02/11/2008
John Barrowman: Some People Are Gay, Get Over It
John Barrowman speaks to UK magazine Bent in its February issue about how his sexuality affects the way fans, particularly kids, perceive his Torchwood character Captain Jack.
Says Barrowman: "My nieces and nephews have known I was gay since they were born. It's always been Uncle John and Uncle Scott and that's the way it should be. People joke, 'Oh John, get off your soap box', but it is a soapbox and it's something that matters to me. It's normal, we have partners, we have sex, and we do the same, well, sort of things that men and women do... I’ve worked a lot with kids and kids don’t care, they are open to stuff. At a signing a father asked his five year old son if he wanted my autograph and he said ‘yeah, I don’t care if he likes men, he’s still my hero’."
Barrowman recently lent his support to a campaign by UK gay rights group Stonewall to fight homophobic bullying in schools, and the campaign is now set to go national. The UK will soon be plastered with hundreds of posters and stickers that hope to raise awareness about bullying and hate crimes.
The campaign will occupy space donated by Titan Outdoor Advertising Ltd in 53 locations in Scotland and hundreds of others across England and Wales. Said Barrowman : "Join me in Stonewall’s Education for All campaign and help exterminate homophobia. Be bold. Be brave. Be a buddy not a bully."
Posted 10:35 AM EST by Andy Towle in Advertising, Bullying, Crime, Great Britain, John Barrowman, Magazines, News | Permalink
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John Barrowman, you're _MY_ hero too!
Posted by: tjc | Feb 11, 2008 10:49:53 AM
What an AWESOME role model! How can we bring that campaign here?
Posted by: Jesse Archer | Feb 11, 2008 10:59:35 AM
that 5 year old is my hero. how touching.
Posted by: dan b | Feb 11, 2008 11:05:45 AM
A 5-year-old boy has that level of understanding of human sexuality? Someone's nose is growing. Well, at least he's not still doing interviews about his cock and who he fucks.
Posted by: Cynical Sam | Feb 11, 2008 11:13:19 AM
Please keep up the Torchwood coverage because the show is light years ahead of anything else on television now. It's out on DVD in the US now.
Posted by: FASTLAD | Feb 11, 2008 11:32:35 AM
...every saturday night, on BBC America....
Posted by: kile Ozier | Feb 11, 2008 11:50:51 AM
I'm not thrilled with the fact that John chooses to brag about his being fauned all over by Valentino as in the last article Andy posted. However, I am glad to see that John also tends to give back to the gay community and is a visible role model for todays youth. The man is definitely a paradox.
Whatever, he is an incredible talent and socially conscious so I suppose I'll just take the rest with a grain of salt and enjoy the good things John brings to the table.
BTW, if anyone reading this post gets the opportunity to see John perform in person, go for it. He'll blow you away!!
Love to John and Scott.
Posted by: JerzeeMike | Feb 11, 2008 12:08:21 PM
I'm not thrilled with the fact that John chooses to brag about his being fauned all over by Valentino as in the last article Andy posted. However, I am glad to see that John also tends to give back to the gay community and is a visible role model for todays youth. The man is definitely a paradox.
Whatever, he is an incredible talent and socially conscious so I suppose I'll just take the rest with a grain of salt and enjoy the good things John brings to the table.
BTW, if anyone reading this post gets the opportunity to see John perform in person, go for it. He'll blow you away!!
Love to John and Scott.
Posted by: JerzeeMike | Feb 11, 2008 12:09:46 PM
The last post about John Barrowman being chased by Valentino was disheartening. I always liked John, but he showed his huge ego a bit too much. Now I take whatever he says with a grain of salt!
Posted by: wow, a celeb with a huge ego | Feb 11, 2008 1:10:27 PM
I love that cheesy 'Torchwood' show - it's one of my favorites! And I love John Barrowman for stating who he is with no cowardice. Now imagine if every closet case in Hollywood did the same! Actually, screw Hollywood, imagine if EVERY person, celebrity or not, stopped cowering in their pathetic closets! You say you want a revolution...
Posted by: jeffreychrist | Feb 11, 2008 1:11:47 PM
What a shame we could never have such a simple, clear, direct campaign here in the states. By the time the PC committees got though with it, it would come out something like "Some people are LGBTQXYZ. Accomodate." and lose all of its impact.
Posted by: Michael M. | Feb 11, 2008 1:18:36 PM
I wish more people knew how amazing John Barrowman is especially in the US. He's an amazing actor and singer and just all around terrific. I think he's definitely a great gay role model.
Posted by: Monica | Feb 11, 2008 5:09:05 PM
I love Torchwood and I adore John.
Posted by: Rob (lrdarystar) | Feb 11, 2008 6:24:50 PM
A man of talent and substance! We need more of Mr. Barrowman's type. Bravo.
Posted by: IowaCraig | Feb 11, 2008 9:35:33 PM
John Barrowman is definitely my hero. I'm a good way through his autobiography, and I've got to say he's changed the way I think about a lot of stuff. He's got really inspirational stories in there, and there's a bit about Valentino and he in there, too, that I think tells it simply as it is. His whole attitude has helped me be more comfortable about who I am as a person of the bisexual persuasion. Not only is he totally hot, he's an excellent role-model to boot. Sure, we all have foot-in-mouth-rather-than-tongue-in-cheek moments, but that's no reason to think less of anyone.
Posted by: Brennan | Feb 11, 2008 11:36:06 PM
i love this guy and have for a very long time. he grew up near where i use to work in the U.S. his father worked in the U.S.
i don't know if he's still doing it with his work schedule now, but he use to come back every summer and do a 1-2 week workshop for kids at the high school to work with them on the arts - with singing, acting, directing, etc.
i really would love to meet him someday. he lives what a lot of others dream...
Posted by: mike/ | Feb 12, 2008 12:21:27 AM
Wow, American youth need more role models like John to demonstrate that we can be ourselves, respect our differences, and give back to the community. Goodness knows our country cannot rely on our athletes to provide role models anymore, aside from the odd good guy.
Red rover, red rover, let John Barrowman come over [and send back Beckham]!
Posted by: Ted | Feb 12, 2008 12:43:25 AM
John is one of the best role models on the tube.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the reason that Torchwood is so cool is that the orginal creator was Russell T Davies. Correct me if I'm wrong or wasn't Russell the orginal creator of the British Queer as Folk?
BBC America is a great channel if you can get it.
Cheers
Posted by: BrokebackBob | Feb 16, 2008 4:19:21 PM
I'm so glad thad he got his own series...I loved him in Dr. Who and I (and my partner) love his character in 'Torchwood'. Thanks for speaking on behalf of all of us and please - keep up the positive work!!! It's about time children will have a good roll model instead of all of the messy Hollywood types controlling the news these days. We need more people like John Barrowman.
Posted by: Tim | Feb 17, 2008 4:55:01 PM
You're right BROKEBACKBOB-- Russell T Davies is the guy who originated QUEER AS FOLK in the UK. A fine TV writer if there ever was one! The revitalized DR. WHO was the originator of Jack Harkness, Barrowman's character on TORCHWOOD. The last five episodes of DOCTOR WHO'S Season 1 guest-stars John as Jack. Then TORCHWOOD spun off... the title TORCHWOOD being an anagram of DOCTOR WHO.
Anyway-- sorry for the digression-- Davies is to be credited with busting out new frontiers for fully human gay characters on TV. Leave it to the Brits...!
Posted by: Kevin | Mar 16, 2008 6:01:31 PM
You're right BROKEBACKBOB-- Russell T Davies is the guy who originated QUEER AS FOLK in the UK. A fine TV writer if there ever was one! The revitalized DR. WHO was the originator of Jack Harkness, Barrowman's character on TORCHWOOD. The last five episodes of DOCTOR WHO'S Season 1 guest-stars John as Jack. Then TORCHWOOD spun off... the title TORCHWOOD being an anagram of DOCTOR WHO.
Anyway-- sorry for the digression-- Davies is to be credited with busting out new frontiers for fully human gay characters on TV. Leave it to the Brits...!
Posted by: Kevin | Mar 16, 2008 6:02:18 PM
for sure we need this campaign here in the states....what an awesome role model he is ....and damn fine looking too
Posted by: dave | Apr 9, 2008 1:32:45 PM