Yoko Ono Believed John Lennon Was Gay

Paul McCartney has recounted a significant phone call he received from Yoko Ono in the days following John Lennon’s assassination in 1980. During the conversation, Ono expressed her belief that her husband may have had homosexual inclinations. McCartney shared this revelation during a 2015 interview with Vanity Fair, which was highlighted recently in connection with the premiere of a documentary titled *Man on the Run*, exploring McCartney’s life post-Beatles.

Yoko Ono’s Claims

In the interview, McCartney stated, “I swear she rang me shortly after John died and said, ‘You know, I think John might have been gay.’” However, he disagreed with her assertion, emphasizing their close relationship as bandmates. The two had spent much time together while touring, often sharing accommodations. McCartney found no indications of Lennon’s attraction to men during their years of camaraderie.

McCartney interpreted Ono’s comments as an expression of deep grief rather than a factual statement about Lennon’s sexuality. He compared her remarks to his own feelings after the death of his wife, Linda, noting that such assertions often stem from an emotional place.

Decades of Rumors

Ono revisited similar sentiments in a 2015 interview with the *Daily Beast*, ten years after her initial comments. While accepting an award from *Attitude*, a LGBTQ+ magazine, she discussed conversations she and Lennon had about bisexuality. Ono revealed that Lennon had indicated a willingness to engage with men if they met certain physical and intellectual criteria. She mentioned that in the year before his death, Lennon expressed that he had not encountered anyone fitting that description.

The Spain Trip

Speculation about Lennon’s sexuality has persisted for years, particularly surrounding a trip to Spain in April 1963 with Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who was openly gay. While the rest of the Beatles vacationed in the Canary Islands, Lennon chose to accompany Epstein. Lennon later described spending time with Epstein, stating they discussed attraction to men, suggesting an intimate connection. However, the nature of their relationship has been the subject of much debate.

Public Reactions

• At McCartney’s 21st birthday party, a DJ joked about Lennon’s closeness with Epstein, which led to a confrontation.
• Lennon later reflected that his anger during the incident indicated his discomfort with the implications of his relationship with Epstein.

In retrospect, McCartney speculated that the trip was more about power dynamics than sexual attraction. He suggested that Lennon recognized Epstein’s feelings and leveraged that dynamic to assert leadership within the group.

Additional Insights

Ono characterized Lennon as someone relatively open about his sexuality. She remarked that he appreciated assumptions about their relationship, indicating a level of comfort with the ambiguity surrounding his sexual identity. Despite various unsubstantiated rumors, including claims of a sexual relationship with Stuart Sutcliffe, early Beatles bassist, Lennon’s sexuality remains a point of intrigue among fans and biographers alike.

Tragically, John Lennon was murdered on December 8, 1980, outside his apartment in New York City, at the age of 40. His life and relationships continue to elicit discussion, revealing complexities that go beyond music.