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Henry Rollins on Gay Marriage | Big Think

Big Think | March 26, 2026



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Why are some Americans so strongly opposed to gay marriage? Henry Rollins is convinced that not so many people are actually opposed. Instead he sees it as a fundraising tool for small fringe groups.
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HENRY ROLLINS:

Henry Rollins is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, writer, comedian, publisher, actor, and radio DJ. After performing for the short-lived Washington D.C.-based band State of Alert in 1980, Rollins fronted the California hardcore punk band Black Flag from August 1981 until mid-1986. Following the band’s breakup, Rollins soon established the record label and publishing company 2.13.61 to release his spoken word albums, as well as forming the Rollins Band, which toured with a number of lineups from 1987 until 2003, and during 2006. Since Black Flag, Rollins has embarked on projects covering a variety of media. He has hosted numerous radio shows, such as Harmony in My Head on Indie 103, and television shows such as The Henry Rollins Show, MTV’s 120 Minutes, and Jackass. He had a recurring dramatic role in the second season of Sons of Anarchy and has also had roles in several films. Rollins has also campaigned for various political causes in the United States, including promoting LGBT rights, World Hunger Relief, and an end to war in particular, and tours overseas with the United Service Organizations to entertain American troops.
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Comments

This post currently has 49 comments.

  14. @daveb224

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    The problem is he looks at it like it's a black and white issue. It doesn't have to be a matter of legal or illegal if two people can get married without it being legalized. If you think deeply about it, legalizing gay marriage is about the feminization of society, not about tolerance, love or hatred in regards to gays. Legalizing gay marriage is about feelings, not about promoting the family and procreation. It's a part of the death cult.

  21. @MichaelJPartyka

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    It's not a phobia to think what shouldn't exist also shouldn't be celebrated, affirmed, encouraged, made a positive example, etc. (Nor does a woman need the ability to kill her innocent children.)

  25. @lohengrin5530

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    Watching this after the orange cancer added Hispanics and Chinese to that "scapegoat" list is unreal. Edit: loved it, glad someone is actually "Christian" about other people's rights.

  26. @frankmesiti4824

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    Idiots like this man should stop pushing the lies that people against gay marriage means you hate homosexuals. Marriage was invented and inspired by God. It was meant only for a man to marry a woman. Bad luck if you don't like it. Stop spreading lies and hate against those who believe in God.

  30. @howdy1487

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    We are not only surrounded by The Gay. The Gay comes from us.
    My step-father's family is vehemently anti-gay. He has four siblings. Out of the five siblings, two had gay offspring. He never had offspring of his own. My step-father had a younger adopted brother. The adopted brother hid being gay until he turned 18. Gay is in the chromosomes. They are drawn to it. It comes from them. So, they overcompensate in their reaction against it and that is so obvious.

  31. @jonmo2694

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    Doesn't apply to me and i don't care, don't believe its moral ,but don't care that you don't care,,if i don't like you don't be near me, dont care

  36. @csimet

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    2025 here… this guy is spot on, but it is not getting better 10+ years on. You can substitute "islamaphobia", "immigrantaphobia" and "homophobia" at will here. They are all excuses to try and control others, while raising money to maintain your control as formal religious systems fall in popularity. You have the right to believe anything, but have zero right to force that belief upon others by law.

  42. @JPF_311

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    My favorite line re gay marriage comes from the writers of ‘Law & Order’ through the mouth of detective Lenny Briscoe “of course I support gay marriage.. they should have every right to be as miserable as the rest of us’ 😂 😂😂

  43. @ThruTheMatrix

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    Always goes on and on about the Christian and Right wing. Such a Libtard. Hard left communist Islamist's are far more a danger to Gay life and marriage. Saw Henry live – big fan, but his politics always disappointments me…..such a fool, just stick to your spoken word and yelling in a mic/writing books.

  44. @orlyt274

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    I understand this video is old. People on the "right" are not all religious. And even the many of the religious "right" side dont care. People deserve equality. Being you are from Cali Mr. Rollins, I hope you understnad many cities in Cali allow for domestic partnership. Infact many states and cities have alowed this so partnership regardless of sex can support each other. Compared to 12 years ago (posting of your video). Times have changed. Regardless this is a great video captured in short history. Henry is the the man!!!

  45. @Jil8840

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    Marriage is not for gay people, it's simple as that. It's for heterosexuals who basically want to start a family. Gay people cannot start a family. And, honestly, it's ridiculous.

  46. @bigbro6446

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    Just don’t be a dickhead and be respectful where respect is due, life is better with that mentality whether or not you’re left or right leaning, even centrist.

  47. @ArimaKihe1

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    Little did Rollins know that the gay community would pervert science, control speech, indoctrinate the youth, align themselves with any rabid anti social cause from communism to fundamentalist Islam and ultimately push for widespread acceptance of pedophilia. We all wish the gays were back in the closet now….

  48. @MikeB7244-u9g

    March 26, 2026 at 1:40 pm

    2024 and sadly the world, or a large measure of the people inhabiting it, has regressed a few steps.
    But my blackened crusted over cynical heart still holds a glimmer of hope that we will continue to make progress. To keep moving the ball forward.
    We're on the eve of the election and no one really truly knows what's going to happen.
    Hope

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