No campaign launches ad deemed too ‘explicit’ for daytime

The Coalition for Marriage’s new ad has been rated MA, and can only be shown after 8:30 at night.

Commercial television body Free TV gave the ad the MA rating because it includes extracts from the Safe Schools program referring to sex, according to The Australian.

The ad was judged to have “depictions of implied sexual activity and verbal sexual references”.

The ad, which launched this week, features text lifted from Minus18’s OMG I’m Trans and OMG I’m Queer resources.

“It’s a total lie that all guys have dicks and all girls have vaginas” appears on the screen, as does “Penis-in-vagina sex is not the only sex and certainly not the ultimate sex”.

The Coalition for Marriage, which continues to argues that marriage equality will lead to Safe Schools–style “radical” sex education, is not happy that its new ad can only be shown during restricted times.

“It is beyond belief that taxpayer-funded [LGBTI] sex and gender education materials openly made available to students of all ages are given an MA rating for television,” said spokesperson Lyle Shelton.

“The issue of these materials, of parents’ rights, and the direct relationship with changing the Marriage Act are there for all to see, and parents should beware.”

A marriage equality supporter who appears in the new ad has spoken out, saying she was “devastated” to have her image used in the No campaign, News.com.au has reported.

Paola Mitchell, a volunteer sign language interpreter, appears at the beginning of the ad signing at an LGBTI rights rally.

The ad has emblazoned “gay sex education” under her image.

“I’m proudly and openly gay and it just tears me apart to my very core and devastates me my face is even remotely associated with this rubbish from the No campaign,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell has asked the Coalition for Marriage to remove the ad, but they have reportedly refused to say whether they will.

“It’s irresponsible and they obviously don’t care who or what they do is affecting,” said Mitchell.

The marriage equality postal survey is coming to a close, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics recommending voters return their forms this week.