Former Gorgoroth Frontman Named ‘Homosexual of the Year’

Little more than a year ago, former Gorgoroth frontman Gaahl came out of the closet, revealing to the metal world that he's gay. Now he's being honored for his courage and for his contributions to the gay community in Bergen, Norway. According to reports, Gaahl was named 'Homosexual of the Year' last week during the annual Bergen Gay Galla.

Gaahl, who was born Kristian Espedal, was on hand to accept the honor and said, "I don't need an award to be myself. But if this can help other people in the same scene as me, it's a positive thing."

In a new article, Gaahl discusses his relationship with 19-year-old Robin Jakobsen, and how the two met. "It was after closing time," he says. "I was at Fincken [a gay bar in Bergen]. Robin came to the club to look for his former boyfriend. I was buzzed on white wine, and suddenly I saw a glowing figure in the door. That was Robin. I thought to myself that he must be mine."

But were metal fans surprised by Gaahl's revelation? "I think it's strange that it wasn't known before, but I never had a need to go public with it," he admits. "Finally a German journalist had the guts to ask the question, and I answered him. It wasn't any more painful than that."