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Comedian, Rowan Atkinson's Past Homophobic Comes Come Back To Haunt Him

in the wake of his recent car accident. Gays are pointing to this article published back in 2009 as a reminder...

"Rowan Atkinson attacks gay hate law"

Comedian Rowan Atkinson has criticised hate speech legislation, saying that the House of Lords must vote against a government attempt to remove a free speech clause in a homophobic hatred offence. The Blackadder actor, addressing a meeting of Lords on Tuesday, warned of creating a culture of “censoriousness” by removing free speech.

He said: “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 but is considerably and meaningfully alleviated by the free speech clause.”

“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’.”

He cited Christian groups as being “particularly concerned” the law will be used against them, adding that “heavy-handed police intervention” had been used before in instances of groups condemning gays and lesbians.

The Coroners and Justice Bill is being used to remove the clause added by Parliament in May last year. Although an amendment to keep the clause may be voted on in the Commons next week, the matter is likely to progress to the House of Lords.

Atkinson has criticised anti-hate laws in the past.

In 2004, he launched a campaign against a government bill to outlaw inciting religious hatred.

He said: “To criticise a person for their race is manifestly irrational and ridiculous but to criticise their religion, that is a right. That is a freedom.

“The freedom to criticise ideas, any ideas – even if they are sincerely held beliefs – is one of the fundamental freedoms of society.”

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by Anonymousreply 17February 25, 2018 10:17 PM

Atkinson is correct to oppose censorship in the name of political correctness. I'd rather give everyone the freedom to indulge in hate speech than persecute anyone for "thought crimes."

by Anonymousreply 1September 30, 2014 5:16 PM

His sports car cam a cropper near my friend's parents house years ago, he had a flat I think , before mobiles were ubiquitous and he banged on their door asking for assistance, which my friend's very kind and very English middle class dad willingly gave. Apparently Atkinson was a rude bastard, very ungrateful.

by Anonymousreply 2September 30, 2014 5:19 PM

came ^

by Anonymousreply 3September 30, 2014 5:21 PM

He's worrying about Christians, and he seems to think that race is not the same as sexuality.

by Anonymousreply 4September 30, 2014 5:32 PM

Renowned British Homosexualist Stephen Fry is one of Atkinson's best friends. How could he be homophobic?

by Anonymousreply 5September 30, 2014 8:28 PM

OP doesn't understand the difference between protecting freedom of speech and defending hate speech.

Atkinson has never been homophobic - he might be rude as R2 said, but OP is getting hysterical over nothing.

OP has also never heard of Voltaire: I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.

by Anonymousreply 6September 30, 2014 8:34 PM

Atkinson was RIGHT about that proposed law. You can't have a free country without free speech.

That doesn't make him OR me homophobic.

It doesn't mean he nor the homophobes are inciting violence, either.

You can't stifle people's opinions; only counter them.

by Anonymousreply 7September 30, 2014 9:43 PM

The best solution to hate speech is retaliatory hate speech.

by Anonymousreply 8September 30, 2014 9:45 PM

Atkinson didn't say anything homophobic.

by Anonymousreply 9October 30, 2014 6:50 AM

In order to understand this speech properly one has to listen to it as spoken through a massive crop of nose hair.

by Anonymousreply 10October 30, 2014 6:58 AM

Rowan used to be adorable when he was young and was handsome as a middle aged man.

by Anonymousreply 11February 25, 2018 5:30 PM

^ This never happened.

by Anonymousreply 12February 25, 2018 5:33 PM

I preferred Rik Mayall.

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by Anonymousreply 13February 25, 2018 5:38 PM

OP obviously doesn’t understand that protecting free speech is not the same as heading up a lynch mob.

by Anonymousreply 14February 25, 2018 5:40 PM

He’s always been ugly @R11

by Anonymousreply 15February 25, 2018 5:44 PM

[quote] a culture of censoriousness, a questioning, negative and leaden attitude

Sounds to us like heaven.

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by Anonymousreply 16February 25, 2018 6:05 PM

Has-been. I remember him complaining of other, younger comics taking his limelight, Peter Kay was mentioned and he's hardly a juvenile so it must have been some time ago. Atkinson really doesn't need to concern himself with any of this as nobody is listening to him anymore.

by Anonymousreply 17February 25, 2018 10:17 PM
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