Poofters welcome!

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...s-welcome.html

Hotel owner sparks anger by putting up provocative sign declaring 'Poofters welcome'

A hotel owner has caused uproar in his village after putting up a sign outside the building saying 'Poofters welcome here'. Mike Saqui meant the sign to be a pointed reference to the case where a Cornish B&B owner refused to let in gay couples. But many in his village in Hampshire's New Forest were left outraged and he was given a strong talking to by the police. Mr Saqui wrote the message on the sandwich board outside his Penny Farthing Hotel, on a main road in Hampshire's New Forest.

Provocative: The Penny Farthing Hotel in the New Forest. Owner Mike Saqui wrote 'Poofters welcome here' on the sandwich board outside

Residents feared they could be branded a 'village of bigots' but others insisted it was 'light-hearted' and urged councillors to 'lighten up'. The sign also came under fire in January after two residents complained to the council about the message: 'There's more than one gay in the village.' Chairman councillor Mark Rolle told the parish council meeting this week that he had been offended by the slogans. He said: 'There have been some amusing signs occasionally. But last weekend I found one that incensed me.

'The realms of decency were overstepped - we could be branded a village of bigots.' Coun Rolle also said that when he phoned the hotel to complain, a member of staff told him the owner could 'put what he wanted'. Councillor Paul Boyes said: 'I personally find it offensive. I think it is our duty to say something.' And Angela Trend added: 'I found it offensive. Some people aren't confident enough to go in and make a stand.'

However, other councillors disagreed. Leonard Cornell said: 'It's not offensive, it's a fact. On its website it is listed as gay friendly.' Councillor Pat Wyeth said: 'It wasn't particularly appropriate but it is not something the parish council should get involved with. 'On the whole it is only that last one and the one just before which caused offence. I honestly do not think it is something we should get involved with - the police should have a word if it oversteps the mark. If someone is offended by it, go in and say it.'

Mr Saqui, 45, said: 'This is a just a storm in a teacup and the parish council has overreacted. 'I've been writing fun, comical messages on the A-board for the last 10 years and no harm is meant by them. 'We have a small minded parish council who have their knickers in a twist and I just want to get on running a business. 'This is the political correctness culture gone mad. The latest message is not homophobic, we welcome gays, lesbians or whoever.

Excellent little (and funny) story here, this is the way to make them [the PC crowd] look stupid - play them at their own game of ridiculous loopholes and make them look the fools they are. There are loads of comments on the Mail comment board from gay people giving a real insight into how most of the public react to instances such as this - they laugh it off or simply ignore it, just how most of us act in real life. The fact the Thought Police actually spoke to somebody because of their views (and a view which was a joke overall) goes to show just how far down the road of insanity and censorship we have gone.

Time to reclaim free speech.

Thoughts?

[Callum.]

Well if you said ******* welcome here, saying black people are welcome here, it'd be racist.

So is poofters not homophobic in such context?

[-:Undertaker:-]

Well if you said ******* welcome here, saying black people are welcome here, it'd be racist.

So is poofters not homophobic in such context?

Thats the hypocrisy of it all, thats why stands like this are good because they show how stupid and unpractical it is to attempt to regulate free speech. Thus beating them at their own ridiculous game.

[Inseriousity.]

That's my main problem with the pc brigade. They never actually 'belong' to the group they are claiming it'd offend.

[Technologic]

I find the term poofter quite offensive...

[MrPinkPanther]

it made me laugh.

[Casanova]

This is what pisses me off. I always relate what's known as profanity or offensive terms in the pitch and the text they're said/meant in. What I mean by that is, I can be joking with my brother and he can say "oh shut up you poof!" in a gest. This isn't offensive, it's used in jest and it's not meant to cause any harm? Whereas, if I had an arguement with my brother and in a bad tone he said "**** off you poof!!!!" I'd find that offensive as the tone/meaning of the sentence was offensive?

So yeah, I totally agree and applaud this guy, his sense of humour and his clear and just thought! He's jesting, he's having a laugh and it's in no way offensive?

[GommeInc]

Something is only offensive if the sentiments behind the words are real. If they're joking, then it's pointing fun at the PC brigade. It's quite funny, but hopefully not going to be a long-term idea to keep the sign up

[Casanova]

i guess it's a pretty ingenious advertisement. A lot of companies would pay consultant's top dollhair for this innovation !

[Jam]

i guess it's a pretty ingenious advertisement. A lot of companies would pay consultant's top dollhair for this innovation !

Sarcasm? If a hotel chain had that as a slogan there would be an uproar.