The Palmetto Scoop has learned that the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism — a state agency overseen by the Gov. Mark Sanford’s office — is spending an undisclosed amount of its nearly $14 million advertising budget to take part in the “So Gay” campaign, an effort launched in London, England, by the gay marketing agency “Out Now” to lure homosexual tourists to South Carolina and five U.S. cities.
Out Now is dubbing it “the gayest ever mainstream media advertising campaign” in London.
“South Carolinians will be irate when they learn their hard earned tax dollars are being spent to advertise our state as ’so gay,’” Sen. David Thomas (R-Greenville) told The Palmetto Scoop. “South Carolina is a wonderful, family friendly destination not a Southern version of San Francisco. This campaign goes against our core values.”
Thomas said he would be calling for a comprehensive audit of PRT, an agency in the governor’s cabinet.
State Rep. Greg Delleney (R-York), echoed Thomas’ concerns, citing questions over “whether or not the governor or anyone in charge at PRT authorized this expenditure.”
“It’s simply unbelievable that PRT would be using our tax money to promote the homosexual lifestyle,” said Delleney.
Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer could not be reached for comment.
But Kirsty Dillury, a spokesperson for South Carolina Tourism, called the “So Gay” campaign an important one.
“South Carolina has a lot to offer gay travelers, and we think that people may be surprised to see our destination reaching out to the gay market,” Dillury said in aJune 27 press release. “We are delighted to be involved with the ‘So Gay’ campaign in particular as it sends a powerful positive message to everyone that there is nothing wrong at all with a destination being described as ’so gay.’”
Dillury continued, “For our gay visitors it is actually quite wonderful for them to discover just how much South Carolina has to offer — from stunning plantation homes to miles of wide sandy beaches.” […]
Read the Palmetto Scoop article
UPDATE (07.11.08):
‘S.C. is so gay’? State says no way
Officials pull overseas ad campaign to lure homosexual tourists
By JOHN O’CONNOR - joconnor@thestate.com
South Carolina is so gay poster
South Carolina’s top tourism agency has canceled an overseas advertising campaign targeting gay tourists.
The campaign, tied to gay pride week celebrations in London, included ads that proclaimed “South Carolina is so gay.” A handful of other U.S. destinations joined the campaign, including Atlanta, Boston and New Orleans. Read the State Article
I find it a bit hard to see how this can be something you are against.
If 5% or so of the taxpayers dollars in SC are contributed by gay people, there has to be an equity argument that whatever was spent on this one little English tourism campaign is too small.
If gay people pay 5% of the SC taxes, then gay people in SC surely have the right to see that percentage of at least 5% of tourism annual budget spent on targeting ‘fellow travelers’ in the expenditure of the SC tourism budget allocation.
The other argument I think you are not contemplating is whether the hundreds of hotel-keepers, restaurants and souvenir shops in places like Charleston, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach — many owned by your voters — think you are right. Their revenues I expect depend upon the gay market.
What will you say to them if gay people stop coming to SC because of your remarks?
Most surveys I read suggest a majority of Americans support equal treatment and respect for gay people.
Your position seems overtly political to me.
Who cares man? Are you that blinded by your hate for people that are different than you or don’t share your religious views (which is where this stems from, don’t deny it.)
Grow up dude…
Senator Bryant simply posts some articles with absolutely no comment of his own and the PC crowd goes ballistic. Better recalibrate your gadar heterophobe!
Are they going to let the rest of us know where the “gay beaches” are, as advertised on the poster? I have lived here all of my life and I don’t think I knew there were any.
Ask Marshall Meadors where the gay beaches are. I am sure he knows. He supports gay marriage. Although he hasn’t been married himself. Hmmm….
The way to end all of this confusion is for all males to marry other males and all women to marry women. No more off spring. It would be settled. No problem. DUDE.
@Political Correct Police Not
Are you saying that Mr. Bryant doesn’t endorse the viewpoint of that which he posts “without comment”. I’d say posting it in the first place is his “comment”.
Kevin Bryant you are a biggot…