Homophobia, Celebrity and the Media

Those of you in the UK will probably already have a good idea what this is about already. 

For you guys outside, here is some background. 

On the 10th October 2009, a young man of 33 was found dead in his holiday home in Majorca. The autopsy revealed that he had died of natural causes. 

So far, so tragic, so sad. Now let's add in the extra details. 

The young man's name was Stephen Gately. He had been in a band called Boyzone who had loads of success in the 90's and had recently reformed and were doing really well. Stephen had also had a career in musical theatre in the West End of London, working with Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was, by all accounts, a sweet and loving individual who had battled with extreme depression but had come out of the other side and was loving his life. 

When we lose people it's always sad. We've all been there. We grieve and we celebrate their lives and we try and cope with the fact that we won't see them again. When it's a younger person, the pain is all the more acute and my sympathies go out to Stephen's family, friends and his husband. 

Oh wait, did I just say husband? Yes I did. Someone had threatened to 'out' Stephen so in 1999 he came out publicly. I imagine that that's frightening. He married his partner Andrew in 2006. 

So what the hell was this person thinking when they wrote this. 

That article was published before Stephen had even been laid to rest. I have just re-read it again to make sure the link was correct and I am still stunned. 

I would add my opinion, but journalist Charlie Brooker says it so much better than I can here.

The outcry and backlash here has been immediate and immense. And, in my opinion, justified. 

The Brooker article contains a link to the Press Complaints Commission and there is also an online petition  for UK residents should you wish to add your voice.

I look forward to reading Jan Moir's articles about ethnic minorities and religion. I'm sure they will be sensitive and well balanced pieces. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Stephen's loved ones. I hope, now that he has taken his final journey, they can begin to try and come to terms with their loss. 

 

RIP Stephen.