A kiss between entertainer John Barrowman and another man during the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games received backing on social media.
In what was seen as a clear message to the 42 countries of the Commonwealth where it is still a crime to be gay, Glasgow-born Barrowman reached out to kiss the man before holding his hand during a sequence to celebrate Gretna Green, the village on the Scottish/English border that is celebrated as a destination for eloping couples.
Graham Love tweeted: ‘Nice touch with this kiss there by John Barrowman. Taking aim at 42 of the 53 competing nations that criminalise homosexuality.’
One Twitter user said: ‘Awesome Gay Kiss’, while another said ‘gay kiss yes john barrowman’.
Craig Drummond tweeted: ‘It makes me strangely proud to be Scottish that to John Barrowman can kiss a man on live tv.’
Another wrote: ‘I just want john barrowman to kiss more dudes.’
But there was expected to be criticism too – the Commonwealth Games, like the Olympics, is not meant to be used for political purposes.
There were also some social media brick bats, too, for the ceremony itself with one user called Bob declaring: ‘Scots Commonwealth Games = worst opening ceremony in history’.
‘Commonwealth games opening ceremony feels a tad Eurovision’, tweeted one, while another observer said:’ Just turned on the commonwealth games opening ceremony, and there was some old people dancing round some chairs, embarrassing.’
Barrowman, who is himself gay, played a key role in the ceremony’s opening minutes, singing from the top of an open top vehicle.
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