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Latest NewsThe Leprosy Mission Scotland have challenged Aardman Animations over their depiction of leprosy. Extra events and an extra guest will be a part of our preparations for, and celebrations of, World Leprosy Day. Upcoming EventsWorld Leprosy Day and tour New On This SiteSign up to receive regular prayer requests by text message. Our system for sending out news and prayer emails has had a huge upgrade. Why not sign up to receive regular updates about our work. |
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TLMS Fires Back At Prejudicial Pirates
The Leprosy Mission Scotland has joined other leprosy organisations in speaking out against the trailer for a new animated film that portrays those affected by the disease for humourous effect.
The trailer promoting Aardman’s ‘The Pirates! – Adventures with scientists’, which is due for release in March this year, combines an astonishing insensitivity with a lack of awareness of disability issues when it shows an arm falling off a character on a so-called ‘leper boat’.
In the scene, the ‘Pirate Captain’, voiced by Hugh Grant, arrives on the ship demanding gold. He is told by a crewmember that there is none on board because “this is a leper boat”, at which point the man’s arm falls off. This is, of course, meant to be comical.
Not only is the use of the word "leper" deeply offensive, the symptoms portrayed are simply untrue, furthering the misunderstanding and prejudice facing people affected by leprosy.
The Leprosy Mission Scotland has pressed for years for the use of the word "leper" to be stopped.
We have asked Aardman to remove this scene before the film is released to avoid further discrimination of people affected by leprosy.
If you agree with us you can contact Aardman yourself and ask them to reconsider their attitude towards people affected by leprosy.
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