nothing against gay people. It’s just a word.”
He added, “I think the only people that have a legit grievance when it comes to any racial slurs is the black community.” While the vocalist said he is not trying the “minimize” the importance of the plight of the LGBT community, he continued that “homosexuals were never property,” and that even though they have “had a rough time” the “black community has a whole lot more room to be upset about a word than the LGBT community.”
Below is the entire quote from Labonte (as posted by The PRP):
“In 2005, on the 'Sounds Of The Underground' DVD I said, 'PC is for f--gots.' That was the first time people went, 'Whoa, what did he say?' I have nothing against gay people. It’s just a word. Honestly, I think the only people that have a legit grievance when it comes to any racial slurs is the black community. I know the homosexual community has problems with it and I understand their hurt feelings.
But homosexuals were never property. They’ve had a rough time and I’m not trying to minimize that, but I think the black community has a whole lot more room to be upset about a word than the LGBT community. It’s one thing to say, 'This guy said something and it hurt my feelings and it bummed me out and it sucks.' Okay, that’s a good perspective. But I don’t know that you need a whole social movement.
When it comes to the s--t that black people have gone through I think it’s okay to be like, 'Well you know, that was seriously f--ked up. We need to do something about this.'”
Back in 2011, Labonte directed the same homophobic slur at Black Veil Brides’ vocalist Andy Biersack. The All That Remains frontman took to Facebook and Twitter to address the backlash he received from his statement.
All That Remains recently unleashed will released a new song titled 'This Probably Won't End Well.' The band will release their seventh studio album ‘The Order of Things,’ on Feb. 24 via, Razor & Tie. They will kick off theirt tour with In Flames and Wovenwar in Agoura Hills, Calif. on Feb. 20. To see their upcoming dates, check here.