UK university asks comedians to sign 'safe space' contract

Comedians have been asked not to be "racist, sexist, classist, ageist, homophobic or Islamophobic" at a UK gig.

Comedian Konstantin Kisin was asked to sign the agreement.

Comedian Konstantin Kisin was asked to sign the agreement. Source: Facebook - Konstantin Kisin

Russian-British comedian Konstantin Kisin has slammed a UK university student club's demand that he sign a "behavioural agreement form" before performing at an upcoming show. 

The UNICEF on Campus student club at the University of London asked five comedians booked to perform at a January event to agree to "our no tolerance policy with regards to racism, sexism, classism, ageism, ableism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia or anti-religion or anti-atheism".

One of the comedians, Konstantin Kisin tweeted the correspondence on Monday.
"This comedy night … aims to provide a safe space for everyone to share and listen to comedy," it said.

"All topics must be presented in a way that is respectful and kind. It does not mean that these topics can not be discussed. But, it must be done in a respectful and non-abusive way."

Mr Kisin slammed the idea on Twitter, saying "the title of this 'contract' nearly made me puke".

The comedian later told media outlet PJ Media comedy is meant to push boundaries.

"Comedy isn't about being 'kind' and 'respectful' and the only people who get to decide what comedians talk about on stage are... comedians," Kisin told PJ Media. 

He said he initially couldn't believe the request from the college. 

"But then I remembered the Nimesh Patel story from last week and Jerry Seinfeld saying he doesn't play colleges and it started to make sense," he said.
Comedian Nimesh Patel performs on Late Night with Seth Myers.
Comedian Nimesh Patel performs on Late Night with Seth Myers. Source: Getty
Mr Patel, who was the first Indian-American writer for Saturday Night Live was booted offstage at a Columbia University event on Friday after making remarks that were seen as offensive to racial minorities and LGBTQI+ people

Referencing a black, gay friend, he told the audience that being gay isn't a choice because "no one looks in the mirror and thinks, 'this black thing is too easy, let me just add another thing to it'."

In a statement, the student group that organised the event said Mr Patel's comedy ran "counter to the inclusive spirit and integrity" of the night.

While Mr Seinfeld has said some college students are "so PC".

In a 2015 interview, he said, "they just want to use these words, 'that's racist', 'that's sexist', 'that's prejudiced'. They don't even know what they're talking about".


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