I must admit that I had NO IDEA what a chutney ferret was until I read this story in today's Independent. It seems it is an abusive term for a homosexual, and in this case the gay man who was called a "chutney ferret" has won substantial damages from his employer.
Now then, here's the killer fact; It transpires that at no time was the gay employee called this name to his face. In fact, he only discovered third hand, from a colleague, that the manager had allegedly called him "a f******* chutney ferret"!
On this basis, the Employment tribunal sitting in Brighton - that Mecca of gayness for the south coast of England - found that that his dignity had been violated and thus he was awarded £10,000.
As a result of this decision, homophobic language must not be permitted in the workplace. Doesn't it appear that homosexuals are being singled out to get special status - they are the minority group that we all have to care deeply about not to offend. Of course it is wrong to abuse someone at their place of work because of what they may get up to in their private life - but it's also time for a reality check. Offices and factories revolve around petty gossip - most of it total nonsense! It seems to me that what lies behind this decision is to elevate homosexuals to the peak of the "most sinned against" pyramid and frankly, I don't see why we should accept that. Is it OK to discuss heterosexuals lifestyles in a sarcastic way? What about lazy people and their dignity? How about stupid people, it's their lifestyle choice to be thick after all so why can't we just accept it?
Can we make laws that outlaw all conversation in the workplace lest some group or sect somewhere takes offence?
Even by the standards of English slang, 'Chutney Ferret' seems an awfully contrived for a gay man. The amount of relish some straight people take in trading names like this with their friends often makes me wonder if gay sex holds a strange fascination for them.
(No puns intended in the last sentence. It just came out that way.)
As with most of these cases, the context of the remark is of greater importance than the remark itself.
If this had been a case of a throwaway water cooler remark by one of the man's peers at work, then he would have had less grounds for objection. That the remark was made by someone in authority who is probably in a position to decide this person's entitlement to salary increases or promotion is what makes this issue a serious one for the victim.
Posted by: Hugh Green | May 16, 2005 at 12:02 PM
Should read 'an awfully contrived name'
Posted by: Hugh Green | May 16, 2005 at 12:05 PM
Nice picture, David. Funny terminology.
Posted by: ed | May 16, 2005 at 07:20 PM
god all this is so wrong if they had never changed the law on homosexuality they would have no rights. they are the freaks and should be exterminated like all misfits and deviants. this society has become to pc its time we all stood up and let the wankers who think they run this country know it is our right to call gays names if they dont like it then fuck off and live in san fransico
Posted by: kev | August 02, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Hi Kev.
Strikes me you might be repressing something... fighting the urge to hang around gents toilets, are we? Getting frustrated and angry because you're too scared to come out?
Sounds like a holiday in San Francisco might be just the ticket for you, mate.
Posted by: Mark | August 27, 2009 at 11:19 AM
it really does f**K me off how people could be so shallow, being gay don't mean your a freak! or head-f**ked. the only thing it mean is a man has sex with another man. is it so wrong to love the same sex.. ? i don't think so. if you love some-one then i say what the hell go with it. no matter who it may be with.. gay people don't go round saying ew don't speak to him he's streght! or they don't go battering men that love a moman so why is it so right for people to do this to gay guys? just because a man is in love with another man, this is shocking and i say bang the shallow pr**ks in jail that go beating people up for loveing the same sex. yes i have to agee hagin' around tolits is abit sleezy, but still what about freedone? the is just no need to be so nasty, maybe people that don't like gay people should take there anger on criminuls like ''murder'' and ''pedoz'' that's wrong, loving another human isn't so give your heads a wobble an sort your shit out..!!
Posted by: ross | November 22, 2009 at 08:51 PM
fucking chutney ferrets
Posted by: barry | July 01, 2010 at 09:02 AM
i think chutney ferret is funny more funny is shit stabber
Posted by: turd burglar | October 16, 2011 at 12:51 AM