James J sparks Celebrity Big Brother homophobia row over ‘soft boy' comment

[Epic.]

http://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/james-jordan-sparks-celebrity-big-brother-homophobia-row-over-austin-armacost-soft-boys-comment-a3437991.html

Celebrity Big Brother’s James Jordan found himself at the centre of a homophobia row after he referred to fellow housemate Austin Armacost as a “soft boy”.

Jordan, 38, was warning the US reality TV star to not antagonise him because he would get hurt if he took on the “real boys” following an argument over Armascost’s volatile behaviour in the house.

Jordan said: “Don't start because you don't want me to hurt you. If you want to start playing with the rough boys you're going to get hurt.

“You're used to playing with little soft boys. Don't play with real boys.”

Armacost replied: “Don't play with the dancer, yeah, because the dancer's the rough boy.”

His comments sparked fury among some viewers who branded him “homophobic” while others called for him to be removed.

One viewer tweeted: “Nasty energy in the house. Austin was being bullied and antagonised. Low homophobic remarks by James (sic).”

Another posted: “JamesJ saying that Austin isn't used to playing with "real" boys and only "soft" boys... homophobe much you p**** (sic).”

[Denver]

Eject him

[Rob!]

:facepalm:

[chuff me dizzy]

http://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/james-jordan-sparks-celebrity-big-brother-homophobia-row-over-austin-armacost-soft-boys-comment-a3437991.html

Celebrity Big Brother’s James Jordan found himself at the centre of a homophobia row after he referred to fellow housemate Austin Armacost as a “soft boy”.

Jordan, 38, was warning the US reality TV star to not antagonise him because he would get hurt if he took on the “real boys” following an argument over Armascost’s volatile behaviour in the house.

Jordan said: “Don't start because you don't want me to hurt you. If you want to start playing with the rough boys you're going to get hurt.

“You're used to playing with little soft boys. Don't play with real boys.”

Armacost replied: “Don't play with the dancer, yeah, because the dancer's the rough boy.”

His comments sparked fury among some viewers who branded him “homophobic” while others called for him to be removed.

One viewer tweeted: “Nasty energy in the house. Austin was being bullied and antagonised. Low homophobic remarks by James (sic).”

Another posted: “JamesJ saying that Austin isn't used to playing with "real" boys and only "soft" boys... homophobe much you p**** (sic).”

What a load of utter bollox, my husband calls a lot of fellas "Soft boy" does that make him a homophobe ? people need to get a bloody grip

[Epic.]

I don't find this homophobic in the slightest http://cdn.thisisbigbrother.com/customavatars/avatar98380_3.gif

[Vicky.]

Austin sexually assaults James, nothing mentioned yet one comment (that is slightly questionable at best) is what makes the news...

[Epic.]

Telling someone they're a 'soft boy' has NOTHING homophobic about it unless you made it clear it was. Calling someone that is just meant to insinuate their not tough and they shouldn't handle people tougher than them. In fact people saying it's homophobic in the first place is overthinking homosexuality highly.

[Vicky.]

The writer of this article and the complainers are the actual homophobes if you think about it...immediately assuming that 'soft boys' means gay and 'real' means straight :whistle:

[chuff me dizzy]

Austin sexually assaults James, nothing mentioned yet one comment (that is slightly questionable at best) is what makes the news...

Makes me sick ,Oh to go back to UK before the PC **** took over

[Epic.]

The write of this article and the complainers are the actual homophobes if you think about it...immediately assuming that 'soft boys' means gay and 'real' means straight :whistle:

Firmly agree http://cdn.thisisbigbrother.com/customavatars/avatar98380_3.gif

[user104658]

Telling someone they're a 'soft boy' has NOTHING homophobic about it unless you made it clear it was. Calling someone that is just meant to insinuate their not tough and they shouldn't handle people tougher than them. In fact people saying it's homophobic in the first place is overthinking homosexuality highly.

Exactly. Like I said on the other thread - it's sort of prejudiced to assume that he WAS talking about the fact that Austin is gay. It didn't cross my mind for a second. Just that someone who clearly IS a bit soft probably shouldn't pick fights with people who aren't... gay/straight/whatever doesn't really come into it at all.

[Kazanne]

:joker::joker::joker: The big I am has spoken,get the 'hard' boy out:laugh:

[Tom4784]

Could be considered questionable but then it's also quite a reach.

[lewis111]

This things Austin was saying to James about dancing and stuff were so much worse than this ffs

[y.winter]

What's homophobic about that?! Oh wow, can people get a life for once and for all?

[Epic.]

This things Austin was saying to James about dancing and stuff were so much worse than this ffs

I agree. He demoralized people who have dancing as a profession, thinking anyone who's a dancer isn't tough at all. That's way more questionable than calling the average person a soft boy, something COMMONLY said by people

[Jake.]

pathetic

[Gusto Brunt]

The writer of this article and the complainers are the actual homophobes if you think about it...immediately assuming that 'soft boys' means gay and 'real' means straight :whistle:

Yeah since when did soft boy mean gay???:shrug:

[Vicky.]

I commented on the article with

No mention of Austin sexually assaulting James by shoving his finger up his backside then? I am shocked.

James' comments were mildly questionable at best, and tbh anyone who immediately links 'soft and hard boys' with 'gay and straight' might be a bit prejudiced themselves.

It is 'awaiting moderation' so I doubt it will be published...

[Jamie89]

They were both accusing each other of not being 'real men' though, I think they were both just trying to show off and appear more masculine than the other, but I don't think there was any suggestion that sexuality was a factor in any of it. Austin was making fun of James' masculinity so I don't see why James shouldn't be able to retaliate (Austin being gay shouldn't protect him from that). It would have been different if sexuality was directly mentioned or inferred but from what I saw, it wasn't.

ETA, if anything, Austin should be getting strongly criticized for suggesting that dancers aren't 'real men', highly offensive to all the professional and highly skilled *and masculine* male dancers out there, and very backwards thinking of him.

[Vicky.]

Wow. Comments rejected even leaving out the sexual assault part. What on earth is wrong with

'James' comments were mildly questionable at best, and tbh anyone who immediately links 'soft and hard boys' with 'gay and straight' might be a bit prejudiced themselves. '?

[Drew.]

I would have thought that soft boy was more to do with Austin being more mentally weak by crying and having meltdowns all the time

[Crimson Dynamo]

:facepalm:

[RichardG]

that was one of the least controversial comments of the episode, i can't imagine studying in university for three years to become a journalist only to end up stuck in a job writing nonsense like this :omgno:

[Ant.]

but anyway Austin saying Dancers aren't 'hard' was waaay more insulting. Literally nothing about 'soft boy' is homophobic, not once did I stop and think 'James J is discriminating against me'... it's more bc Austin always backs away from fights with the bigger characters... making him soft

[Niamh.]

Austin sexually assaults James, nothing mentioned yet one comment (that is slightly questionable at best) is what makes the news...
I know right :/

[the-gaffer]

some people are just in a desperate need to always be offended, nothing James said was remotely homophobic, anyone finding homophobia in those comments are trying to hard to look like some kind of protector of justice.

I don't particularly like James, in fact I'd struggle to like any of them this year but it's quite clear what James meant, Austin only goes after what he percieves to be soft touches, he doesn't go after a big gun, he's made an enemy of someone who's more than capable of not only matching him but besting him too and he just can't handle it, hence the soft boys comment.

Homophobic, honestly, some people are just so utterly ridiculous.

[Withano]

but anyway Austin saying Dancers aren't 'hard' was waaay more insulting. Literally nothing about 'soft boy' is homophobic, not once did I stop and think 'James J is discriminating against me'... it's more bc Austin always backs away from fights with the bigger characters... making him soft

My initial thought too, although im not insulted by either.

[Vicky.]

Oh joy, seems the sun is running with this now. And a bunch of people are posting it without even knowing the context and shouting for James' removal, just because they fancy Austin :laugh:

[azi]

Not really homophobic. But I still hate him get him out.

[Papillon]

but anyway Austin saying Dancers aren't 'hard' was waaay more insulting. Literally nothing about 'soft boy' is homophobic, not once did I stop and think 'James J is discriminating against me'... it's more bc Austin always backs away from fights with the bigger characters... making him soft

plus 99% of the time Austin targets only females, he doesn't have the guts to square up to the likes of James Jordan.
Austin is such a pussy

[emptynest]

What a load of utter bollox, my husband calls a lot of fellas "Soft boy" does that make him a homophobe ? people need to get a bloody grip


Thank goodness someone talking sense

[Black Dagger]

I'm not one for "URGH PC CROWD URGH URGH URGH" because it's just for racists wanting to be racist. But this is generally a bit ridiculous

[south12345]

And this coming from one of the campest men in there......

[Northern Monkey]

'His comments sparked fury among some viewers who branded him “homophobic” while others called for him to be removed.'

Some people are fecking idiots.
So attempted anal finger rape is fine but saying 'soft boy' deserves ejection :facepalm:x1000

Blokes are always calling each other 'soft lad' 'soft bastard' 'soft boy' etc etc no matter their sexuality.

[Northern Monkey]

What a load of utter bollox, my husband calls a lot of fellas "Soft boy" does that make him a homophobe ? people need to get a bloody grip
The world's gone nuts

[Niamh.]

'His comments sparked fury among some viewers who branded him “homophobic” while others called for him to be removed.'

Some people are fecking idiots.
So attempted anal finger rape is fine but saying 'soft boy' deserves ejection :facepalm:x1000

Blokes are always calling each other 'soft lad' 'soft bastard' 'soft boy' etc etc no matter their sexuality.

Yeah I would associate "soft" as being over sensitive or emotional, nothing at all to do with sexuality

[Northern Monkey]

Yeah I would associate "soft" as being over sensitive or emotional, nothing at all to do with sexuality

Exactly.The amount of times i've heard 'come on ya soft twat' etc to straight blokes.

[Vicky.]

Oooh my comment got published.

[ebandit]

.......so being 'reet ard'......................is desirable?

Mark L

[user104658]

Oooh my comment got published.

Perched for the slander case :worry:

[chuff me dizzy]

Exactly.The amount of times i've heard 'come on ya soft twat' etc to straight blokes.

Northern people have a sense of humour ,thank God I'm northern

[chuff me dizzy]

Oooh my comment got published.

What did you say ?

[Vicky.]

Perched for the slander case :worry:

I am awaiting a facebook PM from Austins Lawyers as we speak :D

[jennyjuniper]

I can't stand James Jordan and usually grab any opportunity to bash him, but even I'm not desperate enough to consider calling someone 'soft' is a homophobic slur.

[vesavius]

You're a homophobe! You're a homophobe! Everyone's a homophobe!

FGS, the overuse of extreme words like this and racist and bully and whatever else only serves to cheapen them and reduce their meaning. People need to stop barking at shadows.

[vesavius]

Austin sexually assaults James, nothing mentioned yet one comment (that is slightly questionable at best) is what makes the news...

Have to agree with this in full.

[Lostie!]

Not really homophobic. But I still hate him get him out.

:joker: Tbh

[Ashley.]

Austin's comment about James being a dancer (and thus "soft") is just as bad if not worse so I don't really understand why James is being painted as public enemy but that's just my opinion.

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

And yet he's 3rd fave to win. Stacey said gay boy and **** hit the fan

[Jack_]

I actually thought Austin's comment about dancers not being 'real men' or something could've been construed as more homophobic (not that it was) than anything James said. I didn't even think anything of this tbh

In actuality most of these insults have nothing to do with homosexuality and are in fact about stereotypical notions of masculinity

[MrWong]

'Soft boy' could easily be referring to Austin crying constantly.