John Barrowman Apologizing For Inappropriate Behavior Begs a Question: Can Gay Men Get Away With Sexual Harassment When Directed At Women?

Very recently, John Barrowman, the out gay actor best known for his role as the dashing, omnisexual (meaning he banged everyone and everything!) rapscallion Captain Jack Harness on Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood, has had to deliver a second round of apologies for apparently inappropriate behavior on the set of Doctor Who. While this happened many years ago (with his first apology coming in 2008), it all came to light again as many women have recently accused his costar Noel Clarke of sexual harassment. During investigations into the matter, video resurfaced of a Doctor Who panel in which Clarke discussed Barrowman's proclivity for pulling his dick out any chance he got, "every five minutes" and slapping people with it. And car windows. (huh?) Video of the conversation are in both links.

John Barrowman (r) in a scene with Torchwood costar Gareth David-Lloyd

Interestingly, depending on who you read, Barrowman either sexually harassed people, or it was all in good fun. My guess is it was the latter, which we've of course come to learn in this #metoo era is really a form of the former. In fact when you watch the clip of the Doctor Who panel, everyone seems to be having a good laugh over the whole matter, as Clarke uses the microphone as a cock prop, slapping the actresses on either side of him to demonstrate. And therein lies my question. Do gay men get more of a pass when it comes to behavior with women that would land straight men deep in the doghouse? And if so, why?

Based on simply my own experiences and observations, I'm gonna go with...yes. We gay men get away with that shit. A lot! Should we? Well, no, cuz if they're uncomfortable, or if people around are uncomfortable, then it's harassment. Have I gone up to female friends and gone in for the proverbial motor boating to get a laugh? Yes. Would I do that now? Not unless invited to. Hey, I'm a gay dude who loves tits, what can I say?

So how come no charges were ever levied against Barrowman back then? Some people complained, and steps were taken. But no charges pressed. Donald Padgett at OUT Magazine reported that "Julie Gardner, the producer of Doctor Who, confirmed she had received complaints about Barrowman’s behavior, had added she had 'reprimanded him' and made 'clear to both John and his agent that behavior of this kind would not be tolerated.'" Barrowman offered his apology at the time, and again more recently in light of the resurfaced video, saying his "behavior and understanding" have both changed.

Was the lack of charges because he's gay? This is Clarke's contention. We don't know the severity of the charges against Clarke right now, but it's curious that a straight Black man seems to be having the book thrown at him while a gay White man's behavior was essentially laughed off. Maybe it's all in the timing? Pre vs post #metoo. Of course when you get right down to it it's all harassment. The timing along the Weinstein/Allen/Sacey timeline shouldn't matter.

But hey, what do I know? Except to say that I'd totally allow Barrowman to wag his schlong my way! And if his costar David-Lloyd was there as well? All the better. But hey, I'm a pig.

I raised more questions cuz I wasn't intending on giving answers. Just my dumb opinions. So what are your thoughts about all this?