Posted on 02/13/2007 9:13:35 AM PST by Froufrou
A national communications company refused to display a conservative Christian group's potentially controversial advertisements promoting a conference on sexuality over the weekend.
Focus on the Family expressed disappointment at Clear Channel Outdoor's decision to block ads for its international Love Won Out conference in Phoenix, Ariz.
The billboard ad was drafted to read, "I questioned homosexuality: Change is Possible, Discover How."
Gender issues director at Focus on the Family, Melissa Fryrear, said Monday the advertising company had turned down the business, but as of Monday, its lawyers had not received an explanation for the decision.
A Clear Channel Outdoors representative told Cybercast News Service,"Our local managers review each advertisement on a case-by-case basis to ensure that it meets the tastes and standards of the local community.
"Local managers reserve the right to reject advertising copy if it does not meet their community's standards for appropriateness or the copy is deemed offensive towards any business, group or individual," the representative added.
Fryrear argued that "there is nothing objectionable about [the ad]."
"It gives a hopeful message for those who are dissatisfied living homosexually and [shows] that there is an alternative they could consider," she said
Despite the advertising controversy, the conference was successful, Fryrear said. At the same time, Focus on the Family would never know how many more could have been impacted had the billboard ad not been refused.
"We wanted to try to get the message out in a variety of mediums," she said. "Our concern certainly is that it would have affected potential attendees because we weren't able to promote it as intentionally as we had planned."
Even a group protesting the conference, Arizona Human Rights Foundation (AHRF), questioned the decision to censor the advertisement.
AHRF representative Amy Kobeta said although she was glad the communication company had tried to avoid offense, the move was "a little odd because it seems to be somewhat of an infringement on free speech."
"I would be upset if someone didn't advertise one of our conferences and I think the reverse is also true," Kobeta said.
The ad was eventually picked up by another advertising company in the area.
Focus on the Family said the goal of its annual Love Won Out conference is to answer questions on the divisive issue of sexuality and raise awareness about the continuing need to show love to the homosexual and lesbian community.
"We are trying to help Christians respond in a Christian way to someone who is struggling with homosexuality," Fryrear said. "We are also trying to offer resources and hope to [unhappy homosexuals] that would assist them as they continue to pursue heterosexuality."
She said many of the people attending the conference are Christian family members or friends of homosexuals.
"They don't want to forfeit what they believe about sexuality, and of course they love their loved one," Fryrear said. So Focus on the Family is "helping them continue to stand by what they believe biblically and [show them] how to respond to a gay identified loved one in a compassionate and understanding loving way."
The ARHD and other homosexual advocacy groups, however, expressed concern about the motives of the group.
"I don't understand how it can be compassionate if you are telling someone that they are inherently flawed and they are required to change," Kobeta said.
"The conference is based on two very flawed principles," she said. "One is that homosexuality is a choice and the other is that homosexuality can and should be cured.
"Both of those, we feel, perpetuates stereotypes, bias, and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual people," Kobeta added.
Kobeta argued "this kind of [movement] should not be perpetuated and there is an alternative in loving and accepting yourself for who you are."
Fryrear said she would have preferred that the critics participated in the event.
"The conference has oftentimes been misrepresented and I would much rather them hear the grace that we are exhorting to Christians to extend to them.
"Someone protesting on the sidewalk doesn't have an opportunity to hear that," she said.
Yep. Doesn't mean I have to support the idea of civil unions. In fact, I will fight against such a thing in any way possible. That's my RIGHT.
No middle ground, but heterosexuals are actually losing ground! That's what I don't like about it.
True, the ad company can pick and choose, but keep in mind we're not talking public service announcements here. These would have been paying customers.
Homosexuals can be cured only if they take the first step.
It's controversial and the billboard company has a right to refuse it if they wish. That's all.
Global Warming causes Homosexuality but can be cured by signing the Kyoto Treaty.
>But they have the RIGHT to do it.
They have a RIGHT to take a flying leap off a cliff, they do, but kind, loving, Christian people seek to present an alternative.
They have a RIGHT not to display the ad, but what's sad is the fear of a backlash of irrational hate, that frightens them into refusing.
What is so wrong with two people making a legal contract together? Plus, I bet you do nothing but bitch and moan online about it.
Bush's fault.
"So what was wrong with Focus on the Family advertising for people who want to get out of that sinful lifestyle?"
Truth in advertizing laws. I know two people, each almost 40 years old, that I have seen wear dresses and act like girls since they were old enough to play out in the yard as toddlers. When we played superheroes as kids, they would fight over who was going to be Wonder Woman. Of course, both of these men are gay and as far as I can tell, have never even had a heterosexual thought in their lives.
I also know this wonam who was called a tomboy, etc. since she was old enough to get out of her yard. She was a tomboy. She liked shooting birds with us and ramping bikes, etc. She even tried to marry a guy. It didn't last a week. She's just a lesbian and that's the way it always has been.
You really think some religous group can fix that? Seriously? If I owned the billboards I would have told Focus to go pound sand. The fact that this is a even news item shows how spiteful Focus on the Family can be. "We'll run to the media on you!!!" Please.
I wonder what Kobeta has to say about smokers and overweight people.
I keep hearing about these people, but I haven't seen them online here at FR lately.
Don't forget alcoholics.
People who truly want to change will go to any lengths to find out about these programs. It's like alcoholism..it's attraction, not promotion. The only thing the billboard will do is make some people angry. And that's exactly what they want, don't kid youself.
Why are you foaming at the mouth?
You think if someone is an alcoholic they shouldn't get help? Even if they were drinking ever since they were a kid? If someone is truly gay that's their cross to carry and it's a sin. The Bible says it is an abomination. What concerns me is how socially acceptable it is now. It especially concerns me with teenagers. If they think that it's ok or even "cool" to try it, it leaves a spiritual scar on the soul.
It's good to know there are so many! Unless I stop and think about the vastness of the need for them...
From the end of the article:
Fryrear said she would have preferred that the critics participated in the event.From what Love in Action has said, their intention is not to make anybody angry. Rather, they want to offer help to those who want help and I commend Love in Action for their work here."The conference has oftentimes been misrepresented and I would much rather them hear the grace that we are exhorting to Christians to extend to them.
"Someone protesting on the sidewalk doesn't have an opportunity to hear that," she said.
The really good news is there are many more similar organizations, and their numbers, along with the numbers of ex-gays, are growing.
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