BILLBOARD COMPLAINTS REJECTED

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has rejected complaints about a series of billboards aimed to promote tolerance of gay people.

The campaign, launched in February by LGBT rights group Stonewall, featured the phrase “Some people are gay. Get over it!” in giant, tabloid-style capital letters.

The bright red billboards were erected at around 600 sites in England, Scotland and Wales.

According to the ASA, 54 complaints were received about the ads.

Some of the complaints claimed that the billboards were inappropriate for children, while others said that the billboards discriminated against heterosexual people and implied that all heterosexuals were homophobic.

It its ruling the authority said that “Although some people might disagree with the advertiser’s approach, the ad did not contain language or imagery that was likely to cause serious or widespread offence, or particular offence to heterosexuals or religious groups.”

It went on to say that, “The ad did not imply that heterosexual people were homophobic, and did not promote homosexuality as an attractive lifestyle choice or as taking advantage of issues arising from children’s sexuality for political gain.”

While the campaign has now ended it is expected to be re-launched later in the year.