Andrew Scott applauded for take on the term ‘openly gay’
"I’m backing Andrew Scott in retiring the phrase," said one person
All of Us Strangers actor Andrew Scott has been applauded for delivering his take on why the term “openly gay” should be dropped.
The actor, 47, recently took part in The Hollywood Reporter’s annual roundtable discussion series. He appeared alongside fellow actors Colman Domingo, Robert Downey Jr., Paul Giammati, Mark Ruffalo, as well as Jeffrey Wright.
In a clip that has been shared widely on social media in the last few days, Scott said he wanted to “make a pitch” for dropping the phrase.
“Hear me out, it’s an expression that we actually only ever hear in the media. You are never at a party and you say, ‘This is my openly gay…’ You never say it. Why do we put ‘openly’ in front of that adjective? We don’t say you’re ‘openly Irish,’ you don’t say you’re ‘openly left-handed’…”
He then clarified: “There’s something in it that’s a little near shamelessly.” Scott then said he would opt for just saying someone is “out” or “just don’t say anything at all.”
Following the publication of the clip, people took to social media to share their thoughts. While some questioned what the Fleabag actor was saying many understood.
“I’m backing Andrew Scott in retiring the phrase ‘openly gay,’ said one person. Another wrote: “He is right.”
“Andrew Scott you are perfect and will always be perfect,” someone else opined. Meanwhile another person agreed in full with Scott. “He is so right,” they said adding, “And they only do it in a bad way or to make it sound bad to be openly gay.”
Scott was up for a Golden Globe Award at the weekend for his role in All of Us Strangers. Sadly he lost out on the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama gong, which was taken home by Oppenheimer‘s Cillian Murphy.
All of Us Strangers is in UK cinemas from 26 January.