CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A federal appeals court on Friday revived a lawsuit by the Colorado Springs-based Christian group Focus on the Family against a Florida public bus system that refused to advertise the organization's antigay conference. The 11th circuit U.S. court of appeals ruled that a federal judge in Tampa, Fla., erred when he threw out the group's 2001 lawsuit against the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The appeals court said Focus on the Family can pursue its claim of First Amendment violations. The bus system had refused to allow the group to advertise its Love Won Out convention in St. Petersburg, Fla. "This is a great victory--we are elated," said Tom Minnery, vice president of public policy for the group. Neither the attorney for the bus system nor its executive director returned phone calls requesting comment. While private companies can usually reject advertising they don't want, the question in this case was whether a government entity working through a private company can do so. The transit company had a contract with an advertising company, Eller Media, which owns and manages 500 bus shelters. The two split the advertising revenues, but the transit company holds the final say on all advertisements placed on the shelters. Eller Media isn't named in the lawsuit. Focus on the Family wanted to advertise its February 2000 conference promoting its theory that homosexuality can be "prevented" or overcome through prayer and religious practice. Minnery said such conferences are held in about five cities nationwide each year and that about 25,000 people have attended 25 or so Love Won Out conferences. Pinellas County is the only place in the nation where conference advertisements have been banned, he said. Focus on the Family was refunded the nearly $5,000 it paid to have posters installed in the bus shelters before the seminar. The group sued, arguing that the government cannot limit advertising because it fears the message might offend some. Erik Stanley, attorney for the Orlando-based Liberty Counsel, which is representing Focus on the Family, said the case is significant because it also addresses the "privatization" of government functions. "What the case really says is, the government can't hide behind a private company when it violates the Constitution," he said.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
30 Steamy Photos of Folsom Street Fair 2023 Debauchery
October 15 2023 11:06 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
'Florida has a First Amendment problem' — judge rules trans teacher can use 'Ms.'
April 10 2024 6:33 PM
Here's why soccer fans are booing USWNT player Korbin Albert
April 10 2024 6:26 PM
Trans and nonbinary migrants file complaint over treatment at ICE detention facility
April 10 2024 6:00 PM
X likely profited from promoted post calling for LGBTQ+ death penalty
April 10 2024 3:11 PM
Giselle Byrd is taking center stage — and helping others do the same
April 10 2024 2:15 PM
How Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter advances equality
April 10 2024 1:39 PM
The North Face faces conservative boycott for sponsoring a queer summer camp (exclusive)
April 10 2024 8:26 AM