Enough, say sign critics

Petition over offensive ’humour’ still gaining signatures

THE fallout over a sign put out the front of a popular Launceston bar continues, with a councillor saying it was time to say “enough” to such offensive “humour” in modern society

Andrea Dawkins, who was voicing her personal opinion not the stance of the Launceston City Council as a whole, said she admired local resident Chloe Wilson for taking a stand.

A change.org petition Ms Wilson started which called for

an apology received more than 2500 signatures by Sunday afternoon.

“A council workshop on gender language is pending so we all understand the power of language and that we need to speak to all in the community,” Cr Dawkins said.

“Enough already. I get so frustrated that this kind of talk continues. Small conversations in the community can change minds and it is time a diverse range of voices had those conversations.”

Fellow councillor, and owner of Sporties Hotel, Nick Daking has apologised for the sign, saying it was removed the minute he heard about it.

The sign read, “cheers to birth control, the second best thing you can swallow to keep you from getting pregnant”, and was displayed outside. The sign was removed and replaced with another that said: “I hear there is a new app called ‘sense of humour’. Download it.”

The change.org petition said there was nothing funny about perpetuating a hotbed for sexist and ignorant attitudes towards women.

“There is no place for that sign and choice of words anywhere, let alone on the sidewalk of a popular strip within Launceston,” it said.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said while the incident related to the management of a privately owned business and was not a council matter, he had expressed his disappointment to Cr Daking.

“The sign was in poor taste and out of step with community expectations,” Cr van Zetten said.

“I’m pleased Cr Daking arranged for the sign’s removal as soon as he was made aware of it and I acknowledge his apology on social media.”