Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Bob Hope

Members:

1988 Television Report A Problem

On behalf of GLAAD, Bob Hope addresses the camera in a tuxedo, and says, "I'm proud to live in this great, free country and I'm proud of our commitment to free speech. And I'm proud of our country's commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens to work and live free from bigotry and violence.

"That's why I was amazed to discover that many people die each year in anti-gay attacks and thousands more are left scarred, emotionally and physically.

"Bigotry has no place in this great nation, and violence has no place in this world, but it happens. Prejudice hurts, kills. Please don't be a part of it."

This ad came about after Hope was on "The Tonight Show" in 1988 and used the word "fag" in reference to someone's colorful tie on the show that night, motivating GLAAD to request an apology. Hope took it a step further by creating this spot at his own expense.

Because this was a public service announcement in an era when GLAAD couldn't afford to pay for the media time, this ad aired on paid-access programs such as Gay Cable Network in New York City and The 10% Show in Chicago.

Company

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation

Brand

LGBTQ issues awareness

Industry

Nonprofit/NGO (gay)

Media Outlet

Television

Country

United States

Region

North America

Agency

GLAAD in-house

AdRespect Themes

User Comments

Cynnie

I loved that ad! I didn't think he was stiff and uncomfortable at all, he seemed a bit indignant. I admire someone of his stature who is/was willing to stand up and speak the truth no matter how controversial it is. Yea Bob hope, you rock!

James Curnutt

I lived in NYC in 1988 and I do recall seeing that ad one time on television there. It caught my eye because it was Bob Hope and because he seemed extraordinarily stiff and uncomfortable in his delivery of the message. I never saw it again, but I am positive I saw it that one time.

Eric Evans

I was working for the Gay Cable Network when this PSA was first aired! I was so touched by this ad and to come from Bob Hope made it VERY special it should be aired again!

K. Schwartz

I wrote the PSA and negotiated with Bob Hope's people for it. We did distribute the PSA to many stations across the country, and for months we heard reports of it playing in different places. It never played on a national "network" basis, but it did play on numerous local stations around the country.

Robert Knoll

This ad also appeared on The Joan Rivers Talk Show at least once.

Brian Arens

I saw this ad too and was always impressed that Mr. Hope had made this ad!

John Ryan

In Chicago I had a program called the "The 10% Show." We ran it a number of times and loved it.

Fred

The Bob Hope anti-defamation ad ran rather frequently in New York on TV, almost always late at night. It was always paired with an unintentionally funny ad narrated by Katharine Hepburn about cleaning up the Long Island Sound. The Hope ad seemed like a joke because he did not -- in that setting -- seem sincere.

KJazz

Bob Hope died yesterday and I had no idea he ever did this PSA. I am touched and moved that he did this.

Katrina

I've never seen the ad on TV and I'm surprised he did this PSA. It's nice to have him do this ad in 1988.

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