Reevesey's recommended reading

Friday 2 October 2009

Right wing newspaper apologises, not, for homophobic comments

So, as you may have read on my little blog yesterday, Right Wing homophobic Newspaper Strikes Again, well it appeared late last night that Iain Dale had received a personal apology from Peter McKay who does the Ephraim Hardcastle column in the Daily Mail.

However, as the first editions were published online it appeared this apology was nothing more than a hoax, as today's column says;

"Tory blogger Iain Dale complains about an item here yesterday. I mentioned that Dale, who is gay, is hoping to become the Tory candidate at Bracknell, Berkshire, and invited subscribers to PinkNews, the homosexual website, to attend the open primary on October 17, saying: 'You don't even have to be a Conservative to attend.' Dale says my comment - 'Isn't it charming how homosexuals rally likeminded chaps to their cause?' - is homophobic, as is my description of him as 'overtly gay'. He has complained to the Press Complaints Commission, and suggested his readers email complaints. I have nothing against Dale. Nor am I homophobic. But if he wants to become an MP, surely he'll have to become a little less sensitive. Incidentally, the Tories are having their first gay pride event at their Manchester conference next week. They'll promote a new 'gay-friendly' logo, Conservative Pride. Isn't life grand"

I really disagree with Peter McKay, this isn't about sensitivity. As I said yesterday if a person is suitable for a job what difference does their sexuality, skin colour or even religion make? None

The line I find offensive is the "Isn't it charming how homosexuals rally likeminded chaps to their cause?" - it is homophobic and bloody patronising and to be honest comments like this are what drive some of the homophobic bullying that goes on today in workplaces and schools up and down the country.

1 comment:

Haribo said...

I won't be sending any complaints, as McKay and the Mail should be perfectly free to print this stuff.

However, it embarrasses both of them, and with today's comments McKay is digging himself into an even deeper hole of ignominy (so to speak).

How supposedly intelligent adults can harbour such absurd sentiments really is beyond me.

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