When you’re the chief executive of an enormous oil concern, your duties include finding new energy sources, navigating international environmental regulations, and delivering hefty profits for shareholders. But Lord John Browne, who headed BP (née British Petroleum) until 2007, had another line item on his job description: hide his sexuality. And it all came crumbling down when he lost a court case he hoped would prevent newspaper from publishing his same-sex private life, and expose him as a perjurer.
Browne, who resigned ahead of his planned departure from BP amidst the scandal, tells the BBC in a new interview the scandal “also told me who my friends were.”
Browne realized he was gay in the 1960s, when it was illegal, and knows for certain that being open about it would’ve prevented his rise in the business world. “The fear that was engendered in people’s hearts about being gay, in corporate life it was something you don’t talk about, and in the oil industry it was most definitely not something you did. … I buried it until my antenna felt … that someone, somewhere, had discovered something.”
So how does such a high-profile business leader keep his secret so quiet? “Ninety-nine percent was avoidable. You became very good at avoidance.”
Listen to the full interview here.
Wade macMorrighan
Hey, I used to have several thousand in stock with this co. before my Great Aunt passed. It was she and my uncle to got it for me when I was born. Unfortunately, I sold it before gay prices went all crazy! Man, I coulda’ had $30,000 EASY and bought a home!!!!!!!!!!
Bob Lablah
@Wade macMorrighan: Please share with the rest of us where you could have bought a home for $30k.
As for Mr. Browne I am sure he was well aware that the corporate world, country, race or sexual orientation be damned, is a shark infested ocean that is not for everyone. I was at AT&T for twelve years and left when it became obvious why I was never going to go beyond “entry level” management regardless of how outstanding my job performances were. I also saw first hand what happens when the wrong “queen without a clue” is granted her realm and you (me) were unfortunately “incarcerated” in it.
Thank god for downsizing and buyout plans that do exist in the corporate. I know drive a tractor-trailer and couldn’t be happier.
sal(the original)
@Bob Lablah: u go boy.Shame a company will lose a good mind over stupid shit
AlwaysGay
Before Lord Browne came out (I didn’t know his sexuality) I would do an impression of him. I definitely can relate to his avoidance of social situations dealing with sexuality (which is a lot) when I was younger.
benlayvey
I listened to the interview on the World Service when it ran this morning and it was insightful. I must say I hope to do what he couldn’t–be open about my sexuality and forge a formidable executive career in the corporate world after business school. And yes I am as bloodthirsty as one must be to be in that world. Every agency/department will jump to follow my order or asses will sting. There are no shortages of meat-hooks on which to hang enemies of the company–metaphorically speaking of course. lol! Behemoth bonuses here I come eh?
alan brickman
he cheated on the taxes to pay his boytoy…not because he was gay….not that victim really…
McShane
Now that corporations run the U.S. Government , we can be pretty sure that politicians won’t even be gay. Since that will shut down democracy, as it always has historically, we won’t have to worry about popular opinion. It ‘s scary to think if they make dips like palin puppets. It doesn’t matter how stupid the front people are, since the boards of directors will call the shots.
james_from_the_great_city_of_cambridge
@Bob Lablah: “Please share with the rest of us where you could have bought a home for $30k.”
Detroit. Some homes there are going for 10K or less…
alan brickman
He was outed by cheating on his taxes and had to resign..not because he was gay….
tarxien
I think some of you are getting Lord Brown mixed up with David Laws who recently resigned from the government after being caught cheating on his expenses claim.
As far as I know,Lord Brown was not cheating.He was outed by his ex-partner who he had met on an escort site.It seems this young man was only interested in Brown’s money and prestige. And when Brown refused him yet another huge handout he went to the gutter press.
Brown then lied about how they had met because he was ashamed of using the escort site. This lie was what brought about his resignation.
ComeOUT
Disgusting, like so many other wealthy, powerful, closet cases that come out only when they´re forced to.