And this question is relevant to SCD how?

Exactly.

This personal attack is as bad as the one who questioned her grief for her brother's death imo.

In a similar way to people who start sentences "I'm not a racist/homophobic/sexist etc but..." then go on to prove that they are exactly that, you mean?

Ah, but this isn't any old AW thread.

This is a DavidJames AW thread.

Which homosexual act? Graham Norton? Sue Perkins?

She was a practising Anglican and converted to Catholicism, so it is relevant.

Sorry, but anybody who converts from being Anglican to Roman Catholic purely on the issue of Y/N to women priests is neither a true Anglican nor a true Catholic, just someone with very pronounced views. Her voting history has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with personal opinion.

Ah, I'm glad you asked that.

Firstly, I'd answer that there are many threads about contestant's personal lives - e.g. the Kara / Artem one recently. So this is along the lines of those.

Secondly, I'd answer is that the reason Ann is in, is all because of her "entertainment" value. So as this entertainment is all about her personality, it's completely valid to ask questions about that personality.

It's not a personal attack.

It's a question about a contestant's personality.

There's a difference.

Both.

Ann has actively campaigned against gay rights in parliament so she isn't really in the same boat as those religious people who think homosexuality is wrong but who hold those views privately and don't attempt to meddle in the lives of gay people.

If Ann wants to be a practicing Christian, then that's up to her. No one should stop her doing so. Why then, does she think she has a right to stop gay couples marrying and adopting children? It's none of her damn business. No one is asking her to marry a rug muncher and adopt a couple of sprogs.

She's an interfering old bigot.

But she has given me a few laughs on Strictly.

This is my favourite post of the entire year.

She's not homophobic, I don't think. That term is used too frequently. It really connotes someone (usually a man) who objects to homosexuality because they secretly fear/know that they themselves are a homosexual.

I would say her beliefs are prejudiced. She spouts particular religious party-line type anti-gay sentiments. It's sad, but it doesn't make her homophobic.

I'd agree with that.


Yup. Not very Christian-like at all to throw your toys out of the pram and take off either.

Note to Dome:

Now that's a personal attack.

See the difference?

Well, I guess my question is: should we apply "acceptability" criteria to candidates at some point, even for a light entertainment show?

I mean, Anton got a lot of flak for his reported comment about Laila last year - and clearly that issue had nothing to do with dancing.

She also tried to stop gay rights legislation by voting against. She is trying to force her view, that homosexuality is wrong on others, surely that equals prejudiced.

People attack with their views on here all the time. The stars of the show are fair game as far as I'm concerned (and being negative about them doesn't break house rules).

I never attack other forum users though.

Sure - and FWIW I have no problems with your post itself.

I'm just trying to explain to Dome why this thread is not a personal attack.

I think everyone uses their own criteria to decide who to vote for.

Even if Ann could dance like Jill Halfpenny i wouldn't vote for her.

Well for some reason Ann's PR is quite good, so she's mainstream, even though her views on homosexuality are no different to e.g. Nick Griffin's. I doubt the same could be said if she'd consistently voted against equal rights for ethnic minorities.

But all that demonstrates is that homophobia is still to some extent entrenched in the system, since people can still get away with prejudice in this area without becoming massively unpopular with everyone who isn't a frothing, bigoted, BNP-style nutter.

Homophobe
Noun
1. Fear of sameness or men
2. Opposition to homosexuals and/or homosexuality

I think they both apply to BoD.

I think we do privately don't we? Even if AW was the most accomplished dancer in the competition, I would not vote for her because of the sort of person she is. I don't think many people ignore personality and solely consider the dancing.

Yes - there's some clear evidence that she has acted in ways which are consistent with homophobia. That doesn't mean she is, it just means her actions are consistent with such a view.

So I guess, to balance this, I wonder, is there any evidence that she is not homophobic?

As I said. Not ANOTHER AW thread! The stuff on this one has been said already on many others. It is getting rather boring. :yawn: