Celebrity Big Brother: Courtney Act smashes John Barnes’ stereotypes about gay men
(Photo: American Idol / Youtube)
Drag star Courtney Act challenged former footballer John Barnes over ‘homophobic’ stereotypes about gay men on Celebrity Big Brother.
During scenes broadcast on Saturday night, Courtney- who goes by their given name Shane when not in drag- addressed some remarks made by John Barnes throughout the show.
John has previously said that Andrew Brady would be ‘out of the club’ if anything sexual happened between him and Courtney, as there have been many rumours about the pair.
When challenged by Shane, John acknowledged that whilst he knew the comments were wrong but said that he thought they could be realistic.
(Photo: Channel 5)
He said: “That dialogue is symptomatic of reality at the moment.
“Everything I’ve been saying here has been a product of my environment. Things we know to be wrong, we can’t help thinking that.”
He continued: “Whilst I know it’s wrong, I do know that possibly that would be that things are.
“I know that I should not be that way but I’m 54 years old, I cant just think that naturally,” he said.
John Barnes (Photo by Anesh Debiky/ITM Group via Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Shane and John then discussed the stereotype that many heterosexual men are uncomfortable around gay men.
“They’re thinking he’s going to make a move on me, there’s an uncomfortable feeling that he’s going to pounce on me,” John said.
Shane was quick to challenge this stereotype, saying: “with straight men there’s something more fragile with their heterosexuality.
“They’re threatened by the idea that another man would find them attractive.”
Shane/Courtney has previously challenged other housemates for their outdated attitudes and ‘fragile heterosexuality’ before.
(Photo: Channel 5)
Discussing the conversation later with fellow housemate Malika Haqq, Courtney said that John had given her a ‘well-considered answer.’
Courtney said: “He was straight-faced and honest. It was more than you could hope for.”
(Photo: Channel 5)
A wider group then began to reference an unbroadcast part of the earlier discussion with John, where stereotypes of masculine gay men were smashed.
Courtney explained that John had originally thought that masculine gay men could only be stereotypically butch, with thick moustaches and leather jackets.
She clarified this, saying: “A masculine man is exactly the same as what you think is a masculine man, but who happens to have sex with men.”
“For John, a gay man who doesn’t have limp wrists is a straight man,” she added.
Wayne Sleep, a famous dancer and gay man said: “But that is so black and white?
(Photo @BBUK /Twitter)
He added: “Where’s the rainbow colours?”
Many Celebrity Big Brother viewers have heavily criticised John Barnes on Twitter, with several people calling his words ‘homophobic.’
(Photo: @ /Twitter)
(Photo: @ /Twitter)
Although it was not completely clear whether these stereotypes were an accurate reflection of John’s opinions, his comments have caused significant controversy.
Watch Courtney smash stereotypes with Wayne and Malika below
“Where’s the rainbow colours?” @CourtneyAct sets the record straight on masculine gay men… #CBB pic.twitter.com/4lgEkvu5rs
— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) January 20, 2018
