New Bohemian Rhapsody trailer criticized for 
straight-washing Freddie Mercury

Critics have slammed 20th Century Fox’s first trailer for the upcoming biopic of “Bohemian Rhapsody” saying it ignores Freddie Mercury’s sexuality.

The first trailer released this week faced a backlash from LGBT activists and Producer Bryan Fuller - who took to Twitter to vent his frustration at what was shown in the first sneak-peak of the biopic.

Speaking out against the trailer, Fuller was “mildly annoyed” at how it depicts Freddie Mercury in a scene flirting with a woman but doesn’t provide any visual reference or indication for his love of men. Fuller went on further to say from a marketing perspective it had been done on purpose to focus on Mercury’s relationship with a woman instead of a man.

There was also concern among viewers who watched the trailer this week that the film may avoid his sexuality altogether and instead focus on a heterosexual narrative to appeal to mainstream audiences.

Bohemian Rhapsody trailer

Mercury’s sexuality was regularly discussed in the media throughout his career. He had a longterm relationship with Mary Austin, who he met through Brian May, and then he went on to date hairdresser Jim Hutton. The former Queen frontman admitted to contracting AIDS the day before his passing and Hutton took care of him in his final years, nursing him during his time of illness, until his death in 1991.

Mercury’s hit songs included “Bohemian Rhapsody,” "We Are the Champions" and "Somebody to Love.”

The new biopic stars Rami Malek (as Mercury), Mike Myers, Joseph Mazzello and Aidan Gillen, and is set for release November 2nd.

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