To be horrified by the Card Factory

[Kidsinamerica123]

Browsing and came across this card. For those who can't see it - it's one of those 'old photo with a (supposedly) witty caption' 2 men are pictured standing by a fence with a caption that reads "Having popped out for a fag, Nigel was delighted when one turned up immediately."

Absolutely disgusted by this I called the Card Factory's head office straight away (I demanded the number in the shop), only to be informed "Head office only deal with complaints made in writing - there's nothing I can do for you now!"

AIBU to assume the good-readers of Mumsnet can help them address their misguided, revolting homophobic humour TODAY without waiting for letters to arrive?

I recently saw a "funny" card I found homophobic, and asked MN. There was a fairly even split between "yuk" and "" IIRC.

On the front of the card was a drawing of two people. Two speech bubbles.
1: I got you a birthday card.
2: That's so gay.

That was the entire joke. I felt that it was pure "gay as derogatory adjective" just as Stonewall decries.

In the OP's situation I think the issue is less clear cut. There at least it's a play on words and idiom, and there isn't an obvious negative attached to homosexuality. So as tasteless as I think it might be, I don't think it's deliberately offensive.

I do think we should challenge casual prejudice th.Judt sst not buying it doesn't actually make a stand.

All the lesbian women I know (and that's a fair few) have at some time referred to themselves as "dykes".

A couple who went everywhere on a motorcyle referred to themselves as "The Dykes with the Bikes" and another used to say she was "De-Dyking" her flat whenever her girlfriend went away on business, but she'd come back and "Re-Dyke" it.

I gave this to my gay male best friend last year. He thought it was so funny he framed it and put it on his lounge wall.

i think that's bloody hilarious to be honest!!!

or do you work for clintons?!?!!?

Good grief OP, what an over-reaction to a card.

Personally I think it's hysterical!

Please please do wrote to Head Office, I can't wait to hear their response

oh goodness, chill out!

Where is the op?

Probably still writing to the Card Factory. Maybe their lap top exploded from trying to find 300 plus synonyms for "disgusted".

www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/24/uk-card-factory-accused-of-homophobia-for-selling-offensive-fag-birthday-card/

HORRIFIED??!! Have a

So this is old news then? Or is "Mandy" disappointed nobody was horrified enough?

My son is gay and he would not be happy to see a card like that, he is a serious and sensitive sort though and had a hard time as a teenager excepting his sexuality.

His partner would find it amusing and it would take pride of place on the mantelpiece!

Good post, oh ye of the complicated user name above. We're all different I guess.

I was going to say the same but the thought of typing that name on an iphone put me off!

YABU and sooooooo petty. Obviously nothing better to do.
If you don't like it don't buy it, simples.
I have a male friend who is gay who would find this really funny, I know another who wouldn't. you can't please everybody

I completely dispute that LGBT people have more of a say on what is homophobic or not because they are the one's targeted. It stinks of victim blaming. Would you say that women have more responsibility to target domestic abuse or sexual violence because they are disproportionately affected? I certainly wouldn't.

I do understand that there's a context with this card, and if there were a scale of homophobic words then the word fag probably wouldn't come out on top. But, I would have no problem in disciplining a member of staff if they used it in the workplace and I'd question someone's vocabulary if they thought that it was appropriate to ever call someone else that word.

Some people find the word funny, there we go, but I don't and I wouldn't really want it on a card.

Good post Bump.

I really dislike the sneering on this thread. So your gay best friend would pee himself laughing and think it was the funniest thing ever? Well bully for him. It doesn't mean that everyone else, gay or straight, can't have their own opinions about it.

OP was offended by the card and phoned up to complain. Sounds fair enough to me. Doesn't mean I would have done the same but doesn't mean I'm interested in pointing and laughing at her either.

I think it's offensive. The word 'fag' has always been used as an insult whenever I've heard it. My brother is gay and I doubt he would find it funny.

It's like a card of a guy standing on a beach with a fishing rod with the caption 'I caught a whale' with the hook stuck into the back of a really fat ladies swimsuit.

Or similar.

It seems to be the 'in' thing to find gay jokes hilarious though.

IMO only the victims of derogatory slurs get to be offended. Everyone else can be outraged and disgusted sure, but not offended. Some people can laugh at themselves and others can't, does that mean we should all sit quietly and never make jokes?

Yes I am guilty of being sneery and after onewiththeimpossibleusername's post about her son I felt ashamed. BUT that said the Op phrased it in such a funny way they deserved a ribbing. A teenage boy coming to terms with his sexuality does not deserve it. Maybe the op could come back and write an ingignant post about year 1 reading schemes or parking spaces then it would be better.

Thank you for this am going to go to Card Factory ASAP. If only one of my gay friends was called Nigel.
Ace card.
I love Mumsnet for recommendations.

Yes kim, most people would hope that. What's your point exactly?