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LSE launches inquiry into misogynist and homophobic rugby club leaflet LSE launches inquiry into misogynist and homophobic rugby club leaflet
(about 9 hours later)
One of the UK’s leading universities, the London School of Economics, has launched an inquiry after its student rugby club was forced to issue an apology for a freshers’ leaflet in which it described women as “mingers”, “trollops” and “slags”. One of the UK’s leading universities, the London School of Economics, has launched an inquiry after its men’s student rugby club was forced to issue an apology for a freshers’ leaflet in which it described women as “mingers”, “trollops” and “slags”.
The leaflet, which was distributed at the freshers’ fair on Friday, also joked about not tolerating “outright homosexual debauchery” in its initiations and encouraged would-be members to do their best to “pull a sloppy bird”. It dubbed female students who play sports as “beast-like women who play sport just so they can come out with us on Wednesdays”. The leaflet, distributed at the freshers’ fair on Friday, also joked about not tolerating “outright homosexual debauchery” in its initiations and encouraged would-be members to do their best to “pull a sloppy bird”. It dubbed female students who play sport as “beast-like women who play sport just so they can come out with us on Wednesdays”.
The student union and the university are investigating after the seven-page leaflet caused uproar among fellow students, who took to Twitter to register their outrage. “Disgusted with leaflets that LSE rugby club were handing out at freshers’ fair. Can’t believe I study with such sexist, homophobic, snobs,” wrote one student called Emily. The student union and the university are investigating after the seven-page leaflet caused uproar among fellow students, who took to Twitter to register their outrage. “Disgusted with leaflets that LSE rugby club were handing out at freshers’ fair. Can’t believe I study with such sexist, homophobic snobs,” wrote one student called Emily.
The leaflets, which have been confiscated, also included derogatory references to “Poly” students – meaning students from former polytechnics which have been converted into universities. “Some of you will have heard endless tales of what goes on at initiation ceremonies in every university, club and country and you’re right to be thoroughly excited. But we assure you that we do not tolerate Poly activities that involve faeces, genitalia, and outright homosexual debauchery,” the leaflet read.The leaflets, which have been confiscated, also included derogatory references to “Poly” students – meaning students from former polytechnics which have been converted into universities. “Some of you will have heard endless tales of what goes on at initiation ceremonies in every university, club and country and you’re right to be thoroughly excited. But we assure you that we do not tolerate Poly activities that involve faeces, genitalia, and outright homosexual debauchery,” the leaflet read.
Part of leaflet apparently handed out today by the #LSE men's rugby club to freshers. Way to make women feel welcome. pic.twitter.com/UxwzXWpAjJPart of leaflet apparently handed out today by the #LSE men's rugby club to freshers. Way to make women feel welcome. pic.twitter.com/UxwzXWpAjJ
There are further references to “the perfect hedonistic cocktail of barbarism, beverages and women” while and another section suggested a committee member embodied everything the club holds dear: “debauchery, hedonism and misogyny”.There are further references to “the perfect hedonistic cocktail of barbarism, beverages and women” while and another section suggested a committee member embodied everything the club holds dear: “debauchery, hedonism and misogyny”.
The men’s rugby club has issued an apology, and says it is organising a workshop for its members, who it says “have a lot to learn about the pernicious effects of ‘banter’”.The men’s rugby club has issued an apology, and says it is organising a workshop for its members, who it says “have a lot to learn about the pernicious effects of ‘banter’”.
In a statement posted on Beaver Online – the LSE’s student newspaper – a spokesman said of the leaflet: “It contained inexcusably offensive and stigmatising language and we would like to make it clear that this absolutely does not reflect the views and values of our club.In a statement posted on Beaver Online – the LSE’s student newspaper – a spokesman said of the leaflet: “It contained inexcusably offensive and stigmatising language and we would like to make it clear that this absolutely does not reflect the views and values of our club.
“LSE men’s rugby does not tolerate misogyny, racism, homophobia or prejudice of any description and the club remains committed to the LSE’s equal opportunities policy. Clearly, on this occasion we not only failed ourselves, but the university, which we are so proud to represent.“LSE men’s rugby does not tolerate misogyny, racism, homophobia or prejudice of any description and the club remains committed to the LSE’s equal opportunities policy. Clearly, on this occasion we not only failed ourselves, but the university, which we are so proud to represent.
“We take full responsibility for what has happened and it has highlighted the need for any previously used club literature to be properly scrutinised before being reproduced. We want our club to be a safe and welcoming environment for all people – this is why we actively encourage social members.“We take full responsibility for what has happened and it has highlighted the need for any previously used club literature to be properly scrutinised before being reproduced. We want our club to be a safe and welcoming environment for all people – this is why we actively encourage social members.
@lsesu - Disgusted by this phamplet distributed by @lse_au Men's Rugby Club. Rife with #misogyny and #Homophobia! pic.twitter.com/KiztMBwDe1@lsesu - Disgusted by this phamplet distributed by @lse_au Men's Rugby Club. Rife with #misogyny and #Homophobia! pic.twitter.com/KiztMBwDe1
“We can see that the language used in that leaflet must have alienated many potential members and we are ashamed and saddened by that.“We can see that the language used in that leaflet must have alienated many potential members and we are ashamed and saddened by that.
“The executive committee will cooperate fully with the student union to ensure such behaviour does not take place in the future. As a club, we will be taking steps to ensure that something like this cannot happen again. We have a lot to learn about the pernicious effects of ‘banter’ and we are organising a workshop for all our members.” “The executive committee will cooperate fully with the student union to ensure such behaviour does not take place in the future. As a club, we will be taking steps to ensure that something like this cannot happen again. We have a lot to learn about the pernicious effects of ‘banter’ and we are organising a workshop for all our members.”It is not the first time the LSE student union has hit the headlines. In January 2012, the university investigated allegations that a Nazi-themed drinking game led to a brawl in which a Jewish student’s nose was broken during a skiing trip to Val d’Isère. The trip had been organised by the student union and was attended by 150 students from the university’s athletics union.
It is not the first time the LSE student union has hit the headlines. In January 2012, the university investigated allegations that a Nazi-themed drinking game led to a brawl in which a Jewish student’s nose was broken during a skiing trip to Val d’Isère. The trip had been organised by the student union and was attended by 150 students from the university’s athletics union.
Nona Buckley-Irvine, president of the LSE student union, said of the leaflet: “Everyone is completely appalled. On Friday we were alerted at the student union [that] there were these leaflets with misogynist and homophobic content. A full disciplinary investigation is under way.”Nona Buckley-Irvine, president of the LSE student union, said of the leaflet: “Everyone is completely appalled. On Friday we were alerted at the student union [that] there were these leaflets with misogynist and homophobic content. A full disciplinary investigation is under way.”
She said concerns about misogyny and non-inclusive behaviour had been raised in its annual survey, particularly regarding some sports clubs.She said concerns about misogyny and non-inclusive behaviour had been raised in its annual survey, particularly regarding some sports clubs.
Disgusted with leaflets that LSE rugby club were handing out at freshers fair. Can't believe I study with such sexist, homophobic, snobs.Disgusted with leaflets that LSE rugby club were handing out at freshers fair. Can't believe I study with such sexist, homophobic, snobs.
Speaking about the latest incident, she said: “We are meeting with the individuals involved as part of our fact-finding investigation. We were incredibly disappointed this happened. We promote equal opportunities and try to protect our students from discrimination and harassment. We are looking into how we can better support our clubs and societies to be inclusive.”Speaking about the latest incident, she said: “We are meeting with the individuals involved as part of our fact-finding investigation. We were incredibly disappointed this happened. We promote equal opportunities and try to protect our students from discrimination and harassment. We are looking into how we can better support our clubs and societies to be inclusive.”
A women-only meeting is being held on Tuesday at the student union to enable female students to talk about the issues raised by the incident, and broader concerns affecting women at the LSE. A women-only meeting is being held on Tuesday at the student union to enable female students to talk about the incident and broader concerns affecting women at the LSE.There is growing concern across university campuses around the country about a culture of misogyny and discrimination – known as “lad culture”. A recent National Union of Students (NUS) survey showed more than a third of female students have been subjected to unwanted or inappropriate groping or touching.
There is growing concern across university campuses around the country about a culture of misogyny and discrimination – known as “lad culture”. A recent National Union of Students (NUS) survey showed more than a third of female students have been subjected to unwanted or inappropriate groping or touching.
Buckley-Irvine agreed it was also a problem at the LSE. “Personally I think we have gone backwards in progress on tackling misogyny. It’s very clear there are issues on campuses. It is being taken more seriously now. It’s incidents like this that are helping to highlight it.”Buckley-Irvine agreed it was also a problem at the LSE. “Personally I think we have gone backwards in progress on tackling misogyny. It’s very clear there are issues on campuses. It is being taken more seriously now. It’s incidents like this that are helping to highlight it.”
The NUS has launched sexual consent workshops, which are being piloted at a limited number of student unions; Oxford and Cambridge universities have also launched compulsory sexual consent workshops for freshers this year.The NUS has launched sexual consent workshops, which are being piloted at a limited number of student unions; Oxford and Cambridge universities have also launched compulsory sexual consent workshops for freshers this year.
ENDS