London mayoral hopeful Ivan Massow: Gay men don’t know how to behave
Gay Tory 2016 London mayoral candidate Ivan Massow has claimed gay men do not know how to behave.
In an interview with Gaydio, the 47-year-old businessman said the London gay scene has a “huge drug issue” and that it was time to take a “hard line” and to “grow up collectively”.
Mr Massow warned that “unsafe sex” is at a “completely new level” and that crystal meth posed a challenge to the health and wellbeing of gay and bisexual men in the capital.
He claimed a straight mayor would be unable to deal with the problem as it would be seen as homophobic.
“You need to take someone gay to take a hard line with ourselves, with our own community.”
Mr Massow warned of the growing rise in injecting drug use. “Then there is the question whether clubs generally should be slightly more responsible for the way people behave in them,” Mr Massow said. “I know many of these ‘slamming’ parties happen in private homes.
“I think it’s going to be really difficult to tackle but I think it starts with a strong conversation.”
Mr Massow attracted controversy last year when he complained that today’s gay scene seems “obsessed” with drugs and sex, resulting in an empty world of hedonism.
He said: “We, the gay community, are becoming a group of people who suddenly have everything and nothing, all at once.
“I don’t want our community to deal with this just because I find our behaviour embarrassing. God only knows I’ve embarrassed myself enough not to throw stones. I think fun in moderation is great.”
Meanwhile, a string of celebrities have issued support for Ivan Massow’s bid to become the next Mayor of London.
TV illusionist Derren Brown tweeted that it was “excellent news”.
Excellent news – the delightful @ivanmassow (from The Great Art Robbery) is running for Mayor of London! https://t.co/7L4I6rVcmg
— Derren Brown (@DerrenBrown) November 24, 2014
And that it would add “fun” to the campaign.
The @ivanmassow campaign will attract some colourful attention… It’ll certainly be refreshing and fun. Boris’ll seem dour in comparison. — Derren Brown (@DerrenBrown) November 24, 2014
Joan Collin said she was “thrilled”.
My dear friend @IvanMassow is standing for London Mayor. A progressive choice for London and I’m thrilled. See https://t.co/J9wkWdPY88
— Joan Collins (@joancollinsobe) November 24, 2014
Russell Tovey also tweeted that it was “pretty cool”.
Just found out my mate Ivan Massow is running for #LondonMayor which is pretty cool https://t.co/UYPBPegR0A
— russell tovey (@russelltovey) November 24, 2014
Boris Johnson stands down in May 2016 and has ruled out a third term.
