“The applicant’s religious views and the biblical scripture which underpins those views no doubt cause offence, even serious offence, to those of a certain sexual orientation.
“Likewise, the practice of homosexuality may have a similar effect on those of a particular religious faith."
I'm a little unclear on exactly what sort of body the ASA is. If it's a private trade organization, then IMO they should be welcome to enforce whatever standards they like. If they don't want to endorse homophobic billboards, or if they don't want to endorse billboards promoting gay rights, that's their prerogative. (Of course, the latter likely would and should lead to a boycott and a huge outcry.)
This is a healthy response of society to homophobia -- people saying "I won't have anything to do with this; I won't rent you my billboard space, I won't broadcast your ads, and I won't sell gas to Fred Phelps."
But if they're a governmental body, then that makes me a little leery, since I don't think it is the government's job to ban speech, even wrong and offensive speech. The antidote to wrong speech isn't violence (which is what a government ban amounts to: "stop this or the police are coming for you"); it's more speech
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It's a JUDGE that has overturned the ban since gays are offensive to Christians (by existing) it's ok for Christians to say offensive bigoted things about us.
I am really sick as well with religion being given a pass for evil bigotry all the damn time.
If they're a private organization then the judge has no right to interfere. If the Christians are unhappy that an advertising organization won't show their ads then they can find another one or start their own.
It is okay -- legally -- for Christians to say offensive bigoted things about anyone they want (as long as it doesn't constitute slander or an incitement to violence). They're wrong and they're stupid, but they can say those things.
The judge, though, goes a lot further than that -- he says that this advertising organization has to help them spew their drivel. Fuck that. Y'know that "free market" thing? That means all those little signs that say "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone".
The ASA is more than a private organisation. It's not an advertiser - it POLICES advertising. Checks to see if advertising is grossly offensive, misleading, enforces bans on tobacco and alcohol advertising, watersheds etc
It's a regulatory body for advertising - it's independent from the government supposedly to avert government interference, but it's not a private entity either
It was created originally by the advertising industry and then ceded powers by the government from Ofcom since the ASA was deemed fit to handle it. So it is neother a government body but nor is it a private organisation
Because it is a regulatory body fulfilling a quasi-governmental role, it's actions are subject to judicial review
People having sex would violate public obscenity laws (whatever sexes they are), but I think putting up billboards showing two men (or two women) kissing with the caption "GET OVER IT" would be a healthy and proper response to this sort of bullshit. :)
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“Likewise, the practice of homosexuality may have a similar effect on those of a particular religious faith."
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This is a healthy response of society to homophobia -- people saying "I won't have anything to do with this; I won't rent you my billboard space, I won't broadcast your ads, and I won't sell gas to Fred Phelps."
But if they're a governmental body, then that makes me a little leery, since I don't think it is the government's job to ban speech, even wrong and offensive speech. The antidote to wrong speech isn't violence (which is what a government ban amounts to: "stop this or the police are coming for you"); it's more speech ( ... )
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It's a JUDGE that has overturned the ban since gays are offensive to Christians (by existing) it's ok for Christians to say offensive bigoted things about us.
I am really sick as well with religion being given a pass for evil bigotry all the damn time.
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It is okay -- legally -- for Christians to say offensive bigoted things about anyone they want (as long as it doesn't constitute slander or an incitement to violence). They're wrong and they're stupid, but they can say those things.
The judge, though, goes a lot further than that -- he says that this advertising organization has to help them spew their drivel. Fuck that. Y'know that "free market" thing? That means all those little signs that say "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone".
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It's a regulatory body for advertising - it's independent from the government supposedly to avert government interference, but it's not a private entity either
It was created originally by the advertising industry and then ceded powers by the government from Ofcom since the ASA was deemed fit to handle it. So it is neother a government body but nor is it a private organisation
Because it is a regulatory body fulfilling a quasi-governmental role, it's actions are subject to judicial review
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http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/10/27/gay-priest-ice-cream-ad-banned-for-mocking-catholics/
It was banned. it's offensive
Our existence is offensive it seems. Poor delicate Christians
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