in the news
from April 2007

Legislation due to receive its final hearing at the start of this month will mean that the use of such terms as 'queer' 'gay' and 'lesbian' will be illegal, and punishable by an on-the-spot fine.

An all-party committee has been looking at recent laws brought in across the European Union - many of them sneaked in without public consultation - in ‘an attempt to prevent the stigmatisation of minorities’, says Italian Euro MP Avril Sciocco. ‘In the 21st century, it is unacceptable that such terms - and their local equivalents - should be allowed.’

It is proposed that the word ‘homosexual’ be allowed to stay, but only when used in a medical context. In all other fields, the term ‘same-sexers’ will have to be used.

‘The words currently used,’ says Sciocco, ‘are degrading and anachronistic, and it’s time we dragged same-sexers out of their murky past and into the present.’

But Doctor Nancy Boyes (pictured), from the Barnsley Institute of Brains, is not convinced that the legislation will do anything to change attitudes and homophobia.

‘The current plan,’ she says, ‘is for every police force in the country to have a special ‘SS Squad’ who will go around, in plain clothes, listening for people using the old-fashioned terms. Anyone using them will be forced to cough up a £50 fine or risk imprisonment. It will force clubs and bars underground, much like prohibition did in the States in the 30s.’

‘Gay’ will still be allowed - but only in the increasingly-accepted sense of ‘a bit lame’ - as in ‘Your car’s a bit gay, mate.’

To find out more, and to sign a petition calling for the legislation to be scrapped, visit the website at queerandheretostay.com.