Canadian comic Guy Earle in human rights row
March 29, 2010 9:17am by Such Small Portions
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A Canadian comic has been embroiled in a human right row after being accused of being homophobic by a heckler.
Vancouver-based comic Guy Earle is set to appear in a Human Rights Tribunal on Monday after being accused of subjecting lesbian heckler Lorna Pardy to a tirade of homophobic and sexist comments during a show in May 2007.
In a case which could have ramifications across the Canadian comedy world, Pardy is accusing Earle of violating section 8 of the Human Rights Code, which is designed to address discrimination in the provision of a service
According to the The Vancouver Herald Devyn Cousineau, Pardy’s lawyer, is seeking $20,000 in damages after her client was the victim of discriminatory digs and sexually graphic language.
"This isn’t the case of a comedian standing on stage and saying ‘two lesbians walk into a bar.’ It’s the case of individuals in the audience being targeted and being subjected to slurs about their sex and sexual orientation," Cousineau said.
Earle has denied the charges – stating that he was responding to heckling and disruptive behaviour - though he has admitted that the exchanges were of a heated nature.
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