New law could make gay jokes illegal (UK)

AckwelFoley · 26-04-2008 3:49pm #1

The right to crack jokes or be rude about homosexuals could fall victim to new government laws to stamp out "homophobic" behaviour, Rowan Atkinson, the Blackadder star warned yesterday

Atkinson, who mounted a successful campaign in 2004 to water down legislation aimed at criminalising expressions of religious hatred, has returned to the fray to defend the art of gay leg-pulling.

His concern is that Labour ministers are so obsessed with creating laws to stop people being rude about each other that they are putting in danger the right to free speech and, equally dear to his heart, the comedian's craft.

In a letter to a newspaper he accused ministers of filling their legislative programme with measures that have "serious implications for freedom of speech, humour and creative expression".

Atkinson was referring to measures in the Criminal Justice Bill, currently passing through Parliament, which could mean people who stir up hatred against homosexuals being put in prison for up to seven years

Source: The Telegraph

Hmm, i know it doesnt concern us here in the free state, but what next? We wont be able to make jokes about blacks and muslims?

The_Minister · 26-04-2008 3:54pm

That is sooooo gay.

Sherifu · 26-04-2008 3:55pm

Arse bandits.

Thrill · 26-04-2008 3:55pm

The hole business sounds a bit queer to me.

Doctor DooM · 26-04-2008 3:57pm

Christ. Have they nothing better to do.

Is a gay person allowed to make gay jokes in the proposed legislation I wonder?

Creamy Goodness · 26-04-2008 4:05pm

You have to be a *** to say ***.

"hey there, ****ty, ****ty *** ***, ****ty, ****ty *** ***, how do you do?
hey there, ****ty, ****ty *** ***, ****ty, ****ty *** ***, how do you do?"