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Manchester United LGBTQ+ Says Offensive Chanting ISN'T Banter

posted 2 years ago by FootOfDavros (8146)
7 replies | jump to latest

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65695243

What's this all about? What's this "banter" singing that their fans might partake in against Chelsea and is deemed homophobic?

Rainbow Devils vice-chair Lindsay Parr said: "Banter doesn't exclude. Banter doesn't make people feel so uncomfortable that they can't attend games and don't want to be involved in football.

What are they signing which would make LGBTQ+ fans feel excluded?

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Chelsea fans are commonly referred to as 'rent boys'.

Rent boy, or rentboy, is a term that is used to describe a particular type of male prostitute. It refers primarily to young men (although its use extends to male prostitutes of all ages) who have sex with men.

[–] FootOfDavros (8146) 2 years ago

Thanks.

I still don't really get it though - is this LGBTQ+ group saying that male prostitute Manchester United fans would feel uncomfortable / excluded hearing that being sung at the game?

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

It's being used as an insult, haha you're a 'gay prostitute'.

Not to dissimilar from the early-00s and prior were if you didn't like something you called it 'gay'. It's the usage of homosexuality as a negative connotation that could make gay fans feel uncomfortable and unwelcome.

[–] FootOfDavros (8146) 2 years ago

Thanks. Still seems a bit off though - the thing you mention re saying something was "gay" in the past. That wasn't a slur. It wasn't homophobic. More just used to say something was funny. I don't believe anyone was really offended by that back then...

Didn't the Pet Shop Boys have a song called rent boys years ago as well? I guess that will be targeted soon enough if it hasn't been already.

[–] AndyKing1967 (38101) 2 years ago

The song was Rent. The PSB are openly gay (Pop Facts Andy).

[–] FootOfDavros (8146) 2 years ago

Ah, thanks - couldn't quite remember. But it was sung from the perspective of a rent boy wasn't it? Haven't heard for years now, must go and have a listen on the youtube...

[–] DeathbySnuSnu (1008) 2 years ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/chelseafc/comments/10365k8/what_is_the_chelsea_rent_boy_chant_and_why_is_it/
The term has homophobic connotations that are intimately connected with Chelsea’s queer history.
For those not familiar with English football, Chelsea fans have always been known to be the gayest and visiting gay people frequent the alleys around their stadium after games for 'Chelsea cottaging'.