And those gay rights groups are going to be rather busy in the coming months, given that the people behind Gaydar Radio, a digital station aimed at the gay community, have asked for an "urgent meeting" with OfCom to discuss the BBC's defence of Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles' use of the word "gay" to mean "rubbish" on his breakfast show.
As previously reported, Moyles was criticised for describing a rubbish ringtone as being "gay" on his radio show earlier this year, but BBC bosses said that, while the expression could cause offence, that it "met the required editorial standards and did not demonstrate homophobia", adding that "in broadcasting to an audience of predominantly young people, it was to be expected that Chris Moyles would use expressions and words which the listeners used themselves".
Gaydar say they think that in that ruling the BBC has "given a large endorsement to bigotry". They are also rather pissed off that OfCom did not consult them in a recent consultation in the radio sector on the use of offence language on air.
In an open letter to OfCom Standards Case Manager Fiona Lennox, Gaydar's Commercial Director, David Muniz, says: "By sanctioning the derogatory use of the word "gay" [in this way] the BBC has endorsed not only the negative use of the word gay but, more insidious, they have promoted the acceptance of a bigoted and harmful definition of gay. Radio does have a social obligation and should not endorse homophobia, bigotry and the persecution of others through language".
He adds that the BBC's argument that Moyles' use of the word was "just a reflection of how the word is being used on the street and playgrounds of the UK" is flawed, saying that in using the word in that way Moyles has provided legitimacy for homophobia among young people. That is a viewpoint shared by John Quinn, director of children's protection group Beat Bullying, who the Guardian quote as saying: "The BBC have greenlighted the use of "gay" as a derogatory word. Therefore, the BBC have given credence to the idea that being gay is bad. This low-level homophobia is not acceptable and is outrageous considering how homophobic bullying destroys lives."
Muniz is hoping to secure a formal meeting with OfCom to discuss the matter further.