Britain has grown up about gays, says Maxwell Davies

Published on Monday 4 May 2009 21:57

THE Queen's Master of Music says the appointment of Carol Ann Duffy as Poet Laureate has shown how far Britain has come its attitude towards gay people.

Orkney-based Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, who like Glasgow-born Duffy is openly gay, said Britain had "grown up enormously" over people's sexual orientation.

"Not so long ago it would have been difficult for two gay people to hold such official positions at the centre of the artistic life of the nation – at least openly," said Sir Peter.

"It just shows how far Britain has grown up enormously over the issue of sexual orientation, particularly over the last decade or so – and I naturally think that is a very positive thing.

"In the arts – as in all other professions – it is people's work that counts, not if they are straight or gay. There was a time when that was not always true, but we have come a long way, thank goodness."

Sir Peter described Duffy as "a fantastic poet". He performed on the same bill as her once in 2007 at the award-winning John Lennon Northern Lights Festival in Durness in Sutherland.

"I think Carol Ann is not just the right choice for the job – but a tremendous choice. She is a fantastic poet who can touch people's hearts and minds in just a few words," said Sir Peter, who enjoyed a close working relationship with the previous Laureate, Andrew Motion.

"I would really welcome working together with her in our official roles – she is a brilliant talent who can make a huge contribution to the artistic life of our nation. I think she is going to do a lot to spread the popularity of poetry."

Duffy missed out to Andrew Motion when he was appointed Laureate in 1999. She was said to have been left deeply bruised and declared herself "out of the picture" for any future contest.