Energy vs. Experience: DC gay group revises focus over bus controversy; Ads removed tonight anyway
”We posted the draft letter in the spirit of organizational transparency, to raise public awareness about the ads and to encourage community feedback on the matter. We regret not clarifying that the letter was a draft and that our intention was to gather community input before deciding how to move forward…. Our intent was not to contest Stand for Marrige DC`s right to freedom of speech but rather to express our dismay at the content of their message as well as WAMATA’s decision to allow discriminatory messages on publicly funded buses. ”
Taken from of a post by Full Equality Now! DC. They appear to be a fairly new group made up of younger gay rights organizers who previously participated in efforts to bring the National Equality March to the Capitol’s steps on October 11, 2009. FENDC has expressed concern that a Washington-area religious organization,Stand For Marriage DC, has placed large, offensive advertisements on the sides of public Metro buses. The ads call for a voter referendum to repeal gay marriage in the District of Columbia. FENDC had originally posted a passionate letter on its website meant for Washington Metro‘s General Manager, John Catoe. The draft of the letter made several strong arguments against the acceptance of the ad, but they added in: “We demand that WMATA remove all advertisements posted by Stand for Marriage DC….” Members of FENDC are listed on the group’s Facebook page, and several have spoken at rallies for marriage equality this past year. (Full Equality Now! DC)
In response to FENDC, a number of prominent activists from more established organizations (the GLAA, Stein Democrats & ACLU) wrote their own letter to WMATA asking for the FENDC demand to be disregarded. They labeled they newer group’s effort as “misguided” on the grounds that freedom of speech is a larger, more important issue. The Board of Directors for Metro, Jim Graham, is also an openly gay member of the DC City Council. Many influential gay bloggers have repeated this story and opinions have fallen on both sides. Most are supporting the freedom of speech argument. However, it should be noted that many of the LGBT community’s adversaries regularly organize massive campaigns to complain to public and corporate entities about pro-gay messages, and typically do so with complete disregard for freedom of speech issues.
”If it’s not lewd, pornographic or obscene then the ad will go up…. Advertising on the Metro system is covered by the same First Amendment rights that cover other such communications in [our] society today.”
Steven Taubenkibel, spokesperson for the DC Metro system regarding some anti-gay marriage ads that have appeared on the sides of WMATA buses this month. According to local NPR station, WAMU, the contract for the ad from Stand for Marriage DC expires today and the ads will come down tonight. (WAMU)
Photo by David Uy / MetroWeekly.comSupport Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
