FLORIDA: Clear Channel Rejects Billboards From St. Petersburg Pride

Media giant Clear Channel has rejected two of the four billboards purchased to promote St. Petersburg, Florida's gay pride event. Only the billboards in which the models appear physically affectionate (the top two above) were rejected.

In an email to Clear Channel Outdoor, St. Pete Pride Executive Director Chris Rudisill wrote, "the images that were not selected do not contain anything that is sexual, immoral, illegal or otherwise offensive in nature." "I'm almost certain that you have had billboards in the market which display men and women in both friendly and romantic ways," he continued. "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." St. Pete Pride is preparing to host its eighth annual festival to promote unity and a positive image of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people around Tampa Bay. In past years, Clear Channel has edited St. Pete Pride's submitted messages, but this year, the organization says it submitted much-less controversial billboards. "St. Pete Pride is determined to focus its message on the family aspect of the GLBT community," said Rudisill in a press release. "Therefore, (we) would not allow Clear Channel to dictate what message we could convey."

Clear Channel refuses to discuss their decision.