Sarah Harte: Tommy Fleming's difficulties show the tragic impact of homophobia

The singer's difficulties are a reminder many people in their 40s and older have never been able to overcome the intolerance we all grew up with

Wed, 20 May, 2026 - 01:00

Sarah Harte

Sarah Harte is a lawyer, a published, prize-winning fiction writer and works as a strategist for a domestic violence organisation.

It’s sad to think of all those LGBTQ+ people in my generation and older who hid themselves in heterosexual marriages and bent themselves into a shape that society would accept. At what cost to them and to their families?

Last week, the singer Tommy Fleming announced he had been "living a lie" for years and publicly came out as gay. This must be incredibly hard on his wife and stepdaughter, who have asked for privacy at a difficult, hurtful time.