Actually, this story isn’t a free speech issue, despite Anglican Mainstream claiming that it is.
A Christian group which had its advertisement pulled from London buses after it was described as anti-gay has said it is considering legal action.
Anglican Mainstream has instructed a law firm to look at whether Transport for London (TfL) acted illegally when it scrapped the adverts.
TfL apparently pulled the ads because people were offended. Well, they can pull the ads for any reason they please and offer no reason for doing so. Their buses, their rules and all. Free speech does not apply on private property. So, it isn’t a free speech issue as Anglican Mainstream could, should they so wish, seek another host for their advertisement. They may have a claim in civil law regarding breach of contract, but it ain’t a free speech matter.
However, what it is, is rampant hypocrisy. You see, if you are offended by Stonewall’s somewhat crass advertisement in favour of gaydom (and do we really need one?), then you are a “homophobe” and your being offended doesn’t matter, but if you are a right-on progressive, then your delicate sensibilities must be protected against being exposed to a contrary view – especially one that claims to cure people of gaydom. The appropriate response to those who contacted TfL to claim that their paper-thin skins were bruised by this affront to their sensibilities, causing a most disturbing fit of the vapours, would be to point out that sometimes you see and hear things that you find offensive. Get over it. But, then, no one ever seems to stand up to the permanently professionally offended and tell ’em like it is – preferably advising them to travel and multiply while they are at it.
So, what we have is cowardice on the part of TfL and rampant hypocrisy on the part of the right-on progressives. A marriage made in Heaven, I would have thought, but Anglican Mainstream might differ on that one. And, just to be even handed in my offending folk (while I’m at it, as it were), the idea that people can be cured of their gaydom is somewhat absurd, given that we don’t know what causes it in the first place. Absurd, yes, but probably no more absurd than the rest of the bollocks religious people believe in.
Now, is there anyone out there who is not offended?
If it is indeed impossible to be cured of being gay, as I believe it is. Then an advertisement claiming that some people have become “Ex Gays” is saying something that is untrue. As I understand it, this can be held as grounds for disallowing or censuring an advertisement.
“If it is indeed impossible to be cured of being gay, as I believe it is.
Interesting… why do you believe that ?
Anyone can advertise what they want to. I don’t have to read their drivel, no matter who is advertising.
Don’t like it? Don’t read it.
Simple.
I find all sorts of stuff to be ‘offensive’ to me, but as far as I know I’m the only one ‘offended’ I just ignore that which I find mildly irritating.
“…(and do we really need one?…”
No. The ‘love that dare not speak its name’ long ago became the love that never bloody shuts up about it.
“Now, is there anyone out there who is not offended?”
Me. I’m not offended by anything. I am unprofessionally unoffended by everything.
However, if I am discombobulated by anyone, I directly retaliate with extreme prejudice. None of this childish whining to the press about “it’s not fair”
Oi! I’m offended. You said what I was going to say.