ASA finds sexual orientation campaign ad in breach

LONDON - The advertising watchdog has told a religious pressure group not to reproduce an ad that claimed new Government regulations would force schools to promote same-sex civil partnerships.

More than 50 people complained about the ad from the Coherent and Cohesive Voice group, which appeared in The Times.

The ad said the Labour Government was "going to decide what is and isn't acceptable" and "force their views onto you" with its proposed Sexual Orientation Regulations.

CCV said the rules would "force a family-run B&B to let out a double room to a transsexual couple, even if the family think it is in the best interests of their children to refuse to allow a situation in their own home".

It went on: "[The rules] make it illegal for a heterosexual policeman, fireman or member of the Armed Forces to refuse to join a Gay Pride event promoting the homosexual way of life.

"All British people should live together respectfully and peacefully but they should not be compelled by law to act against their conscience."

Among the complainants were the Fire Brigades Union, which said the ad was "inaccurate and misleading" and wrongly gave the impression that the views represented those of all Christians in the UK.

The Civil Service Rainbow Alliance complained that the ad was likely to provoke homophobic behaviour.

CVV defended the ad and said it was confident that the ad conformed to ASA rules "when read objectively". The Times, meanwhile, said it believed the ad was not likely to cause widespread offence to readers.

In its adjudication, the Advertising Standards Authority said the ad had "exaggerated the effect of the proposed regulations and was likely to mislead readers". It has told CCV not to repeat the ad in its current format.

Market Reports

Get unprecedented new-business intelligence with access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s new Market Reports.

Find out more

Enjoying ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s content?

 Get unlimited access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s premium content for your whole company with a corporate licence.

Upgrade access

Looking for a new job?

Get the latest creative jobs in advertising, media, marketing and digital delivered directly to your inbox each day.

Create an alert now

Partner content