S.C. Gay Group Picks Up Tab for British Ad Campaign

As a citizen of South Carolina I'd like to say that the point of 'paying the bill' is not to actually let the government off the hook. They are still bound by a contract and could be taken to court. The point is to 'pay our tab' if you will to the gay community. We hope to show that there are gay people in this state and that we are intent on moving towards equality. Columbia SC just became only the third city in the South to pass a law so that GLBT people can't be refused housing (purchases, rentals, hotels) because of their orientation or gender identity. We have an extremely gay friendly Mayor, Sheriff (he even appeared in drag) and GLBT community center. Yes, we have a long way to go, but our state is at least moving in the right direction. That is the point of this campaign. Ps. Don't feel bad for those of us here in SC. We know we're on the front lines, and thats the way we like it!

I think it is outrageous that the South Carolina Pride Movement is paying for the ad. Don't they have better things to do with $5000? Let the ad company sue the state for welshing on its debts.

If the state government of South Carolina were worried about their image portrayed in the "so gay" campaign, I have to wonder how they will feel about the image that their choice to default is creating for them now. The whole purpose of building tourism is to show an open welcoming attitude. This state's government doesn't seem to even welcome its own citizens. I would be proud to be a part of the gay community in SC after their classy reaction while being bashed by their political leaders.

As a masc, muscular, tall, hick redneck from the south who grew up in a junk filled yard I like SC even if the people are hold crazy homophobic beliefs. Living in the UK I was plesantly surprised by the ad. Ashame that the SC Govenor is not a man of his word or gentleman's honor. It is he who is not a a true southerner.

way to GO! This is INTEGRITY, dudes! Christian Family Values, even! Keeping one's word and contracts? What a RADICAL idea! Govt could learn a lesson here, if "good ol' boy"/ Pharisee traditions could be set aside ("And God blinded them, that they might not see"). OK, I got carried away. Oooh-rahh!

Who would want to go to South Carolina anyway? Sure they have Charleston but other than that it is a bunch of swamps, golf (yawn), racist, biggest, bible thumpers and good-ol’ southern charm. Message to the UK, or any European tourist considering a visit to the States; visit the north east and mid Atlantic states, do not bother going below Washington D.C. Additionally, the west coast is a beautiful and progressive place, there are a few islands of tolerance in between the coasts such as Chicago or Taos New Mexico. Unfortunately, the citizens of the southern states, as well as most of the interior of this country, for the most part are crazy. That’s why your countries encouraged them to leave Europe in the last couple of centuries. Now they have multiplied. They are the ones who gave us George W. Bush not once but twice. The silver lining for Europeans is the dollar is now worthless and you can shop till you drop on our shores.

I think SC Pride Movement is letting the South Carolina government off the hook. Gays and lesbians pay taxes in that state too and should expect their government to have the good sense to do the right thing. If they don't, they should be taken to task for it and somebody should be run out of office. The idiots who pulled out of the campaign should be made to see that the tourist dollars they would take in far surpass the money on that advertisement. But private citizens should not be cleaning up after some public official's bigotted mess.

Why would anybody, gay or non-gay, want to spend time or money in a place like South Carolina. I empathize with anyone stuck there. Only place worse would be Jesse Helms' North Carolina. But he at least is now gone. Good for the fine people in the S.C. Pride Movement there.

Does this surprise anyone??? Too bad the state of South Carolina doesn't keep its word. Kudos to the Pride folks for doing the right thing. We ought to start a nationwide letter writing campaign to the Governor, letting him know the outrage of the LGBT community and also the loss of revenue the state will sustain due to the loss of LGBT tourist dollars. That loss alone, will greatly exceed the $5,000 on which the state has welched.

A deft PR move and a classy one to boot. All Pride orgs around the country should take note.