'Gay' can mean lame, says BBC

The word gay can mean 'lame' or 'rubbish' and need not be offensive to homosexuals, BBC governors ruled yesterday.

The decision follows a complaint from a listener offended when Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles said of a ringtone: 'I don't want that one, it's gay.'

The listener claimed the BBC was failing to protect homosexuals from 'casual homophobia'.

In its ruling, the BBC programme complaints committee said Moyles's broadcast fell within the 'relevant editorial guidelines'. Young people's 'widespread current usage' of the word meant lame or rubbish, the committee added.

In broadcasting on the flagship Breakfast Show, it added, Moyles would have been using expressions or words listeners themselves used.

However, the panel said it would be advisable to think carefully about using the word in the future, to avoid causing 'unintended offence'. Gay and lesbian rights group Stonewall said the BBC ignored the fact that the derogatory use of the word was 'very offensive'.

Spokesman Andy Forrest added: 'The fact is a section of society is finding it offensive and therefore it should not be used.'

The BBC also dismissed two other 'homophobic' complaints. It denied failing to take seriously abusive comments by rapper Jayceon Taylor, better known as The Game, on Jo Whiley's Radio 1 show.

The panel agreed Whiley 'was swift to make a full apology and to distance the network'.

It went on to dismiss a complaint about an overtly effeminate character on The Catherine Tate Show. It said: 'The purpose of the sketches was to be funny, not realistic.'