Are You Being Served (Shade)?

Note: This free article is a part of my ongoing series of content in celebration of Pride Month. Pride Month is celebrated each year during the month of June in honor of those who fought for LGBTQ+ rights beginning with the Stonewall Riots in 1969.

Synopsis - Are You Being Served? 

In this British sitcom that aired from 1972 to 1985, employees of Grace Brother's Department Store work along side one another each day. 

Commentary 

While Are You Being Served?  featured an ensemble cast, this article will focus on the character of Mr. Humpries, as played by late actor John Inman (1935-2007). I first discovered Are You Being Serviced in the early 90's when it aired late Saturday nights on PBS. I think I fell in love with the show from the first episode I saw. Of course, everyone loves Mrs. Slocombe, but Mr. Humphries really stood out to me as a gay man. 

Mr. Humphries was the senior sales associate in the men's department at Grace Brothers. While he exhibited stereotypically gay behavior and mannerism, including a limp-wristed walk and a high pitched voice,  it was never explicitly stated that Mr. Humphries was gay. Due to sexual and social mores at the time, it could not have been stated that he was gay so Mr. Humphries was often portrayed as a Mama's Boy. In fact, he still lived with his mother even at the age of roughly 37 years old. It should be noted that John Inman, the actor who played Mr. Humphries, was actually gay in real life. 

Mr. Humphries was the absolute queen of one liners, double entendres, and clever comebacks. He was also known for showing up to work wearing outrageous outfits such as a sailor's outfit or scuba gear which necessitates him having to explain his previous nights activities with the usual excuse that he showed up for work dressed inappropriately because he didn't want to be late. While consciously or subconsciously this may have been his way of trying to  come out to his co-workers. 

What I like about Mr. Humphries is that he really was a part of the Grace Brother's family and that he wasn't treated any differently because of his suspected sexuality. Also, I liked that although he didn't live his life completely openly, he lived freely and with good cheer- and that's something that I wanted in my own life. 

- Carolina Dean