Media
Homosexual rights activists have attacked the BBC for failing to uphold a complaint about Chris Moyles using "gay" as an insult.
Stonewall – a lesbian and gay group – said the use of the word should be criticised. Spokesman Andy Forrest said: "Our view would be that the majority of gay people do find the use of gay as a derogatory term very offensive."
The Radio 1 breakfast host used the term after listening to a mobile phone ring tone. He rejected it, commenting: "I don't want that one, it's gay."
However, the BBC Governors Programme Complaints Committee ruling said the use was allowable since the word is now often used by young people to mean "lame" or "rubbish".
"The committee acknowledged that this use of the word `gay' could cause offence to some listeners," the report accepted. "However, the committee believed that Chris Moyles, when using the word, had meant no offence to gay people.
"He was not being homophobic in his use of the word."
Stonewall – a lesbian and gay group – said the use of the word should be criticised. Spokesman Andy Forrest said: "Our view would be that the majority of gay people do find the use of gay as a derogatory term very offensive."
The Radio 1 breakfast host used the term after listening to a mobile phone ring tone. He rejected it, commenting: "I don't want that one, it's gay."
However, the BBC Governors Programme Complaints Committee ruling said the use was allowable since the word is now often used by young people to mean "lame" or "rubbish".
"The committee acknowledged that this use of the word `gay' could cause offence to some listeners," the report accepted. "However, the committee believed that Chris Moyles, when using the word, had meant no offence to gay people.
"He was not being homophobic in his use of the word."
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