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Gay rights activists have spoken out against a Brisbane police officer's impromptu rap that has become a YouTube sensation.
A group of rowdy street rappers were on the verge of arrest after one delivered an offensive line referring to police as "makin' bacon" during a confrontation outside a Fortitude Valley nightclub on October 8.
However, Constable David Jay retaliated with a freestyle quip of his own, rhyming "homo" and "watching gay porn in slow-mo".
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He even used hand gestures to dramatise his rap. The crowd erupted in excitement and surrounded the officer, patting him on the head and urging him on.
The stunning confrontation was filmed and posted on YouTube and off-shoot site, Real Talk Battles.
Shelley Argent, national spokeswoman for PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), said the officer should be disciplined for using derogatory words.
"If that tape makes it to the police hierarchy, he should be hauled over the coals because there's absolutely no need for that," Ms Argent said. "He should certainly be spoken to about it and it's not acceptable language by anybody."
Queensland Association for Healthy Communities general manager Paul Martin said while the officer had done well to prevent a tense situation from escalating, his choice of words was appalling.
"What he's reached for is [words that] basically slam them by accusing them of being gay," Mr Martin said.
He said the situation was similar to that of swimmer Stephanie Rice, who was berated for a Twitter comment that offended the gay community.
"What should be concerning is that the first thing that's coming into people's minds when they want to slag somebody is to call them gay," Mr Martin said. "They go 'oh I didn't mean it, it wasn't about gay people' ... that's just not appropriate."
Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby spokesman Senthorun Raj said the officer's terminology would offend some in the gay community, although it should be considered in the context of the situation.
More than 20,000 people had watched the video this morning, with fans calling for more police officers to behave like Constable Jay.
Perhaps realising his quick wit had caused an even greater commotion, the video shows Constable Jay attempting to silence the crowd when he cries: "Listen up."
"We're okay if you guys want to rouse us up, okay, but just keep it quiet and don't cause too much of a ruckus," the young constable says. "You cool with that?"
The Queensland Police Service this morning praised the young officer, but said he had been spoken to about his choice of "politically incorrect" words.
"He has dealt with a challenging situation, establishing a rapport with the group," a police spokesman said. "He displayed good community policing skills and defused a difficult situation."
A group of rowdy street rappers were on the verge of arrest after one delivered an offensive line referring to police as "makin' bacon" during a confrontation outside a Fortitude Valley nightclub on October 8.
However, Constable David Jay retaliated with a freestyle quip of his own, rhyming "homo" and "watching gay porn in slow-mo".
Advertisement: Story continues below
He even used hand gestures to dramatise his rap. The crowd erupted in excitement and surrounded the officer, patting him on the head and urging him on.
The stunning confrontation was filmed and posted on YouTube and off-shoot site, Real Talk Battles.
Shelley Argent, national spokeswoman for PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), said the officer should be disciplined for using derogatory words.
"If that tape makes it to the police hierarchy, he should be hauled over the coals because there's absolutely no need for that," Ms Argent said. "He should certainly be spoken to about it and it's not acceptable language by anybody."
Queensland Association for Healthy Communities general manager Paul Martin said while the officer had done well to prevent a tense situation from escalating, his choice of words was appalling.
"What he's reached for is [words that] basically slam them by accusing them of being gay," Mr Martin said.
He said the situation was similar to that of swimmer Stephanie Rice, who was berated for a Twitter comment that offended the gay community.
"What should be concerning is that the first thing that's coming into people's minds when they want to slag somebody is to call them gay," Mr Martin said. "They go 'oh I didn't mean it, it wasn't about gay people' ... that's just not appropriate."
Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby spokesman Senthorun Raj said the officer's terminology would offend some in the gay community, although it should be considered in the context of the situation.
More than 20,000 people had watched the video this morning, with fans calling for more police officers to behave like Constable Jay.
Perhaps realising his quick wit had caused an even greater commotion, the video shows Constable Jay attempting to silence the crowd when he cries: "Listen up."
"We're okay if you guys want to rouse us up, okay, but just keep it quiet and don't cause too much of a ruckus," the young constable says. "You cool with that?"
The Queensland Police Service this morning praised the young officer, but said he had been spoken to about his choice of "politically incorrect" words.
"He has dealt with a challenging situation, establishing a rapport with the group," a police spokesman said. "He displayed good community policing skills and defused a difficult situation."
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