September 06, 2005
NYC TV Station Refuses Gay Candidate's Ad, Gay365.com
by Doug Windsor
365Gay.com
September 6, 2005
(New York City) Fox television has refused to run a campaign ad for Brian Ellner, a Democratic candidate for Manhattan borough president.
Ellner says that Fox5 told the campaign that the ad, which features a picture of President Bush superimposed on the body of a naked wrinkled man's torso is disrespectful and in poor taste. While the picture appears an announcer says "the emperor has no clothes."
The ad also features Ellner and his partner, Simon Holloway, in what is considered the first time a gay candidate has been accompanied by his partner in a commercial in New York state.
"It's pretty clear it's an anti-free speech decision because of our criticism of the president," Ellner told the New York Times
"It's untenable and in my view it's anti-American." Ellner also said that the rejection of the ad was "disrespectful to voters."
The 30 second spot cost about $250,000. While Fox rejected the commercial other New York stations have agreed to run it. The ad can be seen online at Ellner's Web site
Considered a long shot, Ellner is one of nine candidates running for borough president. The race also includes lesbian Democrat Margarita Lopez a member of the city council.
©365Gay.com 2005
Posted by John at September 6, 2005 06:06 PM
