BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia – The Australian Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) has rejected complaints against a advertising campaign promoting the message “marriage equality is every family’s issue” as it could have a gay child were rejected by
The campaign, launched earlier this week, features a billboard in Brisbane and a YouTube video featuring the mother-to-be having an ultrasound and asking the doctor what the baby will be.
“You’re having a lesbian!” the doctor informs them, to which the the visibly delighted parents respond with, “Thank you!”
The campaign, entitled What R U Having?, was launched by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in an attempt to build awareness and support for gays and lesbians, and features the message, “Any child can be born gay, so marriage equality is every family’s issue.”
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The ad bureau received several complaints regarding the ad, with one asking: “If science can prove one is having a lesbian/homosexual should one abort?”
Another complaint alleged that the ad “sexualizes children” and “promotes gay marriage.”
The complaints have been dismissed by ABS.
“Our intended message was that any child regardless of sexual orientation should be welcomed into a family and equality is an issue for all parents, was clearly lost by those who objected,” said Shelley Argent, a spokesperson for PFLAG.
“As the mother of a gay son, I can tell you that not making a child feel welcome because of their sexual orientation is the real child abuse,” she said.
The video is here:
