United Church of Christ, Ejection

An all-American, white family enters a church and finds the pew where they will sit. As the camera pans across the congregation, it is evident that various minorities are present.

An African-American woman with a crying baby is ejected from her seat as if she were in an airplane. Following, a homosexual couple meets the same fate. Next, a man of Middle Eastern descent, a disabled person, and a homeless woman are the last to be launched from their respective pews. Squeals can be heard from the rejected, airborne churchgoers.

A narrator says, "The United Church of Christ-- no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcomed here."

Appearing on the screen is the text, "God doesn't reject people. Neither do we." The final shot is of a diverse group of people coalescing harmoniously. The commercial ends with the organization's logo emblazoned on the screen and the ad's tagline beneath it: "God is still speaking."

The spot has been rejected by ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, as well as 24-hour gay network LOGO. United Church of Christ leader Ron Buford told Associated Press, “They are saying, ‘You can entertain on 'Will & Grace' and 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy', but when it comes to showing you as whole people with the church, that is going to far." The church spent $1.5 million on the ad and media, according to Buford.

A statement from LOGO, owned by MTV Networks, reads: "MTV Networks does not accept advocacy or religious advertising that appears to disparage any organization, denomination or individual. This policy applies to all MTV Networks' channels, which include MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Logo, CMT and Nickelodeon. The UCC ad did not meet MTV Networks' standards for paid commercial advertising. At Logo, we know that LGBT people of faith are as diverse in their religious beliefs as we are as a community. Logo will continue to develop and air programs that explore themes about LGBT people of faith with incisiveness and authenticity. From Latter Days to Trembling Before God, Logo will continue developing and airing programs that address the full experiences of LGBT people of faith."

An NBC spokeswoman said the ad “violates our long-standing policy against airing commercials that deal with issues of public controversy.” A CBS spokeswoman echoed NBC's answer while ABC and FOX could not be reached by the Associated Press for comment.

CNN, USA, TNT, BET, three Spanish-language stations and eight other cable networks accepted the commercial.

Additionally, national premium GLBT TV networks "here!" and Q Television have said they will run the commercial without charge as a public service announcement, although it does not carry paid advertising. "Here!" has already carried PSAs for Trevor Project, Point Foundation, and Cable Positive.