Tuesday, February 04, 2014

London mayor to be investigated for ban on ad critical of homosexuality

The Court of Appeal of England and Wales has ordered a lower court to investigate whether the mayor of London improperly used his authority in personally intervening to ban a bus advertisement critical of homosexuality, according to a Press Association report. 

The proposed advertisement stated, “Not Gay! Ex-Gay, Post-Gay and Proud. Get over it!” 

It was intended as a response to a bus advertising campaign that stated, “Some people are gay. Get over it!'” 

The Christian Legal Centre, which defended the organization that proposed the advertisement, welcomed the decision as “one of the most significant in recent times in ensuring that powers are exercised by politicians properly.” 

The court, however, also ruled that Transport for London could ban the advertisement on the grounds that it is likely to cause offense, so long as proper procedures are followed in banning it.