Here’s a strange story. You might expect it in North Queensland, Alice Springs, or the untamed outback of Western Australia, but not in sophisticated Melbourne, recently voted the world’s most livable city.
Can’t say I’m all that outraged by it, other than thinking such a crass sign does damage to Australia’s already rough and ready image overseas. Watch this go viral now. I’ll wager it’ll be on Have I Got News For You this time next week.
What’s a “poofters drink” anyway? Babycham? Port & Lemon? Half of Shandy?
“Australian musician and Fitzroy bar owner Steve Miller has issued an apology following outrage from punters who were offended by a menu featured at his venue, Handsome Steve’s House of Refreshment, that read “no poofter drinks”. Miller, former guitarist of post-punk ’80s band The Moodists alongside Dave Graney, Clare Moore and Mick Turner, yesterday apologised for the sign on the bar’s Facebook page. “
“I unconditionally apologise for any offence I have caused,” Miller wrote in a statement. “
http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2015/10/26/melbourne-bar-owner-apologises-for-offensive-sign/
And here’s the sign:
http://i.imgur.com/le4j5Yi.png
He probably meant VB.
…or warm English beer
reading the article seems a lot less malicious tan at first thought.
Plenty of gays use that word and Afro americans use that other word.
I found the list of Geelong premierships more annoying.
I don’t suppose it was malicious for a second, just dumb.
The guy should know better, he’s a well-known musician and part of the Melbourne music scene.
As I said, it didn’t offend me, it just looks really bad.
should have known better for 7 years
Yeah, that’s true. Has the sign really been there for seven years with no complaints?
Just to add a touch more surrealism to the story, the bar owner’s name is Steve Miller. He’s a musician who fronts the Steve Miller Band
if it was Dave Graney’s pub I’d have been totally unsurprised.
I don’t get this – is he apologising to poofters, or what?
Good point
*WARNING – Obscure Zappa Joke Ahead! *
It wasn’t so much the sign people found offensive, but to make matters worse I hear he had the Zappa/Beeheart LP Bono Fury playing in the café, with the track Poofter’s Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead on repeat.
Thank you.
Shit – BONGO FURY I mean!
I like ‘Bono Fury’, though.
An upsie from me, too. Any chance of a sleeve job, Mr Area?
I’m still in ‘Spectre Bond Poster Meme Mode’, I’m afraid.
And who says Aussies don’t get irony?
If you follow the Herald Sun Twitter feed (in the link above) it leads to some really rabid homophobic right wing nutter comments about this. And they are DEFENDING the sign.
Neither Zappa nor Beefheart knew what the word meant when they recorded the song. Fact.
That’s true, Zappa just liked the sound of the word “poofter” after hearing it on a UK tour.
He also liked the sound of the Yorkshire town “Pudsey” and thought it sounded lewd enough to use in the lyrics of at least one song on 200 Motels. This formed part of the court case after Zappa sued the Albert Hall.
The word “poofter” crops up twice on the Bongo Fury album.
Beetheart uses it in The Man With the Woman Head
“The man with the woman head
Polynesian wallpaper made the face stand out,
a mixture of Oriental and early vaudeville jazz poofter”
My life expectancy is way too short to follow anything in The Herald Sun JC, but speaking as a Fitzroy resident I really don’t think it’s offensive. Granted the sort of fuckwit who’d type witless outrage on an internet link would claim it represents true Aussie values but such people are true hopeless cases anyway.
If, for example, Rikki Gervais had said it, it’d be seen as clever and funny.
True Gary. It’s not offensive of course, but it’s asking for trouble from both sides of the political divide, I feel.
There’s a scene in the (most excellent) Netflix series Bloodline in which our man Danny, on a heavy-duty coke and tequila bender, takes it upon himself to mock a huge guy in a Navy t- shirt for ordering “two rum punches”. It doesn’t end well.
Danny is played by the magnificent-in-everything Ben Mendelsohn. Ben Mendelsohn is from Melbourne.
The best scene in the entire series:
“Are you in the navy?”
No spoilers, please, shipmates! Just finished E01. Bewilderingly brilliant.
Nah. Gervais has never said anything clever and funny. He’s a prat.
Here’s an even stranger story.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-26/stocco-fugitives-could-have-stockpiled-supplies-police-say/6884330
It’s a story about a father and son duo who’ve been giving Police the slip over the last week.
The Aussie media has gone into meltdown, providing regular updates on possible sightings as they traverse, ‘like Bushrangers’ across the NSW/Victorian border.
Seriel killers? Bank robbers? Bloodthirsty desperados?
Nah, itinerant workers who’ve stolen from Farmers and cut holes in fences.
Oh, in an apparent escalation, have ‘allegedly’ shot at Police.
Now, in the time honoured style of ‘when the legend becomes fact, print the legend’, even the reasonably respected ABC has claimed the 2 fugitives are wanted for ‘a strong of violent offences.’
Personally I hope they get away with it.
Yes, their latest outrage? They filled up with petrol and drove off WITHOUT PAYING.
I bet they don’t wear seatbelts either. And smoke and everything.
err shooting at a copper with a 308 rifle?
‘Allegedly’, I think you’ll find.
well yes, but since they remain on the lam the allegation can hardly be tested in a court of law.
On the lam? It’s some bloke and his dad, not Bonnie and Clyde.
just a descriptive flourish GJ
point remains
you say alleged
I say they’re not hanging around to argue their innocence.
Well they probably don’t have the same faith in the Australian criminal justice system as you clearly do JW.
And neither do I.
Last time I heard the word “Lam” (or is it “Lamb”?) was in the Dylan song Wanted Man (performed by Johnny Cash)
If you ever see me coming and if you know who I am
Don’t you breathe it to nobody ’cause you know I’m on the lam
Wanted man by Lucy Watson,
Wanted man by Jeannie Brown
Wanted man by Nellie Johnson,
Wanted man in this next town
and also performed rather excellently by nick Cave
https://youtu.be/NivAU_Jsvdo
fraud theft, and arson ,million bucks worth of farm equipment the latter
ain’t no loaf of bread
to pursue the theme- if it had been me taking the romantic bushranger line you’d be saying its the convict streak.
Indeed I would not. And anyway, as I’m sure you know, having genuine convict ancestry is a badge of honour in present day Australia.
And I’m certainly not taking the romantic bushranger line. I’m taking the ‘a relatively small scale story that’s been bigged up by a media that doesn’t have anything better’ line.
Except the real story is the Police of 2 states being given the absolute runaround by a latter day Steptoe and Son.
The ‘allegation’ about the gun occurred some time after the Police bulletins about how dangerous they could be first appeared.
Now call me suspicious but that seems a tad cosy in the circumstances.
Since then however, the NSW/VIC Police have been doing their best Keystone Cops impersonation.
Where will they turn up next?
I’m guessing a pub in Fitzroy.
well make sure you buy them a pot.
I agree ,they’ve been on the run(that word ok ?) on the run for 8 years and now they are interviewing people in towns far and wide about whether they are in fear. Ridiculous.
Part of me says good on em but I doubt the farmer who had his million bucks worth of farm equipment burned will not think so.
Convicts -badge of honour.Yes and no. I went to Port Arthur, admittedly where the the inmates were supposed to be pretty heavy but the crimes were gruesome.
A lot of that convict pride is defensive bluster in response to the down the nose attitude we’ve had to cop historically.
I think the farmer will be loving it. I don’t fancy the insurance companies chances in turning down that claim when it comes in.
a lot of assumptions
didn’t really brandish,threaten shoot with a gun
just a bit of harmless pilfering
the farmer would have got a big pay out.
“Without data, all we have is assumptions”.
And a bit of healthy cynicism helps.
“the down the nose attitude we’ve had to cop historically”
I like to think I’m doing my bit to keep that tradition alive, Wellsie!
Now with these abbreviated appelations HP you’ve missed the obvious variant -to end all names with an “O”as evidenced by the Aussie cricket team
Johnno, Clarko, and the awkward Ryano.
As to the matter at hand, yes there are occasions when the British paternalism is evidenced at the Afterword but on this occasion it was a more general observation and an historical one too. That whole Barry McKenzie thing of the 60s/ 70s was a defensive response.
Yes, Wellsie is the Brit way, cf Cookie, Vaughnie, etc. Warnie being the exception that proves the rule (possibly).
I like to apply it to greats of the past, eg Boycottie, Graveneyie, Closie, Hussainie, etc.
Giggsie. Roonie.
Except on a first name A proliferates. Gazza, Bazza, Jezza etc…
Personally I like it.
Hell, they’re not even Colton Moore:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jul/14/barefoot-bandit-generation-y-hero
To anyone interested, ie no-one here, the two fellows were apprehended this morning on a remote property upon which shortly after the police found the decomposed remains of the owner.
Mainstream media are having a field day.
Not such innocents aboard then (allegedly)
They certainly are and the fact there’s a body involved is helping them justify their overwhelming response to a the wooly tale of couple of bushies who lost the plot.
Except.
Last Monday morning, in a drive by shooting in Melbourne’s unlovely Northern suburbs, a father was killed and his 4 year old child seriously wounded.
Now, tell me this, why would the media prefer the Father and Son Fuckwit story to an outrageous homicide in a Melbourne street?
I’m just pleased to see one of those signs where the letters are pegged on, like you always used to get in the entrance of a hotel, noting what was on in the various conference rooms.
Meanwhile, it’s just another day for Queensland lowlife.
Local: Men dressed as Santa Claus and Spider-Man hold up service station
http://ab.co/1Gp04Ss
At least that’s a story.
How about this from The Daily Mail – worthless even by its snake’s belly standards.
An utter shite piece of non news.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3288889/Yob-stuns-bus-passengers-spreads-white-powder-ticket-snort-shouting-cocaine-f-ing-great.html
To pick just a few pieces of desperate padding –
‘It is alleged he then snorted the substance before turning around to his fellow passengers – including children and pensioners – and declaring: ‘This cocaine is f****** great!’
‘I couldn’t believe someone had the nerve to do that on a bus.
And my favourite:-
‘Any child could have mistaken the cocaine he dropped on the seat for sherbet’.
And how about the description of said yob:-
‘He is described as having black hair, stubble and a swollen face and wore a white hooded top with cigarette burns, a pair of black Adidas tracksuit bottoms and Lonsdale trainers’.
Good luck tracking down this Raffles.
Is that ‘non news’?
I’m not sure I’d have been too happy if I’d been on that bus.
I’d have been even less happy if, on coke, he’d started making music.
The only coke he’s ever been close to rots your teeth and turns copper green.
Just assure me that he didn’t start making music.
“A latter day Steptoe and son”! It’s always fun when the Australian AW contingent get their teeth into a topic.
I quite fancy a reboot of Steptoe set in the Outback. Music by Nick Cave (maybe he could even play Harold?). Fly in Andrew Jackson to direct. Failing that Tarantino.
Whose catchphrase was “You dirty old man”?
That’s right, it was Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter’s probation officer, rather
Don’t give up your day job shouting at pigeons, Johnny.
If I had access to an edit feature perhaps I could deliver a decent punch line!
Could it just be an ironic twist on the Python ‘Bruces’ sketch with its stereotypical Aussie bloke that the country has never really shaken off and maybe doesn’t want to?
I’m sure it was meant in a harmless, comedy way without a hint of malice or bigotry. But irony seldom comes across well in such circumstances
another example of no news is bad news.
I never knew he had a bar – might pop in now-seeif I can order a fluffy duck
what’s the odds plenty of people are thinking the same.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-mans-body-found-after-arrest-of-gino-and-mark-stocco-near-dunedoo-20151028-gkkswb.html
This just popped up on my Facebook timeline posted by Stephen Wakefield and Brendan McCleary who were customers in the Melbourne bar and part of the “walk-out” in protest over the “no poofter drinks” sign. Steve Miller is the bar owner.
This morning myself and Brendan McCleary met up with Steve Miller to discuss everything from the weekend and the incident itself.
The discussion was long, deep and admirable. Steve Miller apologised to the nth degree.
Understanding the residual and casual homophobia the LGBTQIA community still experiences to this very day is something that people (even our allies) don’t experience and sadly we still do. We get called Faggot, poofter, homo by strangers on the street, cars driving past, people that do not understand that its completely disgusting and intolerable. We all live in a bubble and surround ourselves with people that are like minded, smart, caring and ultimately family.
The joke that was on the menu at Handsome Steve’s House of Refreshment was taken down on Friday night and his apology was made on Saturday. Which was our goal and we’re more than happy to accept. The after effect was something of a wild beast and it has impacted more than us and more people than most us realise. It was never our intention to create a lynching mob and in fact we ask that you breathe and take in that sweet smell of success, the sign is down.
After spending time with Steve, one thing is clear. He’s punk rock! He also is very supportive and he listens. After talking and laughing and even crying we are all on the very same page. Steve is a completely humble and reasonable person and we are going to meet up for beers over the weekend, which I open this invite to everyone. There will be no argument, no fights but laughter, beers and rock’n’roll.
For anyone that is experiencing any effects of homophobia can actually contact the National LGBTI Health Alliance. They have a very helpful website http://lgbtihealth.org.au/ which I have just found and its extremely useful.
I also would like to thank everyone for their support and also the encouraging words. I’d also like to thank Erykah Dunville for linking Steve, Brendan and myself up, funnily you were the only one to try and get us all together. Thats really kind of you to help facilitate this conversation. I’d also like to thank Ariel Valentine for your supports and contacts, pedestrian.tv and Alasdair Duncan for contacting us and taking the time to have a proper conversation. Im now being called a legend which is weird, does that get me a discount on coffees anywhere?
‘After talking and laughing and even crying..’. Ye Gods, what the fuck is happening in Oz? Fucking …..
Personally, I blame mikethep.
Not me Bruce, I had to look up LGBTQIA. Not sure where you were going with that ‘Fucking…’ though.
I hope there was hugging. Can’t get enough hugging. Hugging and crying. Crying and hugging. Anyone want a hug? And a cry? I want a hug. A great big boo-hoo baby hug and blubby cry. That’s what Brits do now, on TV. I know because I’ve seen them. Crying and hugging. Can’t get enough of it.
Bloody SNAGs and their perfectly reasonable lack-of-an-actual-conflict resolution. This country is going to the dingoes I tell you.