Press Body Allows ‘poofter’ Headings (Press, 19 May 1988)
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Summary: Press Body Allows ‘poofter’ Headings (Press, 19 May 1988)
On 19 May 1988, Britain’s Press Council announced its decision that newspapers could continue to use the terms "poof" and "poofter" in reference to homosexuals, despite complaints lodged against the tabloids "Star" and "Sun." The complaints originated from a London homosexual-rights organisation that contended the newspapers' headlines were derogatory and offensive. These headlines included phrases such as "Runcie’s Poof Ban" and "Runcie Backs Ban On Pulpit Poofs," which referred to Dr. Robert Runcie, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in relation to a debate within the Anglican Church about whether to impose a ban on homosexuals serving in the clergy. Ultimately, the Church did not implement such a ban. The Press Council, which lacks statutory authority, acknowledged that while the language used was considered coarse, these terms were widely recognised and therefore fell within the discretion of newspaper editors. The ruling occurs against a backdrop where homosexuality between consenting adults in private is legal in Britain. The use of these words by the tabloids reflects the ongoing tension in media representation of homosexuality and the existing societal attitudes towards it during this period.
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