'So Gay' Tourist Ad Stirs Flap in South Carolina

Negative reaction to posters could hurt tourism industry

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 17, 2008 12:01 PM CDT

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'So Gay' Tourist Ad Stirs Flap in South Carolina — Protesters from the South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement, lead by Bruce Coverse, front, march silently outside the Township Auditorium, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

"South Carolina is so gay," announce posters in the London Underground. Part of an advertising campaign targeting visitors to London's gay pride events, the posters have set off a backlash in South Carolina, drawing sharp criticism from senator David Thomas and resulting in the resignation of a state staffer involved in the ad campaign, reports the Greenville News.

The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism said it would refuse to pay the $5,000 ad bill. But the negative backlash could cost the state even more. "In a time like this when the economy is on everyone’s mind, we should be looking for ways to boost tourism dollars, not hinder them or shut them down," said one activist. (More gays stories.)

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