'Pillow biter' remark given the OK

Border Mail (Australia) ^ | 3/2/2007

[markomalley]

A TRIBUNAL has cited free speech in dismissing a complaint that broadcaster John Laws vilified homosexuals.

The complaint was made by gay rights activist Gary Burns after Laws called Queer Eye For the Straight Guy star Carson Kressley a “pillow biter” and “pompous little pansy prig” during a show in 2004.

Laws, who made the comments after seeing Kressley on television during a Melbourne Cup broadcast, said they were meant to be humorous and tongue-in-cheek.

In an unusual decision yesterday the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal agreed Laws’s comments were vilification, but a majority dismissed Mr Burns’s complaint on the grounds of free speech.

A disappointed Mr Burns said later he had fought the case to stand up to “bullies”.

He also took a parting swipe at the broadcaster, saying Laws’ “souffle went poof 10 years ago”.

The tribunal panel of acting judge Michael Chesterman and non-judicial members Laura Mooney and Cleonie Quayle ruled Laws was protected by free speech provisions under the Anti-Discrimination Act.

“We rule unanimously that the statements that Mr Laws made on the relevant broadcast constituted homosexual vilification, because they incited severe ridicule of homosexual men on the ground of their homosexuality,” the judgement read.

“By majority, we rule further, however, that his publication of these statements on the radio fell within an exception established by the (Anti-Discrimination) Act that is designed, within appropriate limits, to preserve freedom of expression.

Laws was not present for the decision.

[markomalley]

“By majority, we rule further, however, that his publication of these statements on the radio fell within an exception established by the (Anti-Discrimination) Act that is designed, within appropriate limits, to preserve freedom of expression.

Gotta love it!!!

[sit-rep]

That is my line!! I have been using that line for 15 + years!! Fraud I tell ya!!

[markomalley]

For your lists...

[freedomlover]

I guess Rump Ranger is OK then.

Oh boy is this thread going to be a doozy

[feedback doctor]

A disappointed Mr Burns said later he had fought the case to stand up to “bullies”.

Whaaaaat? You aren't standing up to bullies, you telling the government to make him 'stop calling you names.'
This reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw recently:

I'M NOT MEAN - YOU'RE JUST A SISSY

[Condor 63]

pompous little pansy prig

I don't know what the hell a pillow biter is....

but that part is a dead-on bullseye.