Accused of a 'homosexual jihad': David Farrier A documentary journalist David Farrier is making about the bizarre world of competitive tickling he uncovered has nabbed enough community support to go ahead. It’s passed the $25,000 target set on Kickstarter, with Stephen Fry among its backers. Farrier has been quick to express his thanks. “This lets us travel to the United States in July to shoot this thing. It means the world and to all who have pledged - welcome to the family: It's so nice to have you all on this journey.” The documentary has also nabbed $10,000 worth of post-production gifts and cash from the Documentary Edge Festival after winning a pitching competition. The project was launched after Farrier, who generally reports on quirky stories for 3News, was sent a link to a website offering young men from all over the world a paid trip to LA, accommodation in a 5-star hotel and thousands of dollars cash, in exchange for being part of ‘competitive tickling’ videos. When he tried to get in touch with the listed organisers he was met with homophobia, with a purported organiser telling Farrier “To be brutally frank, association with a homosexual journalist is not something that we will embrace”. The emails continued they became increasingly homophobic, “and all over me wanting to do a story about the very straight activity of young, attractive men tickling each other,” Farrier has sarcastically explained, in light of the homoerotic nature of the tickling videos. The journalist and friends began digging and unearthed fake identities leading back to a man with a history of impersonating others – who is now bringing in lawyers and private investigators, and filing copyright claims against Farrier and his team. Among the things Farrier has been accused of include launching a 'homosexual jihad'.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 3rd June 2014 - 12:08pm