Popular television characters could vanish from screens because of homophobia law
Popular television characters could disappear from our screens if the Government succeeds in passing making homophobia a crime, the comedian Rowan Atkinson has warned.
In a meeting at the House of Lords this week, the Blackadder star urged peers to vote down the proposal to outlaw "homophobic hatred".
He warned that legislation could stifle the creativity of writers and television producers, creating an atmosphere in which there was a reluctance to create homosexual characters or make "gay" jokes.
The BBC and other broadcasters have come under criticism in recent years over the portrayal of homosexuals in a number of popular television shows, including the "Only Gay in the Village" character played by Matt Lucas in the BBC2 programme Little Britain.
There have also been complaints about remarks made by presenters such as Chris Moyles, the Radio 1 DJ, who was cleared of causing offence by the BBC for using the word "gay" in a derogatory manner.
Last year, a law banning incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation was amended in the House of Lords to include a "free speech" clause, exempting from prosecution general discussion or criticism of homosexuality, in a move which campaigners hailed as providing protection for comedians and those opposed to same-sex unions.
However, the Coroners and Justice Bill, which comes before the Commons later this month, overturns this legal protection for free speech. If, as expected, the Bill is passed, it will then go to the Lords, when peers must decide whether to defy MPs and reinstate the clause.
Urging them to stand firm, Mr Atkinson, who is currently starring as Fagin in the West End revival of Oliver!, told the meeting of 50 peers: "I do not believe that legislation of such a censorious nature as that of hate speech, carrying as it does the risk of a seven year jail sentence for saying the wrong thing in the wrong way, can ever by justified merely by the desire to 'send the right message'.
"Do I think that I would risk prosecution because of jokes or drama about sexual orientation with which I might be involved if we don't have the free speech clause? Not really - but I dread something almost as bad - a culture of censoriousness, a questioning, negative and leaden attitude that is encouraged by legislation of this nature."
Lord Waddington, the former Conservative Home Secretary who led the campaign for the free speech clause, added: ``Peers from across the House came together to declare their intention of resisting the Government. They are encouraged in their stance by support from Rowan Atkinson, Liberty, the Church of England, The Christian Institute and many others. The Government has got a fight on its hands."
Simon Calvert, spokesman for the Christian Institute, said: "Rowan Atkinson has warned about the chilling effect of the homophobia law if the free speech clause is removed.
"Who knows what influence this might have on the decisions of writers and programme-makers who are often unwilling to offend politically-correct sensitivities.
"As for Christian preachers, they too will feel the pressure to trim down the gospel message."
Some of Britain’s most popular television shows and best loved presenters could be at risk if the legislation is passed, campaigners fear.
Repeats of old favourites, such [as] John Inman’s camp department store salesman in Are You Being Served, complete with his catchphrase of “I’m Free,” risk falling foul of the proposed law.
In Gavin and Stacey, the uncle and nephew characters of Bryn and Jason, who both appear to be homosexual, have a strained relationship after a mysterious incident on a fishing trip.
Daffyd “the Only Gay in the Village,” created by Matt Lucas for the Little Britain show, has become a national catchphrase.
Jeremy Clarkson, the Top Gear presenter, was criticised for describing a car as “a bit gay,” while Chris Moyles was cleared by the BBC for equating the word with “rubbish”.
Two new sketch shows, by Al Murray and the Gavin and Stacey team of James Cordon and Matt Horne, have been attacked over characters featuring a Nazi who wears pink and a homosexual war reporter.
