Is it acceptable to use the word poof as a joke in Pantomime?

[girlfriend44]

Just wondered.
Gay man has part in panto that I've recently been too.

Tries to get laughs like Julian Clary and Larry Grayson did, on the back of being gay.

Comes on stage and at the same time there's a loud bang noise and he said something like always good to have a poof in the panto or words to that affect or its not a panto without a poof.

I guess alot of the youngsters wouldn't understand it, and it goes over their head anyway.
Alot of panto jokes are not just for children.
Just wondered what do you think of using the word poof in a panto today.
Wasn't it more an old fashioned saying?
AiBU mentioning this quite prepared to be told I am no worries.

Just wondered what others thought.

I'm not sure if you're being genuine....
Lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer (and there's usually a + at the end which encompasses everything else like non binary, inter sex, etc). Everything that's not straight or identifying as the sex they were born in other words.

Isn’t that just wordplay in the word ‘poof’ ie. Meaning a poof (ie puff) of smoke, and a poof (ie gay). All pantos have these double entendres type jokes.

I'm sure the poster knows what LGBTQ means. I suspect, like me and many, they don't understand "LGBTQ industry"

I'm not sure if it's a great idea to say it's ok for some people to use it but not others. It all just becomes divisive. Plenty of gay people will be offended and wouldn't use it themselves. Being gay isn't some sort of club that everyone has the same rules

This!
I know what LGBTQ is, but i don't know what 'LGBTQ industry' is. @DreamingOfASilentNight you mention your son works in the LGBTQ industry, i'm just wondering what that actually is.

I’ll let gay people decide what terms they want to use. It still doesn’t feel right to me as a straight person to hear queer, but it’s not up to me.

Katie Price has been touring in one. Nuff said. 🤮

Says who?

😂😂😂

@EternalSunshine19 sorry, I understand. He manages a business specifically dealing with the needs of that sector. It would not be a place straight cis people would be unlikely to go, although no one would be bothered if they did I wouldn't think. Understandably I don't want to be outing on this.

Even based in central London he gets a lot of harassment despite not having what would be considered a stereotypically " gay" appearance.

The LGBTQ industry could comprise anything from, entertainment / bars/ clubs specifically aimed, counselling and therapy services/ healthcare provision with a specific emphasis on the gay or trans community, specialised shops of some kind. There is a considerable segment of the population whose needs might be more specifically catered for in a specialised setting given the discrimation that is even still so prevalent, and also specific expertise which applies, so there is a dedicated industry segment that deals with it. I hope that helps a bit with what I mean.

I think as he is a gay man, playing a part in a panto ot is fine and a little funny.

I haven't heard that word used in decades.

LTB

Demonstrate outside - placard reads 'no poofs in panto'

This

It's a very old fashioned word!
The kids say "zesty" these days - seems to mean what I would call camp. I'm sure you don't need to be offended on his behalf.

If he was gay, it’s fine, They reclaimed the word years ago. 👍

I'm not sure "zesty" is particularly kind or respectful though 🤷🏻‍♀️

I would have been shaking and crying with anger and shock if I'd been there.

Hold on I need to start filming how distressing this is, for insta.