Richard Hammond, 47, has hit out at those accusing him of being homophobic, after causing a Twitter storm last week when he questioned why gay people come out publicly
Richard Hammond has hit out at those accusing him of being homophobic after he questioned why gay people come out publicly.
The former Top Gear host faced a backlash on social media after saying it is ‘old-fashioned’ to make a big deal of someone announcing their sexuality.
‘When I hear of people in the media coming out, I think, why do they even feel the need to mention it?’ Hammond, 47, said in an interview last week.
Causing outrage, he added: ‘It is so old-fashioned to make a big deal of it. That isn’t even an interesting thing to say at a dinner party any more.’
The comments sparked a Twitter storm with members of the LGBT+ community attacking him as being homophobic.
Backtracking on his statements however, the Grand Tour host sought to clarify what he had originally meant.
The former Top Gear host faced a backlash on social media after saying it is ‘old-fashioned’ to make a big deal of someone announcing their sexuality. The remarks sparked outrage online as some labelled the presenter homophobic (pictured from left with Top Gear and Grand Tour co-hosts James May and Jeremy Clarkson)
The comments sparked a Twitter storm with members of the LGBT+ community attacking him as being homophobic. Backtracking on his statements however, the Grand Tour host sought to clarify what he had originally meant
‘The last thing I am is in any way anti-gay or homophobic because love is life and if you’re lucky enough to find someone you love, it doesn’t matter,’ Hammond said on Thursday.
‘I think what I was saying is my daughter’s generation – perhaps in my rather comfortable, middle-class little world – it simply isn’t an issue. Coming out isn’t an issue.’
Acknowledging that his view point may have one made from a privileged position, he added: ‘Now I know full well that there are people in parts of the world for who it’s a massive issue and my heart goes out to anybody who is wrestling with the need to be themselves, or for the fact they’re being persecuted for doing that.
‘The very last thing that I would want to do is make that process difficult for anyone.’
The car enthusiast made the initial comments when he was questioned by The Times over his previous claim in the debut season of the Amazon Prime show that the reason he did not eat ice cream was ‘something to do with being straight’.
His comments about why gay people felt the need to announce their sexuality led to fierce debate online.
‘The last thing I am is in any way anti-gay or homophobic because love is life and if you’re lucky enough to find someone you love, it doesn’t matter,’ Hammond said on Thursday
‘I think what I was saying is my daughter’s generation – perhaps in my rather comfortable, middle-class little world – it simply isn’t an issue. Coming out isn’t an issue’ he added
One Twitter user, Richard Ellis, said: ‘One reason gays still make a big deal out of it is because there are still 70+ countries in the world where someone can be jailed or even executed for being gay.’
While another commentator, directly aiming their message at Hammond, said: ‘You should be ashamed of yourself. We who identify as LGBTQI+ come out to create an acceptance and help those who are struggling to deal with their sexuality know it gets better.’
A further Twitter user, Dolly Darren, said: ‘As a gay man who’s been out for 30 years and regularly faced homophobia, can I respectfully ask that you don’t comment on subjects you know nothing about.’
The car enthusiast made the initial comments when he was questioned by The Times over his previous claim in the debut season of the Amazon Prime show that the reason he did not eat ice cream was ‘something to do with being straight’
Directly aiming their message at Hammond, said: ‘You should be ashamed of yourself. We who identify as LGBTQI+ come out to create an acceptance and help those who are struggling to deal with their sexuality know it gets better.’
One Twitter user, Richard Ellis, said: ‘One reason gays still make a big deal out of it is because there are still 70+ countries in the world where someone can be jailed or even executed for being gay’
A further Twitter user, Dolly Darren, said: ‘As a gay man who’s been out for 30 years and regularly faced homophobia, can I respectfully ask that you don’t comment on subjects you know nothing about.’
Opinions were not universal as one defended the presenter’s clumsy use of words, writing: ‘I agree with Richard Hammond. He wasn’t even being homophobic. He just doesn’t get why people are making a big deal about coming out in this day and age. It shouldn’t matter.’
Though opinions were not universal as one defended the presenter’s clumsy use of words, writing: ‘I agree with Richard Hammond. He wasn’t even being homophobic. He just doesn’t get why people are making a big deal about coming out in this day and age. It shouldn’t matter.’
His comments came despite recent research from charity Stonewall showing nearly half of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender) children in Britain’s schools are bullied for their sexuality or gender.
Stonewall surveyed more than 3,700 school pupils this year to find 45% of LGBT students said they have been bullied because of the way they are and that 52% said they regularly hear homophobic language.