“Pillow biter” acceptable language in Australia
A tribunal in Australia has ruled that an outspoken radio host has the right to vilify homosexuals on air.
The Administrative Decisions Tribunal in New South Wales was hearing a case brought by gay activists under the country’s anti-discrimination laws.
The tribunal agreed with gay activists that the use of terms like ‘pansy,’ ‘fairy’ and ‘pillow biter’ by radio broadcaster John Laws did constitute vilification.
“By majority we rule that his publication of these statements on the radio fell within an exception established by the (Anti-Discrimination) Act that is designed, within appropriate limits, to preserve freedom of expression,” the tribunal ruled, according to telegraph.co.uk
“Our majority decision is accordingly that the publication was lawful.”
The radio host had made comments on his show on South Cross Broadcasting about the visit to Australia of camp presenter of TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Carson Kreesley in 2004.
“I remember when Australia was a land of proud, dedicated women and hard-drinking and hard-talking men.
“Why this sudden proliferation of pansies I don’t know. The sooner this fairy flies out and lets us judge our own women on our own criteria the better,” Mr Laws said.
He also called Mr Kreesley a pillow biter and a pansy.
Laws, 71, is the highest paid personality on Australian radio.
Gay activist Gary Burns, who brought the complaint to the tribunal, said, “I took this action because I believe it’s important to stand up and erase hate in society.
“It’s about standing up against bullies,” he said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I didn’t win on this occasion, but I will continue in my mission to dissuade hate in society.”
