TL;DR
- Amanda Barrie feared backlash when coming out as bisexual.
- She felt dishonest before revealing her truth.
- The reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
- Barrie reflects on changing societal attitudes.
- She married crime novelist Hilary Bonner.
In a world where coming out can still feel like a high-stakes gamble, Amanda Barrie, the beloved bisexual actress known for her roles in Coronation Street and the Carry On films, opened up about her fears during a recent interview on Good Morning Britain. The 90-year-old icon candidly shared her worries that revealing her sexuality would lead to career destruction, a sentiment that resonates with many in the LGBTQ+ community even today.
Reflecting on her journey, Barrie recounted her decision to come out in her 2002 memoir, It’s Not A Rehearsal, at the age of 67. “Oh, no, I don’t think it would have been all right. Not for a minute. Not then… A lot has happened in the last 25 years, and you forget you’re living in a completely different time warp,” she said, highlighting how societal attitudes have shifted over the decades.
When asked about the potential fallout from her revelation, Barrie humorously recalled, “I thought that day when I came to you and Judy, I thought I should be stoned in the street. People will actually refuse to put me in a taxi.” But to her surprise, the reaction was nothing short of warm. “Absolutely nothing! In fact, I got more of a hug than a stone thrown at me,” she laughed, a testament to the changing tides of acceptance.
Barrie’s story is not just about her personal journey but reflects broader societal changes. “You couldn’t do the ‘Carry On’ films now. I mean, you couldn’t do them. They wouldn’t be acceptable,” she remarked, acknowledging how the landscape of entertainment has evolved alongside cultural norms.
Her relationship history adds another layer to her narrative. Barrie was once linked to singer Billy Fury in the mid-1960s and later married actor and director Robin Hunter, whom she separated from in the 80s. After coming out, she found love with crime novelist Hilary Bonner, marrying in 2014. Their enduring partnership is a beacon of love and resilience in a world that can often be unkind to those who dare to be different.
As Barrie reflects on her past, she serves as a reminder that while the journey to acceptance can be fraught with fears, the outcome can be filled with love and support. Her story is a celebration of authenticity, courage, and the power of living one’s truth in a world that is slowly but surely learning to embrace diversity.