Council opposes withdrawal of gay TV advert
1 July 2008
Manchester City Council has joined gay equality charity Stonewall in expressing its disappointment that a TV advert depicting a same sex couple has been taken off air.
The advert that promotes Heinz Deli Mayo was withdrawn last week following complaints from some viewers.
Councillor Paul Fairweather, Manchester City Council's lead member on gay men's issues, says: "As a council with a proven commitment to lesbian and gay equality we find it frustrating and disappointing that an advert featuring a same sex couple should be deemed to be unacceptable."
Councillor Mary Murphy, Manchester City Council's lead member on lesbians' issues adds: "We have worked long and hard to change attitudes around lesbian, gay and bisexual issues and it would have been yet another step forward to see a gay couple featured in a mainstream TV advert. As it is, by withdrawing the advert it is sending out the message that there is something offensive about a gay relationship and this is something we can't condone or support."
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