Minneapolis Paper Runs Anti-Trans Ad

Full-page People Against Transgendered People ad in Strib sports section. Mankato-based Child Protection LeagueAction pic.twitter.com/JuWhzK5W0C
— David Brauer (@dbrauer) September 28, 2014

Via Minneapolis City Pages:

Yesterday, the Star Tribune upset many of its LGBT-friendly readers by running an anti-transgender ad paid for by the Minnesota Child Protection League. The ad urges parents to contact Minnesota State High School League officials ahead of a meeting later this week and ask them not to approve a new policy that would allow transgender students to participate in athletics based on their gender identity. A report on the thecolu.mn website describes the MCPL as "A group of veteran religious right and tea party activists" who were active opposing the anti-bullying Safe and Supportive Schools Act before it was signed into law earlier this year. The report notes that the group's lead spokesperson is Barb Anderson, founder of the Parents Action League. To give you an idea of where the MCPL is coming from, consider that Anderson once said, "The greatest threat to our freedom and the health and well-being of our children is from this radical homosexual agenda that is just so pervasive."

The Star Tribune responds to complaints:

If you were doing a story on how media of all kinds (broadcast, print, digital) handle campaign and advocacy advertising, I'd consider how we could contribute to the conversation. But I don't think that's what you're doing. In Minnesota, organizations and individuals of all kinds -- left, right, other -- know that if you want to reach the largest audience and have the biggest impact with your message, the best way to do it is advertising in the Star Tribune.