Homophobia will not be tolerated in this party

18th August 2009 10:56 | by Andrew Robinson

One of the first things I read this morning was this blog in the Telegraph. While the author is clearly interested in having the sort of rational, well thought out debate about issues that we as a party are trying to encourage, instead he makes this very serious point: "Glance through the comments on any post or news article about the issue and you’ll find a reference to the fact that Mandelson is gay, as if this somehow affects his ability to tell right from wrong."

I would like to point out that the Pirate Party UK's blogs are an exception, and I've never seen any evidence of homophobia by party members. I also want to say this very firmly: "We absolutely will not tolerate homophobic statements by any party member."

Our party name was chosen to draw attention to the fact the our side of the debate has been ridiculed by the pro-copyright lobbyists, the very term 'pirate' is evidence that the opposition to rational debate on copyright reform is willing to stoop to ad hominem attacks. Debating seriously and fairly against infantile arguments like equating sharing with stealing is the best way to get the world to think about our policies and understand that they are sensible solutions to genuine problems. We have the moral high-ground in these debates at the moment, but throwing disgusting personal insults around is not going to help our cause. We are the voice of reason in this debate, not the voice of irrational hatred.

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8 comments

18th August 2009 12:48 by Stephen Ogden
The home page says: • Ensure that everyone has real freedom of speech and real freedom to enjoy and participate in our shared culture. To me this also means freedom of expression, freedom to be yourself, and freedom from being persecuted. I also believe these freedoms have responsibilities with them, and that the freedoms END at the point to which they impinge on the freedoms of others. Homophobia is NOT compatible with my view of these freedoms, so I whole heartedly agree with Andy that as a party we shouldn't tolerate it. Thank you Andy!
18th August 2009 14:54 by mabsark
"Debating seriously and fairly against infantile arguments like equating sharing with stealing is the best way to get the world to think about our policies and understand that they are sensible solutions to genuine problems." This is how you should deal with any hommophobic comments you comes across, if they are in fact homophobic comments and not just political correctness rearing it's head. Calling someone 'gay' or some variant of 'gay' is not homophobic, it's either a statement of fact or a insult. Calling someone an 'idiot' or some variant of the word is also an insult. We have no problem insulting people, and sometimes we even insult people as a joke. Treating gay people as somehow unequal is homophobic, insulting or joking about their sexuality is not.
18th August 2009 18:38 by bobappleyard
mabsark: why is saying some is gay an insult again? Peter Mandelson does happen to be gay, as far as I know, but we shouldn't presume that to reflect upon his character, because it would be incorrect to do so.
19th August 2009 12:10 by EdmundRW
I haven't noticed any such comments and have actually been very impressed by the caliber of debate & maturity
19th August 2009 13:50 by John McKeown
If people choose to define themselves and their lives by their sexuality that is their choice, but to use "gay" as an adjective for one of the protagonists in an unrelated debate is just plain homophobic.
24th August 2009 11:38 by sipos
Agree. I think it is dangerous to say "We absolutely will not tolerate homophobic statements by any party member." though. As supporters of free speech, we should tolerate free speech, however offensive. What we should not do, is allow people to slander us by pretending that it is something we support. There should be a clear and unequivocal statement of the party’s views regarding equality. That way, anyone who makes homophobic statements is only making themselves look bad by failing to understand these views. In reality, I suspect that these comments are random expressions of frustration at Peter Mandelson. This should be discouraged as well. It is really a very poor tactic in any argument. It just shows how little the author of the comment actually has to say.
25th August 2009 00:55 by bitplane
This post makes me extremely angry, it stinks of hypocrisy. Restrictions on politically incorrect speech is not compatible with freedom of speech. If party members are express homophobic, racist or just plain childish views then challenge the ideas with logic and ridicule, do not censor or threaten them. If this is to be the official party line then the statement "Ensure that everyone has real freedom of speech..." should be removed. Freedom to make controversial statements is what freedom of speech is all about, freedom to toe the party line is not real freedom. Get your philosophy in order PPUK, whatever happened to “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
25th August 2009 01:34 by Stephen Ogden

I may defend your right to say it, but I won't defend your right to say it while representing me.

I won't defend your right to say it without finding you offensive.

I won't defend you being a member of a political party respecting individuals if you say it.

You might have freedom to say something, but you have no inalienable rights to be a member of the PPUK.

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