Gay Today: World

Controversial Gay Ad
Banned by New Zealand TV

'Leave Cruisers Alone!'
Say London's Mayoral Candidates

Gay Spanish Classes Offered

By Rex Wockner
International News Report

Controversial Gay Ad
Banned by New Zealand TV

The New Zealand network TV3/TV4 refused to air ads for the gay magazine OUT! during local broadcast of the groundbreaking 10- part British series Queer As Folk March 8.

The network is owned by the Canadian company CANWEST.

Scene from Queer as Folk

TV3/TV4's public-relations manager, Michele Camilleri, told Wockner News the ads had been rated for post-midnight-only viewing by the Television Commercial Approvals Bureau (TCAB), and that it is network policy to "usually" follow the bureau's recommendations.

Camilleri added: "We are the only network in New Zealand that would commit to screening Queer As Folk so it's a little unfair [to pick on us]. We have to follow the TCAB."

OUT! Publisher Tony Katavich told Wockner News he had no idea how the ads caused offense -- "and they don't have to tell us."

The ads were merely still slides of the magazine's cover, he said. The magazine often features shirtless models on its cover.

Camilleri was unable to describe the banned ads.

Queer As Folk itself contains very explicit sex and language.

For example, when one character comes out to his parents and his young nephews, he says:

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Related Sites:
Queer as Folk

Frank Dobson for Mayor

GayToday does not endorse related sites.

"I'm queer. I'm gay. I'm homosexual. I'm a poof, I'm a poofter, I'm a ponce. I'm a bum-boy, batty-boy, backside-artist bugger. I'm bent. I am that arse bandit, I lift those shirts. I'm a faggot-assed, fudge-packin', shit- stabbin' uphill gardener. I dine at the downstairs restaurant, I dance at the other end of the ballroom. I'm Moses and the parting of the red cheeks. I fuck and I'm fucked. I suck and I'm sucked. I rim them and wank them, and every single man's had the fuckin' time of his life. And I am not a pervert."

Camilleri said some of the language and sex scenes had to be edited to meet New Zealand broadcast TV standards.

'Leave Cruisers Alone!' Say London Mayoral Candidates

All three candidates for mayor of London said March 5 that police should cease harassment and arrests of men who have discreet sex in washrooms, darkened parks and other cruising locations.

In a meeting at the National Film Theatre sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian London Group, Labour's Frank Dobson said: "If they [the cops] are wasting their time roaming around public lavatories or raiding clubs, they ought to have something better to do. It is the voyeur element which drives people on. They should not need to wear a uniform to do it."

Labour candidate Frank Dobson

Liberal Democrat Susan Kramer said, "We have to recognize when we allow little bits of intolerance, that begins to legitimize discrimination which at its extreme end leads to homophobia and hate crimes."

Tory Steve Norris said: "I am personally upset by police intervention in perfectly consensual arrangements. I also believe the Met disciplinary code should be amended so that internal homophobic activity is dealt with in the same way as racist offenses."

London's some half million gays and lesbians are considered an important voting bloc in the upcoming election.

Gay Spanish Classes Offered

The CETLALIC Alternative Spanish Language School in Cuernavaca, Mexico, is offering programs for gays and lesbians this summer.

Among much else, the three-week programs include Spanish classes, gay-culture studies, field trips, housing with local gays, and participation in Mexico City's Gay Cultural Month and its 23rd Gay Pride March.

There are separate tracks for men and women. Both run from June 11-30. For more information, e-mail cetlalic@mail.giga.com or visit www.giga.com/~cetlalic.