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ASA Dismisses Complaints Against Stonewall Ad

The Advertising Standards Authority has refused to uphold any of the 54 complaints it received about a Stonewall billboard.

The 'Some People Are Gay, Get Over It' campaign promoted Stonewall's work tackling homophobic bullying in schools.

"Although some people might disagree with the advertiser’s approach, the ad did not contain language or imagery that was likely to cause serious or widespread offence, or particular offence to heterosexuals or religious groups," the ASA said in its ruling.

"The ad did not imply that heterosexual people were homophobic, and did not promote homosexuality as an attractive lifestyle choice or as taking advantage of issues arising from children’s sexuality for political gain."

Six hundred billboard panels, donated by Titan Outdoor Advertising, were displayed across the UK in February. The visual was developed by Warwick Worldwide in collaboration with 150 secondary school pupils and teachers for Stonewall’s Education for All campaign.

Complaints about the 600-billboard campaign will not now prevent it being re-run later this year.

"We’re delighted at the ASA’s decision. This was a carefully-designed campaign which has had a significant impact," said Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive.

"We’ve received supportive messages from teachers and young people across the country saying it has helped them raise the issue of homophobic bullying in their schools for the first time. This sort of bullying, which blights the lives of young people, has festered in the past precisely because it has been invisible."

Among the complainants, seven claimed the ad was "inappropriate for display where it could be seen by children."

Five objected that the ad was "particularly offensive to Christian and other religious groups," and Two objected that the ad was offensive because it discriminated against heterosexual people and implied that all heterosexuals were homophobic.

Last month, one of the posters was vandalised in Blackburn, with someone scrawling a massive 'No' at the end of the statement.

Author: Joanne Oatts

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