Christians force removal of safe sex ads

Christians force removal of safe sex ads

The leading provider of street furniture mounted advertising in Australia and New Zealand, Adshel, has removed posters for a Queensland Association of Healthy Communities (QAHC) campaign encouraging safe sex after a campaign of complaints about the ad from conservative Christians.

The posters show two fully clothed men, one nuzzling the neck of the other, with one of the men holding a condom packet in his hand.

Less than 50 complaints were made against the ad and were clearly variations on a form letter.

All were sent to Adshel in the space of a week.

A condom packet that forms part of a small logo on the posters is described in many of the complaints as being “huge”, implying many complainants had not even seen the posters, while the phrase “The only reason for homosexual men to need condoms is because their sexual intercourse carries with it a very high risk of serious disease” and “any condom ad in public spaces to children [sic] is unacceptable!” are common to many of the complaints.

Descriptions of the ad made by complainants included “Homosexual men are necking and cuddling each other,” and “the advertisement is promoting a type of condom to be used by homosexuals – for safe sex.”

Many of the posters that were complained about were situated in Brisbane’s pink Fortitude Valley precinct.

The posters were removed by Adshel without the consent of QAHC.

The Star Observer understands that the complaint campaign was orchestrated by Wendy Francis of the Australian Christian Lobby Queensland.

QAHC executive director Paul Martin said safe sex asvertisements carried important messages for the entire community.

“We are deeply disappointed by the behaviour of Adshel in removing the advertisements, without even notifying us and without proper reason,” he said in a statement.

“The advertisement is in no way explicit or offensive to the average Queenslander. The complaints claim that depictions of gay people and discussion of sexual health are not appropriate for the general community. We reject these claims outright.

“2010 saw the highest number of people diagnosed with HIV than at any time since testing began in the mid 1980s. 65% of these diagnoses are among gay men.

“Now, more than ever, it is important that we get the safe sex message out to Queenslanders, particularly gay men, wherever they may be.’

Martin said the advertising campaign was “quite conservative when compared with other public advertisements for a range of commercial products and previous sexual health campaigns by the Australian and Queensland Governments”.

“The Australian Christian Lobby has used homophobia dressed up as protecting children to have an important public education campaign removed,” he said,

“ACL’s Queensland Director Wendy Francis has previously been criticised and forced to apologise for sending out a homophobic tweet likening gay marriage to ‘legalising child abuse’. They are now trying have gay people erased from the public sphere.”

During the last Federal Election while standing as a Family First Senate candidate Francis tweeted “Children in homosexual relationships are subject to emotional abuse.  Legitimising gay marriage is like legalising child abuse”.

The couple who’s photo was used in the campaign are urging concerned people to write, call, fax or email Adshel to show their support for the ad.

A Facebook page set up by the couple with the relevant details can be found at www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123532344395752

What can you do?
Individuals are being encouraged to contact Adshel and demand that the adverts be put back up in their original locations.
Phone: 07 3250 8200
Fax: 07 3257 7776
Email: via website www.adshel.com.au/who/contact
Write: Suite 19, Plumridge House, 36 Agnes St, Fortitude Valley Q 4006

“We need messages of support from your organisation supporting our campaign, supporting the gay community and demanding that the adverts be put back up in their original locations,” Martin said.

“We will use these messages of support publically, so please ensure that you have the appropriate authorisation. Please send messages of support to [email protected]


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12 responses to “Christians force removal of safe sex ads”

  1. @ paula barnetti

    WHAT ARE YOU DOING READING ARTICLES A GAY MEDIA WEBSITE IF U HATE US SO MUCH YOU DIMWITTED FOOL

    i deeply feel sorry for your unfortunate children… may they grow up to hate your intolerance as much as you hate us…

    you are an abomination of everything your ‘faith’ stands for… shame shame shame!

  2. I got an idea, the christian church should reinstate the christian version of sharia in australia. Then they could start burning the gays at the stake as they did when the chritian church controlled society in Europe. Hey , that would get rid of the gay issue… right up in smoke. THen they could start burning the Jews, the moslems, the gypsies, the who ever else that is not christian. Ah the world never changes.. more of the same from the bigots..

  3. this woman makes me sick i hope she is not a mother she is to unstable there is no need for a cure as being gay is not an illness

  4. @paula barnetti – you are a typical spinless religous nut, you believe in something that there is NO PROOF OF because your weak and need to believe that there is a ‘god’ that will save you.
    I hope you don’t have ANY children as people like you should NEVER be allowed to reproduce spitting out hatred

  5. paula barnetti

    I could well say go back to your own country you wog, but that would be comming down to your level. Not the Catholic level, but the deep pather of hate you have created for yourself.

    There are millions of Catholics around the world including a third of Catholic Theologins who openly advocate for Same-Sex Marriage.

    The current Hitler Pope has like some other Popes, been a true work of Evil on the World.

    Now there are some Catholics who do not even agree other Churches are real, but they are the danger to the world. The fundamentalist who wants to convert everyone to his or her warped view of the world. The person who cannot live as Jesus and accept others.

    To quote from a great man who understood discrimination:

    “To penalise someone because of their sexual orientation is like what used to happen to us; to be penalised for something which we could do nothing [about] — our ethnicity, our race. I would find it quite unacceptable to condemn, persecute a minority that has already been persecuted.” Nobel Peace Prize winner and Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

  6. So its OK to have hundreds/thousands women naked in all sorts of advertisements, selling god knows what? From washing machine liquid through to chocolate bars, yet we cannot tolerate 2 men shot in a tasteful, yet sensual way, that are providing a message which needs to be reiterated. I agree with Lizz above – shame on you ADsel and ACL! AND shame on the homophobic/judgemental christian lobby… go get a job Wendy. Seems like you have too much time on your hands if your leading a ban on this ad!

  7. I am outraged by the removal of this tasteful healthy behaviour promoting resource.

    I am offended by the very exsistance of the Australian Christian Lobby, however I recognise their right to have there say.
    Where is this same right applied to protect the future health of the men, women and teenagers who will have straight and homesexual relationships now and in the future.

    Shame on you ACL and ADSEL for your short sighted ill-informed reactionary response.

    Every person has the RIGHT to information to assist them in making healthy deceisions regarding there own well-being. I cant understand why ACL wouldnt want our children to be able to make informed decisions!

    Remember apx 1 in 10 people are likely to be homeosexual!

  8. if it was a straight couple on the poster this crusty old cow wouldnt give a sh*t…

    gotta love the hypocritical christian agenda…

  9. homosexuality is a sin against god and nature you people should pray for a cure of your decadent way of life or god will punish you i am a practising catholic mother of six if any of my children where cursed with the homo a ffliction i would want to get them cured

  10. Adshell ran advertisements from Christian Fundamentalist saying the end of the world is coming and Judgement day will be upon you. How much more scared could you make children who read that?

    How many times have we seen advertisements with heterosexuals kissing?

    I must also apologize for my previous post about the Australian Christian Lobby. I have said they were made up of 20-30 people. It now appears after this campaign getting all their people to write in, they are a massive 50 people. They are however, still not a full train carriage. And I should not dare to talk of the 300,000 who went to Mardi Gras, or the 100,000 people at Midsummer, or the sea of people last time I went to Melbourne pride.

    As for Wendy Francis and her homophobic comments about Same-Sex couples who have children, there are more children of Same-Sex couples then make-up the Australian Christian Lobby.

    If only Adshell knew they were pissing off their largest market, to satisfy half a train carriage of Christian Fundamentalist.

    Adshell operates in a privileged position at the mercy of the State Government and Councils. Two guys kissing or cuddling is hardly and excuse to pull advertisements. It looks to me like outright homophobia.

  11. […] Christians force removal of safe sex adsSydney Star ObserverThe Star Observer understands that the complaint campaign was orchestrated by Wendy Francis of the Australian Christian Lobby Queensland. QAHC executive director Paul Martin said safe sex asvertisements carried important messages for the entire …Australia: Christians Force Removal of Safer Sex CampaignGayapolisall 36 news articles » […]