DT 26312 Revisited

Introduction

Today, I realized that not only had I posted my review of yesterday's puzzle without reading the review of the puzzle at Big Dave's Crossword Blog, but I had neglected to include a comment on one of the clues that I had intended to discuss. Having now read Gazza's review, I discover that this clue is obviously even more interesting than I had first realized - and certainly much too intriguing to just let slide by. While I clearly haven't been able to get to the bottom of the story, I have perhaps managed to piece a bit of it together.

Four Stars for The Gay Gordons

6d Dance of two in civil partnership sharing the same name? (3,3,7)

What is the story behind this clue - one that Gazza introduces as "a glorious clue ... which is worthy of 4* for enjoyment in its own right" and further describes by saying "it’s laugh out loud time. This is a double definition with the second being cryptic (and very funny). The first (straight) definition is a traditional Scottish dance." (Gazza's use of the word "straight" is quite obviously a double entendre - a fact that Anax emphasises). Others described this clue as "clue of the day (or week)", "a runaway winner", "just brilliant", 'absolutely wonderful and has to be one of the best clues ever', "a cracker". "clue of the day and for sure month", "way, way ahead of everything else", "must surely be Clue of the Year", "an excellent clue". "the best fun we have had for a £1 in a long time. Still laughing about [it]", "My favourite clue ever I think", "definitely favourite clue", "definitely the best clue (not sure about the political correctness!)", "[it] was laugh out loud and tell your friends. Have to gently disagree with Pommers; forget political correctness and just enjoy the brilliance of the wordplay".

I had done some research yesterday, but the review on Big Dave's site revealed that I had but scratched the surface. But let's start with what I had already determined.

The Gay Gordons is a nickname of the Gordon Highlanders, a former infantry regiment of the British army.

The Gay Gordons is a traditional Scottish dance, popular at céilidhs and other kinds of informal and social dance. It is an "old-time" dance, of a type popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in which every couple dances the same steps, usually in a circle around the room. The name alludes to the aforementioned Scottish regiment, the Gordon Highlanders.

The Gay Gordons is the name of Scottish country dance clubs found in several cities in the U.K. which cater to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community. However, this may be nothing but a red herring.

Clearly the above does not explain the clue (and, especially, the overwhelming and unprecedented reaction to it). I needed to dig deeper. The clue seems to suggest that two persons sharing the same name may be in a civil partnership (could this be a civil union?) - the gay Gordons. But who are they?

Clearly the personalities to which the clue alludes are extremely well known in the U.K. All the Brits seem to know immediately who the targets are and require no explanation of the individuals in question or the circumstances. The discussion is almost of the nudge, nudge, wink, wink variety - one could almost get the idea that they go out of their way to avoid mentioning names.

One of the principals might be former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. I discovered that the issue of civil unions for gay couples seems to have been an issue in the last British general election (at least the question of France not recognizing British civil unions of gay couples). It would appear that Gordon Brown came out in support of the gay position - but perhaps only after the issue had already been resolved by the European Parliament.

Furthermore, it is not difficult to find sources claiming that Gordon Brown is gay (try typing 'Gordon Brown gay' in Google). It seems such rumours ran rampant in Britain (especially prior to his marriage in 2000). They were so prevalent that they are mentioned on mainstream sites such as the BBC and The Daily Telegraph. However, the most outrageous ones are fringe sources, such as comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in the persona of his gay fashionista alter ego, Bruno. Another site, the British Democracy Forum, discusses rumours that not only is Gordon Brown gay, but so is his wife, and that he was involved in homosexual liaisons with other well-known British politicians. While these stories lack credibility, they do indicate that there was a prevailing climate of innuendo in Britain that may partially explain the reaction generated by this clue.

As for the second person (the one sharing the same name) referred to in the clue, I doubt that it is Gordon Brown's wife. Not only does she not share the name Gordon with him (she presumably shares the name Brown), I don't think their relationship satisfies the "civil partnership" referred to in the clue. I suspect that the second individual is another British personality with the name Gordon. But who it is, I have nary a clue.

All that being said, I just may find that I've wandered down a blind alley.


Signing off for today - Falcon