i dunno why he rejected the 'drag queen' label - maybe b/c he didn't want to be pigeon-holed as a performer. if so i get it.

but he was definitely out. he lived openly as a gay man and had romantic relationships w/men. openly. he wasn't closeted.

so yeah, he belongs on the list of openly gay R&B singers. or maybe openly gay Disco singers if we wanna be too technical.