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Subject of an apology from the National Post, transphobic ad makes its way into the Toronto Sun
Only two days after the National Post issued an apology for running what was widely considered to be a transphobic advertisement from an organization that calls itself the Institute for Canadian Values, a similar version has appeared in today's Toronto Sun. Although not identical, the features of the ad that the Post characterized as unacceptable in its apology remain in place.
"Where the ads exceeded the bounds of civil discourse was in their tone and manipulative use of a picture of a young girl; in the suggestion that such teaching "corrupts" children, with everything that such a charge implies; and in their singling out of groups of people with whose sexuality the group disagrees," the Post's editors wrote in a note first published online on Friday afternoon.
Obviously the Sun doesn't take its cues from the Post, but the decision to go ahead and run this ad after the controversy the initial version caused seems rather brazen. And, to be honest, the slight modifications don't really change its message at all. Thoughts? Are you surprised that the Sun would run this ad? Disappointed?
Update (Monday 4:30 p.m.)
Xtra's Rob Salerno got in touch with the Sun regarding the ad, and although the paper won't apologize for running it in the first place, the publisher says it will not reappear in the paper. "We feel that they've made their point and we've chosen not to run it again," Mike Power told the publication earlier today.
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I've always known them to be a rag, but has it always been this bad?
It's not always religious, some parents just don't want their kids to learn about sex when they're in grade 2. Let kids be kids...sometimes it is that simple.
With that being said, I wonder if they teach this is curriculum outside major urban centres? I live downtown, so I have no doubt its being taught here but you have to wonder if its being taught in places with much less diversity. Now that I think of it, what about places like Thorncliffe Park, where they allow muslim prayer in school.
And Dee - speaking of being understanding, why are you pointing out someone's grammatical errors? Is that the most clever thing you have to say here? Did you consider that maybe English is not their first language?
LS - this is the key problem. People generally are not supportive. Teaching about things like this in school, if done correctly (maybe a big if) is a counterbalance to the messages of fear and hatred the kids might tend to get everywhere else.
Also, read the National Post's apology and you'll see exactly what they were apologizing for in relation to the ad. Those concerns are not addressed by the Sun, which is the issue here.
In other words, with respect, your post here is a straw man argument.
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/67190115?access_key=key-13t6uj6j9t95tl6ft6y0
http://www.scribd.com/doc/67190115/DOC100211-002-A
Warren Kinsella says it's more 'lavender panic' flyering targeted at social conservatives...
... why do people act like the TDSB is teaching kids about explicit sex acts?! we're talking about sexual orientations here, which is NOT the same thing as sex. (duh.) obviously a school board is going to present the topic in an age-appropriate way. there's way more to GLBTQ people than the sex they have... and i'm preeeetty sure no TDSB teacher is using gay porn to explain what gays and lesbians are.... juss sayin.
That, and, really, Ezra Levant is ALREADY confused.
http://www.adstandards.com/en/ConsumerComplaints/howToSubmitAComplaint.aspx
The National Post not only got money for running the ad, but they will continue to get your money for apologizing for it!
It would be kind to say that this ad is about people who underestimate children's ability to understand things. The reality is, they want to mold their children in their own limited belief systems. Some of the above comments prove that many in our society are already indoctrinated by arbitrary rules created thousands of years ago to govern and control the masses like sheep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWj18LeU1g
1. Give the ad to the Post.
2. Get free media from the ensuing furore
3. Give the ad to the Sun and get even more free media.
The Post would likely have rejected the ad if it was in the Sun first.
I understand parents that think this stuff is too complicated for their kids, but I'm pretty sure they start teaching sex-ed around grade 7, so what's wrong if in grade 2 or 3 they read some stories about kids having two moms or dads? I don't get the big upset about all this. If you're religious and this upsets you just put your kids in a religious school.
The thing is, it's completely unecessary to talk about sex when discussing LGBTQ issues. Even with very small children, you can point out how grown-ups have husbands, wives, boyfriends, and girlfriends, and that some men like to have boyfriends while some women like to have girlfriends, and there you go - concept covered!