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?

Again - don't buy the card or ticket to the comedy show if you find the humour upsetting/offensive/whatever.

If it's about choice why can't we have cards containing derogatory terms for black people to send to our racist friends? Maybe jokes about rape to send to out sexist friends as well? It's an offensive word and legally classed as hate speach therefore should not be an option to have on a greetings card.

the word fag is a play on words

that is why it is a joke it is still used in our language meaning cigarette, it can have another meaning

i can not think of any racist terms that could be used in the same way

If the comedy (or card, or t shirt, or whatever) is not breaking any law then it's OK, yes. We have free speech within a defined legal framework in this country, like it or not.

I'm interested to know what the people who are so 'it's hilarious can't you take a joke' about this card would think about someone they knew to be homophobic sending it to someone else they knew to be homophobic?

Sexuality is a protected characteristic, though, unlike being a mother-in-law, or fat, or blonde.

So it's not automatically ok to make sexuality jokes so long as someone finds them funny, as far as the law is concerned.

How about refering to black people as monkeys? Do you think a card showing black people while describing them as monkeys is ok?

How about slag? Maybe builders saying they need more slag and women being used as the picture?

The card is not refering to a cigarette there is no ciggarette present. It's calling gay men fags and that isn't acceptable. Just like the above examples would not be acceptable.

Why is racism and sexism bad but casual homophobia just good fun?

I could send a happy father's day card to someone who recently lost a father or child.

I would question whether fag in this context could be classed as illegal - but am prepared to stand corrected.

Again - it's all interpretations of humour. We might find them offensive or upsetting, but that doesn't mean it should be censored (unless of course it's illegal).

how is Trannie a play on words

bitch yes

i know gay men who will use the word fag, i have never ever heard a black person refer to another black person as a monkey

Would I use these words? No.

Would I buy something with them written on the front, or pay to see a comedy show that used that type of humour? No.

Do I think that they should be banned completely from comedy (when it's a choice if you buy the ticket or the item)? No.

I'm not offended by it but I can see why it could be offensive to some.

My understanding is that many, many years ago homosexuals were burnt to death - in the same way as witches I suppose - as punishment.

Faggots were bundles of wood used as fuel for fire. I seem to recall reading that the phrase "throw a faggot on the fire" was used to mean add more fire wood, but also to mean burn another homosexual to death.

A greetings card dosnt have to be bought to offend though, it's in clear view and promotes the word fag as an insult to gay men as acceptable, that should not be allowed and as another person said is questionable legally.

i have never heard of a transistor radio being called a trannie

fag is a common word in our language

and i am not so sure that those that have been attacked by certain words can not see humour when these words are used

and what SirChen said

Goodness. You seem a bit delicate.

So would you expect a black person to see humour in the word niggar? Because it's no different.

Yes, they should be on sale unless they are breaking the law, and I don't think that this card is breaking the law in this context. As I said, I might not agree with it, but I agree with free speech and choice more - within context.

So would you expect a black person to see humour in the word niggar?

I believe some black people do.

But would you expect them to?