A new tourism ad creates an uproar
Comment: It has everything to do with hating gay people. SC is a homophobic state full of hateful conservatives. As a resident there are a few people who are tolerant but none in state government. If the conservatives in this state knew how much "gay" money is spent in this state by the gay residents and tourists, they'd change their opinions. They also forget that the gay residents pay taxes and vote too.
Comment: Oh well, another issue that paints my beautiful little state,South Carolina as a backward scary place. Charleston, my home town, is very gay-friendly; inland 30 miles or so, not so much, probably just like many states in the US...There are two South Carolinas, the more open-minded coastal area of Charleston, Beaufort, etc., and the larger towns of Columbia and Greenville where tourists and residents are welcome of every persuasion, and then everything else; all the small towns where if you are gay, you don't advertise it.
The politicians raising heck about this come from the inland Bible Belt areas, where intolerance, for the gay
lifestyle might be commonly found, and tourism not their bread and butter. The residents of this part of the state probably are fully supportive of their representatives axing the ad campaign, to the chagrin and embarrassment of the business people and residents of Charleston, like me.....Sigh.
Comment: I has everything to do with homophobia and hate in this state. If the people of South Carolina only know how many gay people live the state and contribute to the economy. The best way to fight homophobia in this state is with the almighty dollar. It's the only thing conservatives understand.
Comment: I'm not sure why I keep seeing comments about South Carolina not letting gay's to travel to their State. This is not about keeping gays out of South Carolina. Its about the way the advertisement comes across, not about banning or keeping gays out. South Carolina has the most friendliest people. If you've never lived there, as I have previously, nor ever visited, then you have no idea what your missing, not to mention, no right to say that they do not allow gays to travel to their State. That is so incorrect and so slanderous.
Comment: I'm not sure why I keep seeing comments about South Carolina not letting gay's to travel to their State. This is not about keeping gays out of South Carolina. Its about the way the advertisement comes across, not about banning or keeping gays out. South Carolina has the most friendliest people. If you've never lived there, as I have previously, nor ever visited, then you have no idea what your missing, not to mention, no right to say that they do not allow gays to travel to their State. That is so incorrect and so slanderous.
Comment: As negative publicity continues to mount on the world stage against South Carolina, I want to encourage all South Carolinians to call for the resignation of Chad Prosser, SCPRT Director. Instead of forcing out some underling, let the buck stop with him! This story has moved into the media spotlight, with coverage from AP, Newsweek, and MSNBC, among others. Don???t let Mr. Prosser???s heavy-handed anti-gay handling of this issue go unpunished! We all know that the negative press his actions have generated will cost the state far more than the $5,000 they are refusing to pay. Time to make him pay - contact the Governor???s office and add your voice to the call - http://www.scgovernor.com/contact/
Comment: Many of the most well known bible belt preachers are greedy corrupt thieves. I got the similar news at free interracial dating site 'Interracialconnect.com' which is the good place for 18+ singles from each race.
Comment: I'm straight, but I sympathize with the gays in tthis case. So Carolina to me sopunds like they are trying to segregate their state to intentionally exclude gay people. If they had done the same thing to Asians or blacks, they'd have the feds all over them. It is (or should be) against the law to say to a group of people - stay out of our state. If South Carolinians are uncomfortable around gays - too bad. We aren't talking about whether or not there should be gay sex ed, we are talking about the basic right to come and go as you please. Telling someone to stay out of our state is illegal.
Comment: This is too funny! A state promoting a sexual life style........ Imagine if we had commercials for straight people...."Come to Michigan, where Heterosexuals come to play!" Gay's are freaks. You want proof, go check out the Gay Pride parade in Chicago that goes down Halsted street every year. Grown men, wearing g-strings and walking down the street at 2 o'clock in the afternoon dancing to Abba! I had to seek out a specialist to stop the nightmares! It's a screw-up with their chromosones at birth, but there is no cure so we have to accept them. Besides, we didn't get rid of our dog after we found out his favorite past-time was humping our basketball, we just stop playing with that basketball!
Comment: You group gay people with alcoholics, druggies, smelly people, etc. without providing a rational explanation. In other words, you are intolerant of gay people as a group, probably because they do not act or think like you believe they should. Webster's dictionary defines bigot as "a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices" and "one who regards or treats the members of a group with hatred and intolerance". It seems that you fit both descriptions. Of course you have the freedom of choice to do so.....
It is well known that all tourists, including gays, and their $$$, are welcome in LA. South Carolina does pulled pork better than us, but other than that you all know what LA has to offer!
Comment: I thought the rational explanation was obvious. Gay people, like alcoholics, druggies, smelly people, etc. have characteristics and behaviors that I don't like or want to be around. That's not bigoted since their characteristics and behaviors are a choice. If someone makes the choice to act or be a certain way, it is not required for people to agree with that. Bigotry should only be used with regard to race, sex, and disability. These are things people cannot control.
Comment: Actually, being gay is not a choice. And bigotry SHOULD be used regarding your views. No one said that bigots should be required to act a certain way, just that their views are bigotry.
Everyone is entitled to be a bigotted fool. but they are still bigotted fools.
BTW, would you say that not liking a certain religion is not bigotry, since that is also a choice?
Comment: Why is it always a topic of "if you don't like gay people, you're a bigot?" To me, that doesn't make any sense.
I don't care to be around gay people, alcoholics, druggies, smelly people, fat slobs, people who talk too much, whiny people, and loud people. That doesn't make me a bigot or hateful person. It means I use my freedom of choice of who I care to be around.
Please stop telling people they are bigots because they don't agree with your way of thinking. For me, it's not religion or morals, it's just what I like and don't like.
Comment: sjbrock80
You can choose not to associate with gays, fine and dandy. When you use state and local governments to prevent gays from traviling to your state or town - YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW. Exercising you right of free association ends when you use force, coercion, government resources to bar people from public accomodations and spaces.
BTW the definition of bigot is: : a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance
You tell me, aren't YOU treating gay people with intolerance?
Comment: I agree using "force, coercion, government resources to bar people from public accomodations and spaces" is wrong.
My point is I choose not to associate with homosexuals. If that's intolerant, so be it. In my opinion, it's the nicest way I can act towards people I don't care for. I will not feel guilty or let someone accuse me of doing anything wrong for not wanting to be anywhere near a homosexual.
Comment: except that 95% of the time you would not know if someone was gay or not. I can all but guarantee you that you are around them and do not know it.
Comment: This is a total crackup. Gay people exist whether South Carolina likes it or not and on average are willing to spend as much for a vacation as a straight family of 4. If South Carolina thinks that acting like bigots is more important than attracting tourist revenue then more power to them. Its a big country and most Americans are not bigots. There are plenty of welcoming places for gay tourists to spend their hard earned moolah.
Comment: It would be nice if people would be kind to each other. Yes, we should use sound judgment concerning ourselves. But we should not be swift to judge others.
Comment: unbelievable that this level of stupidity continues ...
http://lifeisacookie.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/south-carolina-not-happy-to-be-gay/
Comment: Given the amount of time and attention a few flyers produced, perhaps they should change the signs to say South Carolina is so Anal
Comment: Jesus loves gay people. Jesus would sit down with gay people and break bread with them. Jesus would not judge or want you to judge. The bible is not completely HOLY. It has been corrupted by man. Trust only the shortest verses. I believe that Jesus wept and that God is Love. I believe that Jesus not only wept but that he weeps at the hatred commited in his name. Love is simple that's why it is so hard to understand. It acknowledges everyone's intrinsic value. Hatred is is the absence of love. The absence of love is Evil therefore the hatred of gays is evil. I will side with God on this one and try to practice love.
Comment: You are correct in one thing, God is Love. However, you must also understand that God commands his people to be obedient to him. The Word states in I John3:5, "This is the love of God, that you obey his commands." Yes, Jesus loves all people and he hates sin (the absence of obedience to God). And please do not be misled to believe that God will not ever judge our sins. The old testement is an example and a warning of our future judgement. Infact, judging is our duty as a Christian. To judge ourselves by the truth of God. The sin of Adam & Eve was all about judgement. Will be judge the world according to our own understanding or will we seek God & His truth.
Please be careful when dismissing parts of the bible. For me, I can't imagine serving an all powerful God and thinking he cannot protect one of His most precious gifts to us, the Word.
Comment: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!
This article was hiarious, I laughed all the way through it. Sorry, South Carolina, but your so Gay!!! And so is North Carolina and New York City and Mass. and California and Washington DC and Nebraska, Whyoming, Michigan, Missisippi, Oregan, And Texas, oh don't get me started on Texas.
Comment: What is this person's problem...?
And I dont think this has anything to do with South Carolina hating gay people. It was the language of the ad which is not appropriate. Come on, why does every one have to be so hateful to one another.
Comment: I agree. This has nothing to do with religion. It has to do with a hatred of certain people. It's just as bad as racism. The fact that someone can be told that they cannot stay somewhere because they are gay is just ludacris. That is violating the rights of being a HUMAN BEING- gay or not. Why do we hate each other? It does not make sense. I believe that Jesus said to love thy neighbor as thyself. I would never want to be treated in this way and I would never treat another person in this manner. Let's get it together instead of creating more hatred.
Comment: WHY DOES RELIGION ALWAYS COME INTO TO THIS?It really has little to do with it.
Comment: South Carolina is NOT 'Liberal'. South Carolina is NOT 'Progressive'. It is foolish for Liberals/Progressives to 'enforce' their sense of values or morality upon South Carolina, otherwise Fort Sumter will be fired-upon once again. Its the Deep South, it is very conservative, it is the Bible Belt, and it will NOT embrace Homosexuality or those who practice it any more than Provincetown, MA embraces heterosexuality. To attempt to do so only asks for trouble. Many Southerners will not sacrifice thier core values/beliefs for the 'almighty dollar' - there is no 'almighty dollar' in the Bible Belt - there is the 'almighty Jesus', and as far as he's concerned, Gays are not to be catered-to.
Comment: From what I heard from both gay and straight friends who have visited Provincetown, MA, heterosexuality is accepted just as homosexuality and lesbianism is. Maybe it because they are actually intelligent human beings and not mindless religious drones.
On the other hand, I have never been there, and not because I am heterosexual but because it is too far to drive there, and I have had my fill of Cape Cod with Hyannis and Hyannisport. There are other places I would rather visit. But not South Carolina. Who wants to be where a bunch of mindless religious fools are.
And of course there is an "almighty dollar" in the bible belt. Many of the most well known bible belt preachers are greedy corrupt thieves.
Comment: Too bad that South Carolina hasn't the insight or foresight to recognize a huge possible windfall in tourism revenue. In this sagging economy in which fewer and fewer people are traveling for vacations, the income from gays and lesbians from other states and countries could be a boon the state's depressed travel industry. It is sad that the conservatives who followed and still emulate the likes of Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms are so filled with hatred and bigotry that they would destroy the SC economy rather than embrace other human beings.
Comment: Ian Johnson, CEO of Out Now here.
We were not contacted by your journalists, but we do have several media releases already out where you can easily read Out Now's comments on this situation.
Key amongst those remarks would be the fact that with 5% of South Carolinian taxpayers likely to be gay or lesbian - who each year account for more than $500,000 of the State's total taxpayer funded $10.5 million annual tourism budget - this 'outrage' over spending less than $5,000 of taxpayer funds to target the gay travel market seems not at all about money, and more about politicians chasing conservative votes.
The major problem here was that politicians decided they were not going to let their tourism agency staff do their jobs - to increase tourism to South Carolina. The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association values gay travel as being worth more than $60 billion in the US market alone.
The ads work extremely well to attract the attention of those passing by on the escalators in the two or three seconds an ad gets to do that.
Most importantly, Out Now's "So Gay" campaign for Amro Worldwide has been very strongly received by its target audience -- lesbian and gay travelers, and can be expected to strongly increase tourism revenues for those destinations participating. Though South Carolina's politicians have now largely taken that chance away from businesses in their own State, many of which would have appreciated increased gay tourism revenues.
Your readers may learn more on the campaign background, and Out Now's views at Gay Market News http://www.gaymarketnews.com .
One important point, we did not approach South Carolina -- they approached Amro Worldwide and asked to be included. They were the last tourism body to sign on and additional advertising space had to be bought in specifically to accommodate them. The original campaign plans did not include that State.
Thanks for covering Out Now's campaign for Amro Worldwide.
Ian Johnson
CEO, Out Now
http://www.outnowconsulting.com
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