Comedian cancels gig after refusing to sign 'behavioral agreement' banning jokes about sexism, racism, classism and more

A comedian has backed out of a student charity event after being asked to sign an agreement that would prevent him from performing material about sensitive cultural topics like racism, ageism and homophobia — unless he found a way to make his jokes “respectful and kind.”

Konstantin Kisin, a Russian-born comedian living in London, had been invited by the UNICEF on Campus society at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) to do a set at a campus fundraiser on January 23. Kisin had initially agreed but changed his tune once the society emailed him a “Behavioral Agreement Form” with a no-tolerance policy on anything that might be deemed offensive by students.

The agreement, which the comedian shared Monday on Twitter, specifically requests Kisin put the kibosh on a dozen subjects that are cultural taboos, including “racism, sexism, classism, ageism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, xenophobia, Islamaphobia or anti-religion or anti-atheism.” Any topic he jokes about, according to the form, must be delivered “in a respectful and non-abusive way.” The purpose of the restrictions, according to a note that accompanied the form from Fisayo Eniolorunda, a university student and the society’s event organizer, is to “provide a safe space” filled with “joy, love, and acceptance” and to “avoid problems.”

Kisin was not the only performer targeted, though. All comedians invited to perform at the unpaid event — which will donate all proceeds to the U.N. children’s charity — were asked to sign the clause, according to the Daily Mail. But Kisin refused to comply, tweeting that the title of the agreement “made me want to puke.” The comedian said he supports UNICEF, but the restrictions go against everything he believes in as a free speech advocate.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Kisin said of first laying eyes on the agreement. “The only people who should be controlling what comedians say are comedians. This is a threat to freedom of speech and I have declined the invitation on a point of principle.” For Kisin, censorship hits too close to home. “I grew up under the Soviet Union,” he told the Daily Mail. “When I saw this letter, basically telling me what I could and couldn’t say, I thought this was precisely the kind of letter a comic would have been sent there.”

He told the BBC, “I just think it reflects an attitude among a group of people, people at university particularly, where it seems that they have become places of indoctrination rather than learning. Students are being taught to prevent offense rather than to seek truth and pursue experiences.” He clarified his stance by saying, “I didn’t turn down this gig because I’m some racist, homophobic, xenophobic, ableist comedian. I turned down this gig because if you sign a contract like that, you’re exposing yourself to someone’s bad interpretation. If someone writes a contract like that, the chances are that they will be hypersensitive, vigilant and trying to catch you out. I’m just not interested in that.”

This is hardly the first time Kisin has been vocal about culturally sensitive and politically correct subjects — he co-hosts the “free speech” podcast The Triggernometry Show, where he and fellow comedian Francis Foster have conversations with economists, political experts, journalists and social commentators.

The incident with UNICEF on Campus even prompted Kisin to reference an assertion made by comedy veteran Jerry Seinfeld, who told ESPN Radio in 2015 that many comedians, including himself, won’t perform jokes on college campuses for fear of coming across as offensive. “[The younger generation] just want to use these words,” Seinfeld said to host Colin Cowherd. “‘That’s racist, that’s sexist, that’s prejudice.’ They don’t even know what they’re talking about.” Another comedy legend, Chris Rock, told Vulture in 2014, “I stopped playing colleges, and the reason is because they’re way too conservative.”

The SOAS student union, which was involved in organizing the event, told the Daily Mail that it had no role in sending out the agreement and was not even consulted. A spokesperson said the SOAS student union “does not require external speakers to sign any form of contract or behavioural agreement.” The union called the move “overzealous” on the society’s part and told the BBC it “fully believes in freedom of speech.”

The UNICEF on Campus society has since apologized, according to the BBC, saying, “Given that Unicef is a children’s charity, we wanted to make sure it was an appropriate event for the cause. We would never wish to impose that guests would have to agree to anything they do not believe in.”

Yahoo Lifestyle has reached out to all parties involved for further comment and will update this story with any new information.

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