B.C. human rights case pits comedian against lesbian heckler

[LostInAnomie]

Brian Hutchinson, National Post
Published: Sunday, March 28, 2010

VANCOUVER -- A B.C. Human Rights Tribunal hearing that pits an offended lesbian heckler against a foul-mouthed stand-up comic begins on Monday, but in the absence of a key player -- the accused.

<snip>

The hearing is scheduled to last four days. "I'm required to testify in person but I won't be there ," Mr. Earle said in an interview. "This whole thing has already cost me at least $20,000. I'm saying, ‘Come on people, enough is enough. This is ridiculous. Get a grip.' "

<snip>

On the night in question, Mr. Earle was performing as master of ceremonies at Zesty's. There were only a few patrons in attendance. Ms. Pardy and her same-sex partner "were up close and they wouldn't be quiet," recalled Mr. Earle. "I asked them to be quiet a couple of times." In response, Ms. Pardy and her partner raised their voices and made rude hand gestures at him, he said. The heckling continued when he introduced another comedian to stage.

<snip>

At the end of that act, Mr. Earle took the microphone and launched a verbal attack on the two women. According to Mr. Earle, he called Ms. Pardy a "fat, ugly lesbian," or words to that effect, and suggested that someone in the audience "shove a d--- in her mouth to shut her up."

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=2737220

There's much more to the story including the women throwing drinks at the comedian and him breaking their sunglasses.

[Lerkfish]

1. I'm of two minds.. OBVIOUSLY his comments were out of line, but

I hate hecklers unless they're actually contributiing to the comedy

those aren't equivalent offenses, btw.

[LostInAnomie]

2. I'm split as well.

His comments were very bad, but in a comedy club, hecklers get treated in the harshest manner possible.

The woman's throwing of the drink was crossing the line big time too.

[old mark]

3. Sounds like several assholes in the wrong place and time - You don't have to be straight

to be a jerk.


mark

[JBoy]

4. Sorry, you heckle a comedian and the gloves come off.

I'm curious if the venue provided any warnings in advance about "adult" content. The clubs I've been to usually do that, so nobody asks for their money back because they were offended.

Will be interesting to see what the court decides on jurisdiction for the Tribunal.