“Metal God” marries his longtime partner

 - by Robin Dorner
   Aggregate Report

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, 74, revealed in September 2025 that he married his longtime partner, Thomas Pence, in a private ceremony around 2024. The couple, together for over 30 years, held a simple, intimate ceremony by a cactus at their home, with only a few friends in attendance.

Halford told Scissor Sisters singer Jake Shears on his Queer the Music podcast this week that after years of putting it off, the couple finally made it official in a small, private ceremony in 2024.

Halford said in a YouTube video snippet that he had asked Thomas to marry him several times. Finally, Thomas turned to him one day and said, “I think it’s time we get married.”

Key Details of the Marriage:

• The Couple: Rob Halford and Thomas Pence have been in a relationship for over three decades.
• The Ceremony: Described as “beautiful” and “simple,” it took place by a cactus in their Phoenix, Arizona, home.
• The Proposal: After years of hesitation from Thomas, he unexpectedly proposed during a nighttime walk.
• Attendance: The ceremony was very private, with only four people in total present.

Halford, known as the “Metal God” and the first openly gay heavy metal star, came out in 1998.

“Gay Culture Geeks” commented on social media, “What makes this story even more touching is the journey it took to get there. For years, Rob had asked Thomas to marry him, only to be told no. Thomas, originally from conservative Alabama, wasn’t ready. But during one of their evening walks together, Thomas surprised him by saying “I think we should get married.” Rob immediately called a pastor that same night.

‘“It was just a beautiful, simple ceremony,” Rob shared. “The commitment goes to another level when you get married... after being together for 35 years, it’s working.”’

“For those who know Rob’s story, this moment feels especially meaningful. He became the first openly gay frontman in heavy metal when he came out on MTV in 1998, facing homophobia and even places he couldn’t return to because of his sexuality.

“Now, still touring and performing with the same power that made him a metal legend, Rob has found the simple joy of being legally bound to the man he’s loved for over three decades.”

The Gayly online. 01/27/26 @ 12:42 p.m. CST.