Clear Channel Blocks Pride Billboards

Billboard behemoth Clear Channel Outdoor rejected two advertisements that are part of a four-part campaign to promote St. Petersburg, Fla.'s gay pride celebration.

One of the ads featured two men without shirts, with the copy reading, "My Family is Fun." The other billboard shows a lesbian couple at the beach, with copy that reads, "My Family is Free."

According to WTSP News, St. Petersburg Pride Executive Director Chris Rudisill wrote an email to Clear Channel Outdoor executives following the decision.

"I'm almost certain that you have had billboards in the market which display men and women in both friendly and romantic ways," he wrote. "I can't seem to understand where these images would be any different, except for the fact that they portray two men and two women, respectively."

In eight years of St. Pete Pride, Clear Channel has reportedly censored or edited their advertisements, but this year, the organization offered up comparatively tamer ads. Clear Channel Outdoor told WTSP, "as a matter of policy, we don't discuss creative decisions on signage."

The Pride festival is sponsored by several large corporations, like Bank of America, Tropicana, and Macy's.

The full campaign is available here.