john barrowman, being gay

[gina32]

just watched this programme which was quite interesting on why people are gay, and it seems they dont become gay they are born that way, anyway my question is, why although he has an american accent after living there for many years,although born in glasgow did he speak with a scottish accent to his parents???? strange

[LeMarchand]

I found the accent thing bizarre, surely his folks have seen him do shows/interviews with his "transatlantic" accent - don't they think it odd that he speaks to them in a Scots accent?

Didn't watch much of the program - I find Barrowman annoying. (Is it only me that thinks he's getting more and more like Mike Myers with all the gurning, by the way?) I'd like to make a few points/ask some questions, though.

I was under the impression that the "1 in 10" figure is currently being called into doubt. I don't personally know any gay people (though I guess that I might, but just not know that they're gay), and have only worked with a couple. Surely, if the "1 in 10" figure is correct, I should know quite a few?

Also, most of what I saw of the program seemed to be concentrating on physiological causes/markers for gay men. I know Barrowman is a man(!), but did they look at such studies for gay women?

Following on from this, from jake's post, they obviously (at least briefly) looked at environment. Was there any more apart from a "twins" comparison?

A couple of the bits showed JB waiting for test results, worried that he might not show as "gay"? Why was he so worried? Surely he knows that he's gay, and so doesn't need to pass a "gay test"? (Or was he just being a drama queen?)

Finally, when they showed Barrowman's partner at the end, he just seemed like a "normal" guy (ie not as camp/flamboyant as Barrowman). Obviously, being gay does not equal being camp. Was any reason given, or perhaps someone could explain why so many gay men do assume the whole camp persona? Or is it just the ones employed as TV presenters? It's always bugged me because it seems that being "camp", as opposed to homosexual, seems not to be a biological function.

[MiniN]

following on from Barrowmans research what 'explains' bi-sexuality?

My brother who lives in Canada does the same accent thing (although not as prominent as Barrowmans). When he talks to us he sounds British when he is out and about in Canada, he sounds Canadian. weird!

[flip_flop]

The '1 in 10' thing is utter hokum if my experience is anything to go by.

I was brought up in SE London and at school had a wide circle of friends, most of whom I am still in touch with and none of whom are gay.

At college I had a wide circle of friends, most of whom I am still in touch with and none of whom are gay.

I am now in my mid 30's and over the years have met a lot of people and made friends with many of them, none of whom are gay.

1 in 10 in Soho Square may be true, but that is not representative of the country.

Am I unique in that all of the people I know are not gay.

Naah, probably not - the 1 in 10 thing is utter utter utter rubbish.

[Tizzi247]

I thought the programme was very interesting and I applaud the programme makers and John Barrowman for the way it was handled.

Does anyone remember a film or documentary about Quentin Crisp? The way people reacted to him was disgusting and I remember being upset about how people could treat another human being that way.

[know-ledge]

i don't mind gays......
but i dont want it rammed down my throat all the time.

[flip_flop]

I've got to say, each to their own and all that, and what legally happens between consenting adults is up to them, but as a heterosexual male, I've got to say the thought of having a mans penis rammed another mans backside is just utterly bizarre.

Still, whatever floats their boat I s'pose.

[flip_flop]

Damn Tejam, ya got me.

[saxy_jag]

The accent thing isn't too strange. I have a friend who speaks as broad a Leicester accent as you could imagine. However, she comes from Corby in Northants. The first time I heard her speaking to her brother, I couldn't understand a word she was talking about because the accent had turned into that broad, pseudo-Glaswegian accent of the Corby scot.

It was weird, I can tell you.

[beejaybee]

I have a friend who has lived in the North of England for over 40 years. When we talk, it`s in Welsh & her accent is as welsh as mine, but when she talks in English, she`s got a very Northen accent.