Gays protest word in hockey broadcasts

TORONTO, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- A Canadian gay rights group is complaining about the use of the word "pansification" in NHL shows by Canada's public broadcaster.

The Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere group based in Ottawa complained to the ombudsman for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. about the term used by two "Hockey Night in Canada" commentators in November and January.

The word is a derivative of "pansy" and was used to criticize calls for banning fighting in hockey, the Globe and Mail reported.

EGALE Executive Director Helen Kennedy told the newspaper the word was derogatory and didn't belong in public broadcasts. While it's first definition is as a flower, the dictionary also defines pansy as "a weak or effeminate man or boy, usually disparaging: a male homosexual."

"Words like pansification just further the stereotype and perpetuate the homophobic stereotype in our society," she said.

A spokesman for CBC Sports chief Scott Moore told the Globe commentators are free to make their own decisions whether to use the expression, and that neither commentator "intended to be a reflection on or offensive to gay people."