IS THE ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL ANTI-GAY???

I seriously doubt the festival’s founders or any of the bands on this year’s bill have any serious anti-gay sentiment (the rampant homophobia in the metal scene notwithstanding), but the question is worth asking about the annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival as a whole by association: Rockstar Energy Drink founder Russ Weiner and his father Michael Savage have an extensive track record of public anti-gay comments. From Change.org:

Russ Weiner (the beverage company’s CEO) also has a history of anti-LGBT comments.  At a Rockstar-sponsored concert last year, Weiner warmed up the crowd by chanting: “Who’s heterosexual and proud?!  If you aren’t, hopefully you will be soon!”

And since the apple often doesn’t fall far from the tree, here’s his father Michael Savage (who Change.org points out did not found the company with his son as originally reported, but may have other interests in it):

– “You want me to tell you what makes me sick? When I see two puffy white males kissing each other, I want to puke. When I see two women kissing each other, on the lips, as lovers, I want to vomit.”

– “…children’s minds are being raped by the homosexual mafia, that’s my position. They’re raping our children’s minds.”

I know it’s a big stretch to attach an anti-gay sentiment to a festival based on its sponsor, but I have a serious problem supporting a festival that takes its name and money from a product whose owners are blatant bigots. Thankfully this year’s headliners don’t exactly necessitate travel to New Jersey to look at giant Rockstar logos all day.

-VN