WHERE SUCCESSFUL ADVERTISING MEETS LGBT EQUALITY

American Family Association, Healing for Homosexuals

Members:

1998 Print Report A Problem

A full-page ad in The San Franisco Chronicle for the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association declared that Christians love homosexuals but that their sexual practices were sinful, associated with disease and destructive behavior. The organization's ad says it offers "healing for homosexuals, not harassment."

In response that year, the city's Board of Supervisors passed resolutions saying the advertising "validates oppression of gays and lesbians" and may encourage violence. One resolution suggested the religious right take accountability for effects of its rhetoric and the other asked local TV stations not to carry such ads.

The city was then sued by conservatives for its efforts. In a 2-to-1 decision in early 2002, the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco said the main purpose and effect of the supervisors' actions was to promote equality and condemn hate crimes, not to attack or inhibit religious beliefs.

Company
American Family Association
Brand
American Family Association/AFA
Industry
National Politics
Media Outlet
Print
Country
United States
Region
North America, US Regional,
Agency
American Family Association in-house
AdRespect Themes
User Comments
Frank
Not only is the ad offensive, it's sole purpose is to promote hatred and bigotry in the misguided belief that sexual orientation is a choice. Is a gay family less "American" than any other family in the "American Family Association"? Is each life of equal value in anyone's estimation? It implies that God makes mistakes that can be "corrected" by humans. It's just bigotry, ignorance and hate.

Elle
Ridiculous. Suggests that homosexuality is a disease which can be cured. I feel sorry for these people.

Lindsey Ho
What can I say? Oppressing gay and bisexual people is a hobby to certain conservative Christians. I wonder how this will play out decades from now when LGBT people have full legal rights and mainstream social respect. I'm doing my part as a straight ally: joining groups that support equality. If homophobia makes you mad and sad, take action! Civil rights, unfortunately, do not come without struggle and effort.

Audrey Gilles
Huh? I’m not feeling any love from this statement, it looks pretty hateful to me. I fail to understand how the imbalanced, extreme focus on sinful sexual practices associated with disease and destructive behavior is not harassment in addition to conditioned and false stereotypes. It’s hard to respond to this ad without getting off topic or angry because it’s so consistent with religious intolerance that’s offensive and fanatic. I have had to erase so many lines at this point.

Rachelle
This is really offensive: if there were an ad suggesting "racial healing," there would be no way that the advertiser(s) could get away with it. This is similar to the occurance in Middle America where a girl is suing her school for not being able to express her negative beliefs of homosexuality at an all-school assembly during pride month.

Chris
Only happens in America. (National saying in England, bloody right too it seems) Chill out.

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