In the latest issue of the New Yorker, writer Claire Hoffman checks up on the Artist-Currently-Known-As-Prince in his new Los Angeles mansion and finds that the flamboyantly androgynous musician (who was one pelted with garbage when he appeared as an opening act for the Rolling Stones wearing bikini briefs, leg warmers and high-heeled boots) is now a religious homophobe.
Apparently the Jehova’s Witness convert has been taking time out of his door-to-door prostelizings to host a meeting with an executive who works with Colorado’s favorite conservative Christian bazillionaire, Phil Anschutz. Along with founding Qwest and owning several soccer teams, stadiums and newspapers, Anschutz bankrolled the fantasy Christian propaganda film The Chronicles of Narnia and, in 1992, helped fund Colorado’s anti-gay Amendment 2 initiative.
Why would an associate of a financial rainmaker meet with Mr. Purple Rain? To talk politics, of course. They discussed red state Republicans, whom Prince feels take the Bible literally, and the Democrats, who are, "like, ‘You can do whatever you want.’ Gay marriage, whatever. But neither of them is right."
When asked about his perspective on social issues -- gay marriage, abortion -- Prince tapped his Bible and said, "God came to earth and saw people sticking it wherever and doing it with whatever, and he just cleared it all out. He was, like, ‘Enough.'"
Uh, so much for not taking the Bible literally. Wonder which way Prince voted on Proposition 8?
It should also be noted that during the New Yorker interview, Prince was dressed in "yoga pants and a big sweater, wearing platform flip-flops over white socks, like a geisha." – Jared Jacang Maher