As the nation's public service broadcaster, the BBC should not be allowing homophobic terms to be used in any of its output - #ChangeFTONY

We, the undersigned, object to the BBC permitting homophobic language being used on BBC TV. We are objecting specifically to the inclusion of the word 'faggot' as heard on BBC1 in the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special on Christmas Day 2019.

The total viewing figures for the show were 17.1 million, making it the most-watched scripted show of the decade.

As such, whilst it was not the intention, we feel that the editorial decision to allow this word to be included in the show, has the unfortunate side-effect of 'normalising' homophobic terms of abuse, terms that are often used with the intention of harming LGBTQI people and are often used when we are verbally and physically assaulted.

Furthermore, we feel there is a direct correlation between the normalising of homophobic language in popular culture and the increase in incidents of Hate Speech and Hate Crime in the UK.

A hate crime is defined as "any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice".

In September 2019, BBC Radio 5 Live journalists reported that cases of homophobic abuse in the UK have significantly increased from 5,807 in 2014-15, to 13,530 in 2018-19 (a 133% increase).

In reality, every single day LGBTQI people across the UK are contacting the police about verbal and physical abuse they experience just because of their sexuality. And we would argue that normalising homophobic terms by broadcasting them into the homes of millions of people on Christmas Day contributes to this abuse.

 

We accept that the original intent of the songwriters  (Jem Finer, Shane MacGowan) was not homophobic, but to use the word 'faggot' in the context of an argument between a sparring heterosexual couple having an argument at Christmas time. It is not the purpose of this petition to dispute this.

We note however that the performers of the song (these lyrics frequently sung by the late Kirsty McColl) subsequently changed the lyrics, commonly replacing the sentence that included the offending word, when she performed it live following the songs original chart success, demonstrating that she understood that the inclusion of the word faggot had the potential to cause great offense and being sympathetic to this.

Also, one of the songwriters, Shane McGowan, has publicly said he is more than happy for an edited version of the song to be used in future if people find it offensive.

 

In advance of the BBC 1 screening, equality campaigner Peter Tatchell tweeted:

''BBC will not censor ‘f****t’ from song Fairytale of New York in Gavin & Stacey Christmas special. BBC wouldn't screen a Christmas song using the n-word. It would be deemed bigoted & unacceptable. So why double standards when it comes to the f-word''?

He went on to urge the BBC to reconsider its decision not to censor the f-word, because it is “pejorative against the LGBT community”. He added: “It would send completely the wrong signal. It will give comfort to homophobes everywhere.”

Following the show being aired, Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive of The LGBT Foundation in Manchester tweeted:

''It doesn’t matter if YOU don’t find the Fairy Tale of New York offensive, the fact that some people ARE upset about the use of that word should be enough.@LGBTfdn we deal with the impact of discrimination every day, even Christmas Day. If you need support we are #HereIfYouNeedUs''

The LGBT Foundation also tweeted their support:

(1/2) It's disappointing that during last night's Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special the uncensored lyrics of Fairytale of New York were broadcast. There were many ways this specific line could have been edited or the script adapted, avoiding needless hurt to LGBT people.

(2/2) Homophobic slurs are still a sad reality for many LGBT people and can contribute towards feelings of shame or isolation, particularly those struggling to come out. We hope future scriptwriters will take note of the public response, choosing more inclusive language instead.

 

The BBC has wrestled with this particular issue previously and has previously placed sanctions on the performance of this song. In December 2007, BBC Radio 1 caused a public outcry by editing the word faggot from their broadcasts of the song, deeming it 'potentially homophobic' (however the edit didn't extend to other BBC stations for example BBC Radio 2). Following widespread criticism and pressure from listeners, the decision was reversed and the original unedited version of the song was reinstated (with clarification from the then station controller Andy Parfitt who said that the lyrics had no ''negative intent''. 

We are now 13 years on and suggest that the time has now come for the BBC to revisit this subject and listen to the concerns of the LGBTQI community, particularly with the knowledge that hate crime against our communities is rising dramatically.

We could talk at length here about the Etymology of the word faggot. In their response to complainants, the BBC claim that the word is 'a contemptuous and antiquated word for laziness'.

Some people have commented on Social Media that the origins of the word are actually French and refers to a cheap bundle of sticks/kindling that is used to start a fire and in the context of using this word as a slur implies that burning of #LGBTQI people is permissible.

Others on social media have claimed that faggot is commonly understood to be an old an Irish word. Many Irish and non-Irish people dispute this (actually the Irish for lazy is Leisciúil or falsa, not 'faggot'). More importantly, this is not the common understanding of this word's meaning in 2019/2020 in the UK.

Others have correctly pointed out that the song is set in 1950's New York, a time when the word faggot was widely used as an offensive term to describe gay men.

However, what is important here is to understand the lyrics in the song in a contemporary context, not in the context of the scenario that the songwriters are describing in the song. And it would be ludicrous to suggest that when people are singing 'those' lyrics, that they stop to think, ''oh yes, this means lazy, doesn't it'.

Nobody stopped to explain context or nuances whilst watching this show on Christmas Day. Nobody stops to explain context or nuances when they are singing this song year after year at Christmas time. Just as nobody stops to think about context when they are using the word faggot when they are casually using it as a term of abuse.    

In a  contemporary context, it is widely accepted that the word 'faggot' is most commonly used as a homophobic term and is often quoted by members of the LGBTQI community when they recount how they have been verbally and physically attacked. It is a slur that is used with the intent of causing harm, and it can be heard up and down the country, everywhere from the playground to the workplace.

We, the undersigned, feel that this term (or any other homophobic term) has no place being broadcast into the homes of millions of people across the country on Christmas day or any other day.

Imagine, the young people who are questioning their sexuality who are sat at home with their families on Christmas Day hearing this song, including the word faggot, who are made to feel further oppressed by the gleeful and unthinking rapturous singing of this song?

Imagine the thousands of young, and not so young people who heard this word in their homes on Christmas Day on the BBC and think, ''yes, it's acceptable to use that word now'' and then subsequently use it to insult a member of the LGBTQI community, perhaps even as part of a physical attack.

There is little doubt that the BBC's editorial decision to enable this causes harm to LGBTQI people up and down the country, and it's time it stopped.

 

We do not wish to stop anyone's enjoyment of the original  version of the song, indeed, they can download it and listen to it to their hearts content as many times as they like in the comfort of their own homes. However we do feel that the original version of the song has no place on our national broadcaster, be it on any BBC television channel or on any BBC radio channel.

We, the undersigned suggest that if this song must be included in a BBC TV programme, or must be broadcast on BBC radio, then an alternate / edited  version of the song MUST be used.

To be clear, we do not speak for, nor do we claim to speak for the whole of the LGBTQI community and respect that a range of views exist within our community. We do however ask that people respect our view on this issue and respect our right to object.

If you are happy to sign this petition, please also spread the word and share it with your social networks and any other relevant networks as appropriate.

 

900 people contacted the BBC to express their outrange regarding the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special. On the 9th January 2020, many complainants received the same lazy cut and paste response in defence of their editorial decision:

Dear  Mr XXXXXX

Thank you for contacting us about the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special and sorry for the delay in responding to you.

Fairytale of New York is a well-established, much-loved Christmas song which tells the story of a troubled couple in 1940s New York. The descent of their relationship is reflected in the increasingly abusive and offensive terms they use to address each other; insults which are intended to reflect the language that such characters might have used in that era. The origin of the word includes a definition which describes it as a contemptuous and antiquated word for laziness, and the author of the song has cited this inference behind his inclusion of that line.

While the word ‘faggot’ is now widely acknowledged as having the potential to offend, the song never suggests or implies that this is, or was ever, an appropriate way to address another person, nor does it link it to homosexuality.

Nessa and Bryn were seen singing the original lines and we can assure you there was no intention to offend viewers. We understand that some people will find it offensive in any context but we also recognise that the song is widely played and enjoyed in its original form. Ofcom have previously stated that they feel it is “unlikely that audiences would widely perceive [the song] as a serious attempt to denigrate the homosexual community”.

Thank you again for contacting us.

BBC Complaints Team
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

 

In this response, and the approach to dealing with all 900 of these complaints shows woeful ignorance, lack of reflection and a distain for people's concerns. It is also homophobic in and of its-self, including the word that people have complained about whilst at the same time recognising that it has the potential to cause offense.

This is simply not good enough and we demand more from the nations public service broadcaster.

Once people have had the opportunity to respond to this petition, it will be sent to Tony Hall, Director-General of the BBC and the Chairman of the BBC Sir David Clemeti, as well as being sent to Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (@NickyMorgan01) and the Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss (@trussliz) so that they have the opportunity to comment on the BBC's editorial decision and their subsequent response.

On our own we cannot affect change but together we can make a positive difference.

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