I have been following this thread but not previously posted. I have also namechanged but only because what I am about to post will include some identifying information. In other persona I post on the SN, legal and employment sections of the board, and occasionally chat and local. I namechange to split my personal from my professional selves. In this instance they coincide.
I am a lawyer who sometimes specialises in equality, human rights etc. I have worked with the DDA in employment, facilities and education since it was introduced, I now sometimes advise on the equality act.
I have a son who has spastic diplegia CP.
Im my opinion I do not think that the OP in the "catch like a spastic thread" did not breach any part of the Equalities Act. It was not in my opinion hate speech, nor was it harassment on the grounds of disability. I would certainly not take a case on which said that post had been in breach.
Equally I would not take a case where somewhere started an OP with my DP said I behaved like a cunt or even a twat. Despite the fact that language is arguably sexist. I don't believe such posts should be deleted either.
If however the posts said you were a spastic as a term of abuse, or you were a cunt as a term of abuse I would take the case, and I believe that such posts would be deleted assuming they were reported.
Context is important in questions where equality is at stake.
When I first read the catch like a spastic thread it I found it mildly offensive. If only because I was genuinely surprised that there was even a question over this.
However when considering this time is also important. Discrimination on the grounds of sex is prohibited just like discrimination on the grounds of disability is prohibited. In my professional view what is different is the length of time that the legislation has been in place. Sex discrimintation was prohibited in 1975, Disability discrimination in 1996. That's 21 years of differential treatment depending on the protected characteristic. Those 21 years make a real difference in socities attitudes and the continued need to educate about what is and is not acceptable.
I agree with Justabout's list, but also understand Mumsnet HQ's stance given I geniunely do not think that OP breached the Equalities Act. It doesn't mean I like the thread and the comments though, but then again I don't like beng told that everyone ought to drive and women are letting the side down if they don't. I don't like all the comments from women moaning on about how fed up they are of being pregnant when I only managed about 6 months before my son was actually born. I can find that mildly offensive too but I think it is ok to learn just not to read the threads which are going to offend where they don't breach the law, which is in my opinion in a state of flux and conflict given rights do inevitable conflict with each other (to freedom of speech and prevention of hate crime, in respect of the right to privacy, in respect of sexual oreintationd sicrimiantion and religious discrimination where you just cannot please everyone in every protected group and the law has a very difficult balance to try and tread).
I do think clamping down on the posts where people use Mong, spaz, retard as an abuse has in the past been too lax though and am pleased this is being brought to the fore as a general discussion.