JAMES MAY HITS BACK AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA BACKLASH TO 'OPPRESSIVE' PRIDE FLAGS POST

James May has hit back after his social media post about Pride flags – during Pride month- unsurprisingly didn’t land well with the LGBTQ+ community.

The former Top Gear and The Grand Tour host caused offence when he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday alongside a photo of Pride flags in central London: “Pride: while I have observed and admitted what you have achieved over my lifetime, may I respectfully suggest that you are borderline guilty of Too Much Bunting (TMB).”

He continued: “It may be seen as authoritarian, and therefore oppressive. Please remember that some terrible things, with which you would not wish to be allied, began with TMB. World War Two, for example. Nice flag, though.”

Within hours the post went viral and has now racked up 2.7 million views with thousands of fans commenting underneath. One fumed: “Big fan of you, so hopefully I’m reading this wrong. Are you comparing our Pride flag to the Nazi flag, purely based on how prevalent is it? James, this is what the street looks like in real life when you aren’t purposefully focusing on the flags. How is it ‘authoritarian’?”

Another wrote: “Respectfully, comparing the LGBT community to Nazis is very offensive. Very disappointed, James.” A third chimed in: “I don’t think it’s the LGBTQ community who are doing this. Saying ‘you’ implies that the LGBTQ community are the ones putting up all of the flags, however large corporations and councils are utilising Pride and the Pride flag as a way to gain traction and monopolise on Pride.”

A fourth commented: “I hope you are not insinuating that somehow LGBTQ+ community is somehow in danger of starting WW3 because of some rainbow flags James?” While a fifth added: “Are you seriously comparing LGBT people with Nazis?” James replied to most of the comments personally and to the latter responded: “No. Relax.”

But 24 hours later the 61-year-old TV host felt the need to post an update to his 3.2 million followers clarifying what he meant. He explained: “I’ve had an illuminating 24 hours reading the responses to my ‘bunting’ post.

“Now hear this. 1) I’m not suggesting that the Pride movement has anything in common with the Nazis. 2) My post is not intended for us as a community launch pad for sorties into lazy homophobia. 3) Yes, plenty of other events (royal ones, for example) also transgress the TMB ruling. 4) People should read through their posts before submission. This won’t work as a platform for ‘citizen journalism’ if half of it is incomprehensible b******s.: That is all. Carry on. Peace ‘n’ love, everyone.”

And it’s not the first time James – along with his The Grand Tour co-stars Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond – has been accused of homophobia. Back in 2019, singer Will Young called the trio out for an episode in which they described a Wrangler Jeep as being a ‘gay man’s car’.

Branding the presenters “pathetic”, Will was outraged when James looked at the Jeep Jeremy was about to drive across Columbia and asked: “Isn’t that a very popular car with the gay community?”

Afterwards he and Richard also quipped that Jeremy might need a new grooming routine and outfit to go with the vehicle. “Maybe some nice chaps,” Hammond suggested. “Suede but ventilated at the back.”

Blasting the presenters on Twitter at the time, Will wrote: “Hammond and May’s ‘quips’ to Clarkson: wearing chaps, a pink shirt, he should get some moisturiser. It’s f***ing pathetic and actually homophobic. And screw them and the show and Amazon... for putting this shaming archaic tripe out. It’s insulting. It’s sad and shaming, bigoted and for f***’s sake grow up. How dare they stereotype?”

Will, who once appeared on Top Gear and came out as gay in 2002, added: “I DON’T drive a Wrangler Jeep. I DON’T wear pink shirts . I DON’T wear arse-less chaps. You can be honest and funny without this ridiculous ‘lad’ ooh being gay and let’s laugh about it mentality. It’s repulsive.”

Richard denied the claims and said: “We’re not remotely homophobic.” James added: “I’m not aware that we made any crass, homophobic jokes or comments. I hope we didn’t. I hope we’re always careful about the jokes we make because we’re not actually trying to alienate people or offend people. We make fun of people, but that’s not quite the same thing, and we try to be inclusive in that everybody is equally open for mockery and division, mainly ourselves.” The Mirror has approached James’ reps for further comment on this story.

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2024-06-14T15:23:51Z dg43tfdfdgfd