Of all the people pissed over South Carolina’s squashed “So Gay” ad campaign, perhaps it was Republican Governor Mark Sanford who was the most furious:
[When] Sanford learned that his state was being advertised as a gay tourism destination, he ordered a Cabinet-level department head “to do the right thing personnel-wise or process-wise to ensure this does not happen again,” Sanford’s spokesman Joel Sawyer told Q-Notes.
…
In the Governor’s office, Sawyer said that the state will not promote itself as a tourist destination through campaigns “aimed at a specific group of people.”Sawyer said the “so gay” ad should have been “run up the flagpole,” but did not know whether any standard procedures were violated at the time it was approved.
“It defies common sense that someone would sign off on an advertising campaign that controversial,” Sawyer said.
Sorry, Sawyer, but we’ll have to disagree with you on that one. What defies common sense is that a lawmaker would rebuff millions of potential tourism dollars. But, then again, no one ever side the right was in the right state of mind.
Did we mention that Sanford’s on John McCain short-list for the vice-presidential slot?
villager
Photo Caption: South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford explained at a press conference today that Larry Craig was ‘this big.’
Allen
This is typical. Sanford has been totally useless since day one.
jeffk
What a pr disaster for SC when international tourists visit and find SC not so gay. Good thing they pulled it. What a nightmare gay tourist would have going to SC and finding crosses burning on the porch.
Timothy
Well… to be honest, we do have to admit that signing on to any PR campaign without review or approval is a pretty stupid thing to do. Many states spend big bucks on making sure that they have a cohesive and well designed image.
The “so gay” campaign was stupid, and not just for reasons of the audience it targeted. Selling the civil war and plantations? Come on!
I wouldn’t want my state, California, to sign on and CA actually IS so gay.
And he’s right that some assistant associate nobody should not make decisions regarding a state’s image and name.
foofyjim
If it weren’t for the big blowup by SC officials who were shocked, shocked to find out this campaign was going on, would anyone have known? Does anyone read Out Traveler?
seitan-on-a-stick
No-one reads Out Traveler. Not even gays. South Carolina is a fly-over state.
mark
WRITE SC Dept.of Tourism
Those folks know what it costs a State to get on OUR SH*T LIST. btw SC, when LGBTs don’t feel welcome, our non LGBT friends and family won’t feel welcome EITHER.
Good thing the economy is so TERRIFIC, you won’t even notice other States getting our dollars, or our Companies not investing in your State…whew did you luck out!
Charley
He’s afraid someone will spill the beans on Miss priss Lindsey Graham, the queer S.C. Senator. In his 50’s, when questioned about being unmarried stated, “I just haven’t found the right girl yet.” He is another Larry Craig toilet queer scandal waiting to happen, only he would be flat down on the toilet floor waiting to get fucked in the ass South Carolina style.
WilliamKyler
South Carolina…. probably most NOT so gay state in the union. I would say that for the sake of all gays safety it is good that this campaign ended. I don’t even like driving through the state on my way to Florida.
Charley
If they had “gay marriage” in South Carolina then the campaign would have had some footing. It’s more like wishful thinking wearing blinders, that South Carolina is progressive. It is a redneck, rebel flag flying state, not to mention the homophobic black and white big mouthed pastors who hate our guts.
AZgaybe
gay haters have no boundries- red or blue it has GAYS. Some swoosh when they walk and some dont.
Forrest
I grew up on Hilton Head and attended The College of Charleston. I came out when I was young and had no issues. Granted, Hilton Head and Charleston mostly don’t conform to the rest of the state. Although the state capital of Columbia where Sanford sits recently passed a nondiscrimination housing and employee policy by unanimous vote on City Council. Mayor Coble of Columbia is very gay supportive.
Mayor Joe Riley of Charleston is publicly supporting the longshot congressional campaign of lesbian Linda Ketner.
Clearly, SC is not a liberal state and never will be but it has a large gay community and we need your support not contempt and ridicule. Not every gay person can or wants to live in New York or SF.
Why can’t some of you understand that?
Mr C
Forrest,
We can understand that clearly. But you answer this for me. Why is this state so DAMN RACIST and BIAS. Why they can’t get over losing the Civil War that this confederate flag means so much to them?
What is so good for YOU to be gay and grow up in such an enviorment.
Are you proud about that?
Mr C
Then again Forrest,
I understand what you are saying about the Mayors, or Charlesdton, and Columbia. But the overall feeling of people from SC anti-Gay, Racist Rhetoric, etc
I must ask again What is so good for YOU to be gay and grow up in such an enviorment?
Please expand on it.
Forrest
I don’t see what’s hard to understand. It’s home. I don’t approve of the state’s racist history. But the reality is that we are the cradle of the confederacy and change here will be slow but will come. This does not mean I should move. We all have free will to go somewhere else. But many believe that it’s important to stay and show that we won’t be scared away by ignorance and hatred. This mindset may be hard to understand to those who have not lived outside of the Northeast or West coast and have not had to deal with tangible opposition.
FWIW, Charleston does have a “gay beach” on the north end of Folly Beach, a barrier island just outside town. Been a gathering spot for years and years.
greybat
Good for you, Forrest! See you at the beach.
Ian Johnson, Out Now CEO
Forrest, you make all the stress we have been through with the SC issue worthwhile.
You stay there and stand up.
That is what makes our future.
My utmost respect to you,
Ian Johnson
CEO, Out Now
http://www.OutNowConsulting.com
Mr C
Forrest,
I just asked, Thanks for your answer.
My Dad is from Charleston and they all still love it.
I went for a visit and the people there are not so friendly at all to Blacks and I am assuming the ones who live there are use to it and deal with. I just couldn’t do that.
Just like when the Black bikers come to Myrtle Beach Memorial Day weekend the state police are never nice to them.
The Palmetto State might have it’s beauty and all but the hate there is LOUD and PROUD, and CLEAR.
And as far as the Confederate Flag is concerned.
Why praise a flag over a war they lost concerning slavery?????