Anger at 'homophobic' slogan in shop window

Mar 18 2009 by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer

Inkzone

RUTHERGLEN residents have been left fuming after a tattoo shop used homophobic language to advertise their products.

Inkzone on Farmeloan Road has certain slogans promoting their services painted on the shop window. One of these slogans include “Numbing creams available” and in brackets underneath it states “exclusively for poofters”.

The jibe has caused outrage among the gay community, many of whom feel the language used is degrading and humiliating.

Rutherglen woman Cheryl Howarth claims she was shocked and mortified by the demeaning language and insists this has put her off ever going for a tattoo at Inkzone.

She said: “It’s a disgrace. It’s not good for them if they think they are helping to improve their business.

“It’s such a rude word and there will be kids who pass that shop and read it and will think it’s a perfectly acceptable word to say.

“It makes me feel sick and it shows a total lack of professionalism.

“I’d never go to that place for a tattoo after that, and I’d tell all my friends and they wouldn’t go.”

Chair of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender centre in Glasgow, Lynne Sheridan, issued a stern warning to the business, insisting that if they do not want to suffer a severe loss of business, or worse, they should withdraw the statement immediately.

She said: “I think it’s very sad that in this day and age that we still have businesses using that type of discriminatory language. We would ask the propitiator to re-think the type of language he’s using as he’s only going to lose business by making those types of statements in his sales pitch.

“My understanding is that to use any type of homophobic language in that context could be seen to be illegal, so unless he wants the police to be investigating him for homophobic language then he should consider withdrawing the advert from his window.”

Manager of Inkzone Craig MacKinnon said: “It was harmless. It was the sign company that put it up as a joke and they just left it up.

“It wasn’t meant to offend anyone.

“I tattoo quite a lot of gay people and lesbians too, I get on with them all.

“I’ve told them to take it right down and I apologise to anyone who this has caused offence to.”

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “This is clearly inappropriate and offensive language to use to advertise any product. We will investigate the matter further.”