Brian? Gay and Proud of it? Let's Get Real.
ORIGINALLY POSTED OCT 13, 2005 IN MRBRIANEPSTEIN
Signatures To Date = 26,997
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It's a losing battle, isn't it?
It would have been nice if he was ~ but excuse me, from everything I know about Brian he was not proud of his sexual orientation ~ he was miserable about it, and he spent all his life hitting his head against a brick wall trying to deal with it. The idea of being labeled as a gay symbol would have made him feel humiliated and would not have agreed with him at all.
During his short life, the only times he could let his hair down and be himself were the rare moments when he could socialize with other "friends of Dorothy" (a term that one of the Beatles used), such as Lionel Bart and David Jacobs, etc. in his, or their, homes. And even then he felt guilty about it. In mixed company he acted as repressively straight as he could, sometimes to the point of being snobbish, cold and unapproachable.
Of course, I'm certain that if he lived in today's world he would be thrilled with it all ... but still would prefer to be known first and foremost as an actor (hopefully someday), and a good and happy person (always). Unfortunately, this is not his image now.
Somebody PLEASE show me a text by a reputable author that shows proof Brian Epstein advocated gay rights, was proud of being gay, and wanted to come out of the closet, etc. I realize there are some writers who claim this, but they're not exactly totally reliable and are obviously pushing their own agendas.
By the way, nobody in Brian's day would have recognized the word "gay" as meaning "homosexual" ... other than the technical term "homosexual," the kindest word used was "queer" back then, whether we like it or not! And while we're talking semantics, in England a "fag" was merely a cigarette.
What brought this rant on with me today is the following example of something that I believe would not have sat right with him at all: A hard gays night >Note--scroll down on the page behind this link for a pic of the Lennon statue.
Be sure to notice the comment by member Loka from Hamburg.
Seems she's the only one who realized Brian would have been uncomfortable with all this.
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"Just thought folks who may be visiting Liverpool in the future might be interested to know the first gay bar has opened on Mathew St in the city centre. Located directly opposite The Cavern, the venue, going by the name "Patricks" features a photo with Brian Epstein taking pride of place in the main bar. Some may be amused that a statue of John Lennon stands right outside, leaning against the pubs wall (if the rumours are to be believed)
I've been in there myself and I'd highly recommend it. Just can't believe a gay bar in the city hasn't picked up on the Epstein thing* long ago."
__________________
Live the 'pool
liverpooltales.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by PJMulholland : Oct 07, 2005 at 05:00 AM.
Hello. *The Epstein "Thing" that I grew up with (until that wretched Peter Brown book came out) was comprised of a great many wonderful things, but had nothing at all to do with being gay. Or troubled. His death was the only downer, and seemed at that time to be (and was, in fact) a horrible hippie-era drug-related ACCIDENT.
Now THIS is so much more like the type of tribute Brian would have been in tune with. I'm so glad that a few people have the sensitivity to honor him in a way that he would have indeed been proud of:
THE NEPTUNE THEATRE
Although he had nothing to do with the Neptune, the theatre was dedicated to the memory of Beatles manager Brian Epstein by the city council in 1997, for his contributions to the city's cultural and musical scene. Local artist Tony Brown offered a portrait (pictured here) of Epstein on permanent loan to the theatre in 1999 and this now hangs in the bar of the theatre that the locals affectionately call "The Neppy."
Don't get me wrong. Personally I find it heartwarming and mind-blowing that Brian can be someone that people of different cultural backgrounds and preferences can look to and be inspired by as a visionary and promotional genius who changed the world -- incredibly! -- but, let's face it, trying to set him up also as a role model for gay people? That's living in a dream world. He was closeted, repressed, tormented and totally miserable with his orientation.
I wish everyone would focus on his happiness, which was more often his usual nature. That's the way he wanted people to see him! Anyone who knew him personally will tell you that he would light up a room with his wit and joy of life. Unfortunately, interviewers and journalists prefer to write and dwell upon the sad and bad times. Happiness doesn't sell books.
Signatures To Date = 26,997
Help Us! Click
www.brianepstein.com
It's a losing battle, isn't it?
It would have been nice if he was ~ but excuse me, from everything I know about Brian he was not proud of his sexual orientation ~ he was miserable about it, and he spent all his life hitting his head against a brick wall trying to deal with it. The idea of being labeled as a gay symbol would have made him feel humiliated and would not have agreed with him at all.
During his short life, the only times he could let his hair down and be himself were the rare moments when he could socialize with other "friends of Dorothy" (a term that one of the Beatles used), such as Lionel Bart and David Jacobs, etc. in his, or their, homes. And even then he felt guilty about it. In mixed company he acted as repressively straight as he could, sometimes to the point of being snobbish, cold and unapproachable.
Of course, I'm certain that if he lived in today's world he would be thrilled with it all ... but still would prefer to be known first and foremost as an actor (hopefully someday), and a good and happy person (always). Unfortunately, this is not his image now.
Somebody PLEASE show me a text by a reputable author that shows proof Brian Epstein advocated gay rights, was proud of being gay, and wanted to come out of the closet, etc. I realize there are some writers who claim this, but they're not exactly totally reliable and are obviously pushing their own agendas.
By the way, nobody in Brian's day would have recognized the word "gay" as meaning "homosexual" ... other than the technical term "homosexual," the kindest word used was "queer" back then, whether we like it or not! And while we're talking semantics, in England a "fag" was merely a cigarette.
What brought this rant on with me today is the following example of something that I believe would not have sat right with him at all: A hard gays night >Note--scroll down on the page behind this link for a pic of the Lennon statue.
Be sure to notice the comment by member Loka from Hamburg.
Seems she's the only one who realized Brian would have been uncomfortable with all this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Just thought folks who may be visiting Liverpool in the future might be interested to know the first gay bar has opened on Mathew St in the city centre. Located directly opposite The Cavern, the venue, going by the name "Patricks" features a photo with Brian Epstein taking pride of place in the main bar. Some may be amused that a statue of John Lennon stands right outside, leaning against the pubs wall (if the rumours are to be believed)
I've been in there myself and I'd highly recommend it. Just can't believe a gay bar in the city hasn't picked up on the Epstein thing* long ago."
__________________
Live the 'pool
liverpooltales.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by PJMulholland : Oct 07, 2005 at 05:00 AM.
Hello. *The Epstein "Thing" that I grew up with (until that wretched Peter Brown book came out) was comprised of a great many wonderful things, but had nothing at all to do with being gay. Or troubled. His death was the only downer, and seemed at that time to be (and was, in fact) a horrible hippie-era drug-related ACCIDENT.
Now THIS is so much more like the type of tribute Brian would have been in tune with. I'm so glad that a few people have the sensitivity to honor him in a way that he would have indeed been proud of:
THE NEPTUNE THEATRE
Although he had nothing to do with the Neptune, the theatre was dedicated to the memory of Beatles manager Brian Epstein by the city council in 1997, for his contributions to the city's cultural and musical scene. Local artist Tony Brown offered a portrait (pictured here) of Epstein on permanent loan to the theatre in 1999 and this now hangs in the bar of the theatre that the locals affectionately call "The Neppy."
Don't get me wrong. Personally I find it heartwarming and mind-blowing that Brian can be someone that people of different cultural backgrounds and preferences can look to and be inspired by as a visionary and promotional genius who changed the world -- incredibly! -- but, let's face it, trying to set him up also as a role model for gay people? That's living in a dream world. He was closeted, repressed, tormented and totally miserable with his orientation.
I wish everyone would focus on his happiness, which was more often his usual nature. That's the way he wanted people to see him! Anyone who knew him personally will tell you that he would light up a room with his wit and joy of life. Unfortunately, interviewers and journalists prefer to write and dwell upon the sad and bad times. Happiness doesn't sell books.