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Ulster continues to make a name for itself as a homophobic stronghold
Northern Ireland
Advertising Standards Authority to investigate anti-gay ad in Northern Ireland
"The advert described homosexuality as an abomination and gay men and lesbians as perverts"
The Advertising Standards Authority is to investigate an advertisment condemning homosexuality that ran in a Northern Irish newspaper ahead of the weekend's Pride festivities. The advert, placed by the Sandown Free Presbyterian Church in The News Letter last Friday, described homosexuality as an abomination and gay men and lesbians as perverts. It also called on Churches to maintain their hard-line stance against homosexuality, but fell short of justifying violence against gay men and lesbians.
The advert did, however, assert that some of the anti-gay attacks that have been reported in the province of late may have been "provoked" by the community's "desire to be known for a perverted form of sexuality". It continued that while condemning the violence shown against the gay community, the Church should not allow that violence to soften their hard-line condemnation.
Finishing with a condemnation of the Pride parade itself, the ad was found to be offensive by five members of the public who placed complaints with the Advertising Standards Authority. A judgement is expected by the end of the week, while the Sandown Free Presbyterian Church has declined to comment on the ad and the furore surrounding it.
