SOBER HERO –
July 22, 2025 – Known around the world as the “Prince of Darkness,” Osbourne redefined what it meant to be a rock star. From his pioneering work with Black Sabbath in the 1970s to his outrageous solo career and reality TV fame, Osbourne remained an unpredictable force in music, pop culture, and, notably, activism. Osbourne was more than just a heavy metal icon – he was an unexpected but vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. In the 1980s, during the height of the AIDS crisis – a time when much of the world turned its back on the queer community – Osbourne took a firm and public stance. After one of his guitarists made a homophobic comment during a concert, Osbourne responded not with silence, but with action.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Osbourne made donations to AIDS Long Beach and other LGBTQ+ organizations in the wake of the incident. His support was not performative; it was financial, public, and deeply appreciated by queer fans who often felt unwelcome in rock spaces.
Decades later, Osbourne continued to speak out. In 2010, he publicly condemned the hate group Westboro Baptist Church after they used his song “Crazy Train” during one of their anti-gay protests.
