Welcome Phillip!
So the nation’s favourite uncle is a battyman. Who’d have thunk it?! Clearly my gaydar is in need of some serious repairs because I thought it was a piss take when my friend told me the news this morning. To be honest (and even though he has two kids), I’ve never really got any vibes from him either way. I guess I’ve always thought of him as some kind of sexless Ken doll. You know, with the thigh gap and smooth genital mound.
I’m happy that Phillip finally feels able to be honest about who he really is, and that his family is supporting him. Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome!
Some things he should know to get him up to speed on gay life in 2020 are:
1) Meth is in. Healthy teeth and gums are sooo 2019
2) He is what’s known as a “daddy.” It would help if he grew a beard to make it clearer for the basic gays.
3) He has a lot of RuPaul’s Drag Race to catch up on.
4) Yes it does hurt the first time, but just breathe through it.
5) The assless pink chaps and prostate massager are in the post.
Joking aside, Phillip is going to have to start minding the company he keeps. Let’s not forget that just a couple of months ago he was more than happy to share a sofa, ki-ki, and take a selfie with Boris “tank top wearing bumboys” Johnson. As an out, white gay man in an immensely privileged position, it now behoves him to use his platform to speak up for our community. Let the dust settle Phillip, but then I want to see you say something! Honestly, I’m not holding out much hope. He’s always been decidedly middle of the road, and I’m not sure how This Morning viewers would take to him doing a piece to camera about fisting in the Midlands.
The fact that Phillip only felt comfortable to come out at 57, after fathering two children with a woman and living a heterosexual married life for almost 30 years, also says a lot about the state of our society, with regard to the negative, self-hating programming we still force on LGBTQIA+ people.
Here is a man who has worked in possibly the gayest industry on earth his entire life, has interviewed thousands of gay people, works with out gay people, presumably has tons of gay friends, is surrounded by positive gay role models, and STILL only felt able to come out now. Imagine the immense shame he must have felt all these years, wrestling with his feelings, lying to himself, suppressing and denying an integral part of himself, all to do what was expected of him by a society which, in many parts, still says gay is not ok. I’m not saying that he doesn’t love his wife and children very much but let’s face it, if we lived in a different world he would have built that loving family with a man. There are untold numbers of men of his generation in the same situation. We still have so much work to do.
When somebody feels able to come out, we should celebrate it. It takes a hell of a lot of courage; and so I’m raising a glass to Phillip today. But spare a thought for the millions of LGBTQIA+ people around the world who won’t be loved and supported like him when they come out.
Personally, I’m just waiting for the paparazzi shots of Phil emerging gurning and wide-eyed from the darkroom in Berghain, wearing a studded harness and dog collar. Hit me up Phil. I’ve got guest list.
