Re: Andrew Holota editorial, ” ‘Offensive’ policy a futile exercise” (Abbotsford News, Jan. 29)
In your editorial you take me to task for my Jan. 21 delegation before city council.
On that date I challenged council to stop renting the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre to the “Lingerie Football League.”
In my delegation speech I mentioned my personal (Christian) morality in only one sentence.
The broader argument against the LFL is based on a rather diverse spectrum of opinion against it. For example:
• Australian Sport Minister Kate Lundy called it a “cheap, degrading perv.”
• American feminist Courtney Martin wrote, “This is objectification at its most pernicious.”
• Ontario sports writer Andrew Bucholtz declared, “. . . attempts to market this as wholesome, sporting entertainment are ludicrous.”
• Even our own mayor Banman stated: “I don’t care for it. I think it’s sleazy.” And other Abbotsford council members have labeled it as “disgusting” and “demeaning to women.” “It isn’t good football,” they say, and “I wouldn’t go to it myself.”
• Oklahoma City mayor Nick Corbett, on opposing the LFL coming into his area, said: “There are too many problems to list. There are so many that I don’t want to gravitate to just one.”
• Our neighbouring Langley Events Centre turned down the LFL in early 2012, saying: “It was a quick conversation. It’s not something we feel is a good fit for the facility at this time.” Likewise, Rogers Arena in Vancouver also decided against the LFL.
All I’ve done is to call on our City Council to do what they know is right: stop allowing this pernicious, harmful, degrading sleaze into public buildings under the City’s control.
The mayor wants Abbotsford to be a “city of character,” and for our children to learn about respect, responsibility, and courage.
What I’m suggesting is that the LFL rental issue would be a good place to start that lesson.
Richard Peachey
