Everyone is aware that Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, was a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. In fact, he is one of the most popular queer artists of all time.
He died on Nov. 24, 1991, at the age of 45 due to bronchial pneumonia which was a result of his long-term battle with AIDS.
Mercury, despite his relatively short life, lived a life any musician would have wanted for themselves. He cemented his name and legacy before his death and will always be beloved by all.
Homophobic Slur
This teacher just found out what happens when you insult one of the most iconic and legendary singers in music history.
James Gardner was a physical education and science teacher at Broomhill Bank School in Tunbridge Well, and he is the teacher in question.
According to reports, Gardner was hit with a prohibition order and was banned from teaching until 2026.
He was found guilty of unacceptable and unprofessional conduct after calling Freddie Mercury a "f****t" in front of his students.
During class, a Queen song came on the radio, and he casually commented: "That man can sing for a f****t."
During the his three-day hearing with a panel, he reflected on his choice of words, "I should never have used inappropriate language as I did when saying Freddie Mercury was a fantastic singer, shame he was a f****t."
However, despite his acknowledgement of his wrong doing, Gardner doubled down on his initial statement, and claimed that his comment was a "joke."
"I realise this is an offensive word, but didn't mean to cause offence at the time," he wrote in a statement.
"I didn't mean it to come out like that as I was saying it as a joke, albeit in extremely bad taste it makes me cringe to think that I said it.
"I am not homophobic or racist in any way but realise how my words were not acceptable and have deep regret as it is not my true character to speak like that."
READ MORE: Meet BLACKPINK the Newly Crowned Darlings of Coachella: 'Feels Surreal We Did This!'
Who is Freddie Mercury?
It proves that speaking ill against Mercury is not the best course of action at any given moment.
Not when the "Bohemian Rhapsody" singer is a well-established singer, songwriter, composer, and performer.
He was so good at what he did that he is still remembered to this day, several decades after his death.
His bandmate, Brian May, even said that Mercury could make "the last person at the back of the furthest stand in a stadium feel that he was connected."
It seems like even after his death, he can still connect to people, and his legacy has not faded in any way, shape, or form.
READ ALSO: Meghan Trainor Takes Back 'F**k Teachers' Comment: 'That's Not How I Feel'
