Is it acceptable to wear BDSM attire in public?

GarIT

After a recent discussion on the LGBT forum which resulted in me being banned I was told it was discrimination to tell a man that it is wrong for them to walk around Dublin wearing nothing but a leather g-string or other BDSM attire.

The claim which I disagree with is that somebody can wear any attire in public they wish and to say they shouldn't be allowed is discrimination.

Personally I believe that there are some things that are just not acceptable to wear in public, and to me chains and leather which barely covers your genitals is included in that.

The mod has requested that if the matter is to be discussed in this forum. I know the post is a bit weird but a mod said to post it here so if there are any problems you can talk to them about it I suppose.

Hamhide

While I wouldn't agree that walking around in nothing but a g-string be it a guy or a girl isn't really acceptable I would agree that wearing light bdsm attire in general should be acceptable. I'm not talking about assless chaps or anything but a leather dress, high boots and even a collar in my opinion can't hurt anyone. I think it's important to express your sexuality, although keeping your modesty is also important. Some doms and masters would like to see their subs wearing collars some days and I think that's fine.

Hotale.com

Legally acceptable? yes, I'd imagine so.

Socially acceptable? not a chance.

GarIT

Hamhide wrote: »

While I wouldn't agree that walking around in nothing but a g-string be it a guy or a girl isn't really acceptable I would agree that wearing light bdsm attire in general should be acceptable. I'm not talking about assless chaps or anything but a leather dress, high boots and even a collar in my opinion can't hurt anyone. I think it's important to express your sexuality, although keeping your modesty is also important. Some doms and masters would like to see their subs wearing collars some days and I think that's fine.

I agree there, I've no problem with leather clothing or anything like that, it was more people that are almost naked that the discussion was focused on.

GarIT

Hotale.com wrote: »

Legally acceptable? yes, I'd imagine so.

The only laws in Ireland is that it is illegal to be naked with the intent to cause offence.

J_E

GarIT wrote: »

The only laws in Ireland is that it is illegal to be naked with the intent to cause offence.

Are you referring to this?

You forgot to mention in your original post that this was about the day of Dublin Pride in particular. Nobody is walking around like that on an everyday basis. All festivals have exhibitionists and those who are more on the fringe. This is a bit of a whatabout-ery and I think you're being offended here for the wrong reasons.

GarIT

Cydoniac wrote: »

Are you referring to this?

That's exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about.

J_E

GarIT wrote: »

That's exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about.

Have you ever seen someone outside wearing this yourself? In Dublin or otherwise? I'm only asking because you chose a very select few pictures of a select few people on one day of the year in Ireland. It's not a very strong basis for a general question. "Is it acceptable to wear BDSM attire in public?" is a fairly straightforward question. Socially, of course not. Nothing outside of 'the norm' is accepted by people en masse. Elements of it? Why not. People have the freedom to express themselves. If anything, I would show respect to them for being brave about their expressions, not actually harming anyone else, and not being so worried as to what is 'acceptable' or not.

the term "Is it acceptable" conjures up images of finger wagging and shame, which I would personally like less of in this world.

porsche959

GarIT wrote: »

After a recent discussion on the LGBT forum which resulted in me being banned I was told it was discrimination to tell a man that it is wrong for them to walk around Dublin wearing nothing but a leather g-string or other BDSM attire.

The claim which I disagree with is that somebody can wear any attire in public they wish and to say they shouldn't be allowed is discrimination.

Personally I believe that there are some things that are just not acceptable to wear in public, and to me chains and leather which barely covers your genitals is included in that.

The mod has requested that if the matter is to be discussed in this forum. I know the post is a bit weird but a mod said to post it here so if there are any problems you can talk to them about it I suppose.

Maybe more to your taste?

http://www.suitandtiesociety.co.uk/

GarIT

Cydoniac wrote: »

Have you ever seen someone outside wearing this yourself?

Not personally, I've seen it on facebook and young family members have had to witness it in public.

GarIT

porsche959 wrote: »

Maybe more to your taste?

http://www.suitandtiesociety.co.uk/

In what way? I dont particularly care what people wear as long as there not almost naked.

J_E

GarIT wrote: »

Not personally

Ah...so I thought.

GarIT wrote: »

young family members have had to witness it in public.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh2sWSVRrmo

GarIT wrote: »

I dont particularly care what people wear

Oh, but you clearly do, otherwise why would this thread exist?

GarIT

Cydoniac wrote: »

Oh, but you clearly do, otherwise why would this thread exist?

As I said, as long as they are not almost naked.

J_E

GarIT wrote: »

As I said, as long as they are not almost naked.

Children are going to see a lot worse than the aforementioned picture above, and not from a gay man/woman, that's for sure. This is a lot of false outrage over what is essentially nothing.

Would you also require women to wear ankle length skirts and turtlenecks? Surely a bikini is entirely inappropriate attire. How about swimming trunks? Wrestlers??

Somehow I'm not even sure you are familiar with the real world of BDSM culture at all, even? (no, the mask and furry handcuffs from the costume shop doesn't count)

GarIT wrote: »

The whole thing, there is always somebody that ruins it and nobody tries to stop it. Every year there are grown men walking around Dublin in pink tights a tutu and fairy wings, there does be half naked people too and one year I saw pictures of people trying to have sex in the middle of the parade.

I mean, this says it all really. Why pursue a debate when someone has that kind of attitude?

GarIT

Cydoniac wrote: »

Children are going to see a lot worse than the aforementioned picture above, and not from a gay man/woman, that's for sure. This is a lot of false outrage over what is essentially nothing.

Would you also require women to wear ankle length skirts and turtlenecks? Surely a bikini is entirely inappropriate attire. How about swimming trunks? Wrestlers??

Somehow I'm not even sure you are familiar with the real world of BDSM culture at all, even? (no, the mask and furry handcuffs from the costume shop doesn't count)



I mean, this says it all really. Why pursue a debate when someone has that kind of attitude?

I never said it had anything to do with the sexuality of the person, just what they think it is ok to wear through city centre.

At mid day in city centre yes everything you mentioned is inappropriate.

What kind of attitude are you talking about?

Black Swan

Is it acceptable to wear BDSM attire in public?

Beyond laws, there are social norms in every community that suggest what manner of dress was deemed appropriate. If I were to walk down Grafton Street early Saturday afternoon in a tiny bikini, most shoppers would feel that my dress was inappropriate, and probably act towards me accordingly. They might think the same of BDSM wear that was just as revealing.

In like manner, if I was to show up in either of these outfits at a top Dublin based corporation boardroom attempting to sell expensive software to them, I doubt they would take me seriously.

Then again, if I showed up summertime at Bundoran Beach in bikini with surf board, I would fit right in, but not if wearing BDSM. And if I sunbathed on the beach at Vieille Saint Girons in France in bikini or BDSM the nudes there may find my attire most inappropriate. This comparative list could go on and on...

Personally, I find sexuality revealed with subtlety and grace more appealing. An outfit that shows some leg, or exposed shoulder, or open back, and the like. Then again, my black leathers show no skin but are revealing in that they conform to the curves of my body.

Are such norms discriminatory? Often they are. If you overtly challenge them, there may be consequences that you may not like. It's your call.

Hamhide

Black Swan wrote: »

Is it acceptable to wear BDSM attire in public?

Beyond laws, there are social norms in every community that suggest what manner of dress was deemed appropriate. If I were to walk down Grafton Street early Saturday afternoon in a tiny bikini, most shoppers would feel that my dress was inappropriate, and probably act towards me accordingly. They might think the same of BDSM wear that was just as revealing.

In like manner, if I was to show up in either of these outfits at a top Dublin based corporation boardroom attempting to sell expensive software to them, I doubt they would take me seriously.

Then again, if I showed up summertime at Bundoran Beach in bikini with surf board, I would fit right in, but not if wearing BDSM. And if I sunbathed on the beach at Vieille Saint Girons in France in bikini or BDSM the nudes there may find my attire most inappropriate. This comparative list could go on and on...

Personally, I find sexuality revealed with subtlety and grace more appealing. An outfit that shows some leg, or exposed shoulder, or open back, and the like. Then again, my black leathers show no skin but are revealing in that they conform to the curves of my body.

Are such norms discriminatory? Often they are. If you overtly challenge them, there may be consequences that you may not like. It's your call.

I deffo agree with this.

If I showed up to a bdsm meeting in a bikini I would get thrown out.
Walking around in practically nothing regaurdless of what it is and if it has anything to do with your sexuality is only acceptable in very few situations if any. If bdsm is your lifestyle when I know for fact that silly masks and furry cuffs aren't what your going to be wearing outside. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there a bdsm march at pride most years? I know some parents won't want their kids seeing half naked people on leashes and whips grinding against each other, nevermind that is again putting a negative stereotype on the LGBT community. Pride is about shedding that stereotype and saying ''we are normal people and not perverts!'' and then some guys march behind them in sex gear, its quite counter productive. Is bdsm attire acceptable in public?
It all depends on you really. You might feel uncomfortable standing in tesco's behind a person wearing just a leather thong but what if they were just wearing a collar, or a corset or something like that? You might even be curious yourself. Its definitely a touchy subject but its worth discussing.

28064212

What does "acceptable" mean? What happens if somebody wears something that is not acceptable?

J_E

Hamhide wrote: »

I Pride is about shedding that stereotype and saying ''we are normal people and not perverts!'' and then some guys march behind them in sex gear, its quite counter productive. Is bdsm attire acceptable in public?

Isn't that quite counter-indicative of the word 'Pride' if you're ashamed to express what you feel is an important aspect of your being? Nobody that I have seen, on pictures or in person, has gone all out in a fetish context like that in Ireland. You might see that at Folsom sure. Children aren't going to draw the same conclusion as adults in terms of suggestive materials. When children see leather they think of medieval fantasy, not sex. It's a bit of a moot appropriation. Nobody I've ever seen at pride is extreme in their clothes choices, with the police presence do you genuinely think something illegal would be allowed? A guy in underwear is no worse than a woman in a bikini. The context/sexuality combined seems to jar some people. I'd like to think Ireland is a little past the clutching beads, 'think of the children!' shaming mentality.

When you see someone being walked around on a leash and harness down the road maybe then this discussion can be had in a more serious context, but right now the main poster is being offended at something they haven't ever personally seen, is a complete rarity in the whole of Ireland, and I find that to be a little false. Being apparently offended at a man walking in a tutu is just a very telling sign.

Renegade Mechanic

Discrimination!? Thats p*ssed me off a little. Its not about "discrimination" FFS.. Its about maintaining a little bloody decency in public, be you gay, straight, bi, white, black or f*cking Zoidberg.:mad:

Of course its unacceptable.

Costumes are different from everyday attire, and from what I gather the OP is objecting to costumes worn during a parade, on a single day of the year.

If thats the case, then I see those costumes as no more inappropriate than the costumes worn in Brazil or New Orleans on Mardi Gras.

http://blog.privateislandparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/japan-mardi-gras-wp.jpg

No one is walking around Tesco on a Sunday morning in a leather thong and a feather. If they were, habitually, we could discuss the sensibilities of onlookers ambushed where they least expect it, but since a Parade costume on the day of a Parade is in it's natural habitat, I can't see for the life of me what the problem is.

I think the main problem here is that the viewer feels uncomfortable with visible difference, in which case they should address the cause of their discomfort.

TheGlass

There's a time and a place for everything, I don't think there's a need for people to be dressed overly sexually in the middle of the day in public. Just because you can doesn't mean you should

Morag

GarIT wrote: »

That's exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about.

I would not find that objectionable.

There are types of fetiswear which is far more modest which I would have am issue with, that picture is a costume, it's not as if anyone goes to the parade in a full gimp suit.

so what if members of the queer community want to wear costumes, or wear a collar, the whole respectability politics which is happening in LGBT 'community' in Ireland is pretty abhorrent.

GarIT

28064212 wrote: »

What does "acceptable" mean? What happens if somebody wears something that is not acceptable?

People get offended I suppose, feel sick having to see such things or similar feelings.

GarIT

Cydoniac wrote: »

When you see someone being walked around on a leash and harness down the road maybe then this discussion can be had in a more serious context, but right now the main poster is being offended at something they haven't ever personally seen, is a complete rarity in the whole of Ireland, and I find that to be a little false. Being apparently offended at a man walking in a tutu is just a very telling sign.

That sort of thing is happening, there have been people walked through Dublin on a leash, thousands of people attend the events, and a tiny minority possibly maybe 10 people a year I don't know how few there are, but these people are getting away with what they do because of the day that it is, two years ago I was shown pictures of two men having sex in the middle of the road in the middle of the parade. Overly excessive PDAs happen throughout the day, nobody wants to see that.

Stop making up things and claiming I said them. I never said I was offended by anything other than people being almost naked. What I did say was that if a man dresses up as a fairy and his only reason for doing so is that he is gay I think it's much more likely that he is looking for attention and to cause trouble than to express himself, gay people are normal people they don't need to make themselves a target. Any reasonable adult knows that you don't give someone ammo to use against you if you don't want them to use it.

GarIT

Morag wrote: »

I would not find that objectionable.

There are types of fetiswear which is far more modest which I would have am issue with, that picture is a costume, it's not as if anyone goes to the parade in a full gimp suit.

so what if members of the queer community want to wear costumes, or wear a collar, the whole respectability politics which is happening in LGBT 'community' in Ireland is pretty abhorrent.

The problem is they are doing it in the middle of the day at a public event. The fact of the matter is that there will be kids there, maybe their shouldn't be and maybe that should be addressed but as it stands there will be and I don't know about other people but I would not be happy with my children seeing the guy that managed to get into nearly every picture on google images who spent pride day wearing nothing but boxer shorts that only have a front to them. That man really should have been arrested for public nudity but the Gardaí refuse to act because of the day that it is.

J_E

GarIT wrote: »

That sort of thing is happening, there have been people walked through Dublin on a leash, thousands of people attend the events, and a tiny minority possibly maybe 10 people a year I don't know how few there are, but these people are getting away with what they do because of the day that it is, two years ago I was shown pictures of two men having sex in the middle of the road in the middle of the parade.

You are the one who claims you haven't seen these people. I have never seen such a thing. People having sex in the middle of the road, I mean honestly! It would have been swiftly dealt with if it happened and nobody condones that, but to paint that as what LGBT stands for is ludicrous. (I still don't believe this, by the way)

Overly excessive PDAs happen throughout the day, nobody wants to see that.

Oh come off of that... talking about being adults and then saying that!

gay people are normal people they don't need to make themselves a target.

That outlook makes me burn with rage but I don't think I could explain to you why...don't think you'd quite understand. Let me put it this way - it's along the same lines as saying a woman is asking for it by dressing a certain way.

28064212

GarIT wrote: »

People get offended I suppose, feel sick having to see such things or similar feelings.

And? Offence is in the mind of the offended person. People get offended constantly, day-in, day-out, by incredibly trivial things. People being offended doesn't actually mean anything.

GarIT

Cydoniac wrote: »

You are the one who claims you haven't seen these people. I have never seen such a thing. People having sex in the middle of the road, I mean honestly! It would have been swiftly dealt with if it happened and nobody condones that, but to paint that as what LGBT stands for is ludicrous.


Oh come off of that... talking about being adults and then saying that!


That outlook makes me burn with rage but I don't think I could explain to you why...don't think you'd quite understand. Let me put it this way - it's along the same lines as saying a woman is asking for it by dressing a certain way.

I have not said I have not seen them, I have said I have not seen them in person, I have seen many pictures. I never suggested it is what LGBT stands for, you are manipulating and twisting everything you can to look for an argument. You have accused me of saying that it is what LGBT stands for so show me where I said that? I probably would have been dealt with but it at last went on for a minute or two and I never heard of any arrests which there should have been. You say that it would have been dealt with, does that mean you are agreeing it should be dealt with?

Are you serious about that? I claimed nobody wants to see excessive PDAs and you imply I am being ridiculous. Does anyone here want to see excessive PDAs? I know I would be made feel uncomfortable if two people were getting frisky near me. I'm not saying it's wrong or that they should be ashamed, I'm saying it's not something the general public wants to be around.

You are taking the last bit completely wrong. As a child I was being bullied mainly because I am an introvert, I never liked being around people, throughout my childhood I had to learn that if you want peace sometimes you have to blend in. I am not at all suggesting being different is wrong what I am doing is acknowledging the long established fact that being different attracts trouble, I never said it should happen but it does happen. Anyone person that has some sense will recognise that.

GarIT

28064212 wrote: »

And? Offence is in the mind of the offended person. People get offended constantly, day-in, day-out, by incredibly trivial things. People being offended doesn't actually mean anything.

That is correct but as a society we aim to offend people as little as possible.

diveout

GarIT wrote: »

That is correct but as a society we aim to offend people as little as possible.

Yes but as individuals we also have a responsibility as to what we let under our skin so people have the freedom to be themselves.

28064212

GarIT wrote: »

That is correct but as a society we aim to offend people as little as possible.

Since when? A huge amount of society's advances have come at the expense of offending large swathes of people.

GarIT

diveout wrote: »

Yes but as individuals we also have a responsibility as to what we let under our skin so people have the freedom to be themselves.

Which I do, I'm not suggesting that other member of the BDSM community should hide away, I am just suggesting that it would be in everyone's best interests for them to tone down the extreme elements of the pride parade a bit.

GarIT

28064212 wrote: »

Since when? A huge amount of society's advances have come at the expense of offending large swathes of people.

Since we have had laws, some people will always be offended, at times others will have to be offended, where possible though and where it is not necessary we should avoid causing offence.

GarIT

GarIT wrote: »

Which I do, I'm not suggesting that other member of the BDSM community should hide away, I am just suggesting that it would be in everyone's best interests for them to tone down the extreme elements of the pride parade a bit.

Would a girl in a gold string bikini at Mardi Gras get the same request? I think this is a question of taste, not decency.

GarIT

Candie wrote: »

Would a girl in a gold string bikini at Mardi Gras get the same request? I think this is a question of taste, not decency.

At an event like that everybody is aware of the content before it begins. The vast majority of the general public don't know what is involved in the pride parade or many don't even know it is happening. These people may stumble upon the event, and find themselves seeing things they would rather choose not to.

I feel I should point out that a minority of women wear too little at the event too, it's not just men.

bumper234

Renegade Mechanic wrote: »

Discrimination!? Thats p*ssed me off a little. Its not about "discrimination" FFS.. Its about maintaining a little bloody decency in public, be you gay, straight, bi, white, black or f*cking Zoidberg.:mad:

Of course its unacceptable.

I dunno

1 pm on Grafton street outside Brown Thomas is probably going to get you a LOT of looks and possibly some nasty remarks and maybe even a word in you ear from the gardai.

1 AM outside the George will probably still get you some looks, maybe a remark from some drunk eejit and i wouldn't say the guards would look twice.

Pride day? Wear what you like.....it's one day and there are plenty there.

Funny how it's acceptable for a girl to walk into night club wearing next to nothing (shorts and a bra) and will be classed as dressed up

GarIT

GarIT wrote: »

At an event like that everybody is aware of the content before it begins. The vast majority of the general public don't know what is involved in the pride parade or many don't even know it is happening. These people may stumble upon the event, and find themselves seeing things they would rather choose not to.

I feel I should point out that a minority of women wear too little at the event too, it's not just men.

I'm not gay, and I refuse to believe anyone over the age of 10 doesn't know that you can expect outrageous costumes at a Pride parade.

Not that I support public sex, and not that I believe it happened in broad daylight in Dublin in the middle of the day anyway. I'm pretty certain the other parade participants would take a pretty dim view of anyone bringing the parade under the microscope of those looking for a reason to disparage it.

GarIT

bumper234 wrote: »

For about 2 years solid in Temple bar it seemed like every stag night wore these, would you be offended seeing 20 men in these?

[img][/img]http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR4R9_tKon0XgEs1uj-LJ4qL6j6h3Bd75BDgQtd8gggwwjlpP9A

That's not actually someone's arse though, I wouldn't be offended by someone doing it with their actual arse though just disgusted, with those I'd see it as a joke.

GarIT

Candie wrote: »

I'm not gay, and I refuse to believe anyone over the age of 10 doesn't know that you can expect outrageous costumes at a Pride parade.

Most people don't know its happening, a lot of people would expect costumes but most of them would not expect them to the level some people take them.

Dressing up for pride day is great it's all part of the fun of it but a few people take it too far and need to be stopped.

bumper234

GarIT wrote: »

Most people don't know its happening, a lot of people would expect costumes but most of them would not expect them to the level some people take them.

Dressing up for pride day is great it's all part of the fun of it but a few people take it too far and need to be stopped.

Again i'll ask, is it ok for young girls to walk the streets at night heading to pubs and clubs wearing shorts and a bra? How about a short short mini skirt?

And no offence, when you see the pride parade you KNOW it's the pride parade, unless you have just flown in that day from Saudi Arabia.

GarIT

Dallas Texas thinks it should be cracked down on, it's funny that it's them, it's almost too stereotypical http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/homosexuals-angered-as-cops-crack-down-on-lewdness-and-nudity-at-dallas-gay

GarIT

bumper234 wrote: »

Again i'll ask, is it ok for young girls to walk the streets at night heading to pubs and clubs wearing shorts and a bra? How about a short short mini skirt?

And no offence, when you see the pride parade you KNOW it's the pride parade, unless you have just flown in that day from Saudi Arabia.

I thought I already answered, personally I don't know, legally all you have to cover is your genitalia but I think people should still have a bit of decency regarding how they present themselves in public, on the other hand it is a club at night in a strictly adult only setting so I suppose they should be free to do what they want really.

28064212

GarIT wrote: »

Since we have had laws, some people will always be offended, at times others will have to be offended, where possible though and where it is not necessary we should avoid causing offence.

Again, why? People are offended all the time, by trivial things. Should I not wear a Manchester United jersey in case some sensitive Liverpool fans are around today? If we tried not to cause offence, we would be decades, centuries back in social progress. "Someone being offended" is and has never been a good reason for doing or not doing anything

bumper234

GarIT wrote: »

I thought I already answered, personally I don't know, legally all you have to cover is your genitalia but I think people should still have a bit of decency regarding how they present themselves in public, on the other hand it is a club at night in a strictly adult only setting so I suppose they should be free to do what they want really.

I worked in the city center for years and used to.see tourists with kids up to 11 at night. There would be women walking around in short skirts and such. Never bothered me but according to you if there are kids around then they should be covered up right?

GarIT

28064212 wrote: »

Again, why? People are offended all the time, by trivial things. Should I not wear a Manchester United jersey in case some sensitive Liverpool fans are around today? If we tried not to cause offence, we would be decades, centuries back in social progress. "Someone being offended" is and has never been a good reason for doing or not doing anything

So by your logic homophobic comments are ok because who cares if anyone gets offended?

GarIT

bumper234 wrote: »

I worked in the city center for years and used to.see tourists with kids up to 11 at night. There would be women walking around in short skirts and such. Never bothered me but according to you if there are kids around then they should be covered up right?

Basically yeah. In the states being naked around a minor can get you a long time locked up it's a felony. Being nearly naked around children isn't illegal but it's still wrong.

28064212

GarIT wrote: »

So by your logic homophobic comments are ok because who cares if anyone gets offended?

Homophobic comments are ok. There are hundreds of examples every day throughout the country. I don't agree with them, I think they're stupid things said by stupid or ignorant people, but they're "acceptable". Incitement to hatred might be a reason to ban something, but the reason is it's incitement to hatred, not because someone was offended by them

bumper234

GarIT wrote: »

Basically yeah. In the states being naked around a minor can get you a long time locked up it's a felony. Being nearly naked around children isn't illegal but it's still wrong.

This is not America though, walking around with a gun in Ireland will get you arrested but parts of America allow that. So you think these women should be told to cover up?

GarIT

28064212 wrote: »

Homophobic comments are ok. There are hundreds of examples every day throughout the country. I don't agree with them, I think they're stupid things said by stupid or ignorant people, but they're "acceptable". Incitement to hatred might be a reason to ban something, but the reason is it's incitement to hatred, not because someone was offended by them

I'll accept that explanation but just think of this for a second, if you have the choice of offending people or nothing else will change, assume the offending is not relevant to anything else its just arbitrary what do you do? I wouldn't offend them.

Then consider what is gained by people at the pride parade wearing anything less say a pair of shorts, it doesn't have to be a long pair of shorts, even football shorts length. I don't see how any part of the event would be lost by an agreement that nobody would wear less than that and what is does do is protects children from indecent exposure, it keeps other people that may be offended happy, it prevents the image of the LBGT community being dragged down, it seems like all positives to me.

J_E

28064212 wrote: »

Again, why? People are offended all the time, by trivial things. Should I not wear a Manchester United jersey in case some sensitive Liverpool fans are around today? If we tried not to cause offence, we would be decades, centuries back in social progress. "Someone being offended" is and has never been a good reason for doing or not doing anything

Partly why I have a bit of issue with the origins of this thread. the OP is claiming offense to something they had never even been there to see for themselves or verify. If we spent our time being offended at stuff like this, the world would drown in disapproval and finger wagging.