Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles (born in Leeds, 1974) is a radio and television presenter.
Homophobia
In May 2006 Moyles was accused of homophobia, when he rejected a ringtone by saying "I don't want that one, it's gay", live on air. This led to a number of complaints to the BBC,[1] arguing that the use of the word gay in this context was homophobic. The BBC governors said that Moyles was simply keeping up with developments in English usage.[2]
The Programme Complaints Committee said that, "The word 'gay', in addition to being used to mean 'homosexual' or 'carefree', was often now used to mean 'lame' or 'rubbish'.[2] In describing a ringtone as gay, the DJ was conveying that he thought it was 'rubbish' rather than 'homosexual'. Moyles was not being homophobic."[1] The panel acknowledged, however, that this use of the word 'gay' in a derogatory sense could cause offence to some listeners and counselled caution on its use.[3]
Subsequently in June, Stonewall marched with placards during Europride in London demanding the dismissal of Moyles. According to Stonewall, "Chris Moyles is not helping young LGBT people struggling to come out through his comments."[4] Stonewall gave Moyles the award of "Stonewall Bully of the Year" at the 2006 Stonewall Awards.[5][6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-389318/BBC-accepts-new-meaning-gay.html "BBC accepts new meaning of 'gay'". Daily Mail 6 June 2006
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://news.sky.com/story/433901/bbc-slammed-over-gay-comments "BBC Slammed Over 'Gay' Comments" Sky News, 6 June 2006
- ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/jun/06/bbc.gayrights John Plunkett, "BBC accused of homophobia over Moyles' remark", The Guardian, 6 June 2006
- ↑ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2006/07/04/stonewall-spells-out-opposition-to-homophobic-bullying/ Marc Shoffman, "Stonewall spells out opposition to homophobic bullying" Pink News, 4 July 2006.
- ↑ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-2905.html/ Marc Shoffman,"BBC backs gay Bully of the Year" Pink News, 3 November 2006
- ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/nov/03/mailonsunday.pressandpublishing Stephen Brook, press correspondent, "Mail on Sunday writer wins gay journalism award", The Guardian,3 November 2006.
