Senator: South Carloina ads promoting Gay Tourism 'simply improper'

State Sen. David Thomas, a Greenville County Republican, said when he was tipped to the state's participation in the ad campaign to attract gay tourists he "thought it was a joke, that this couldn't be true."

Thomas said he objects to advertising to gays because "this is absolutely a subject matter that adheres to a social position and it's simply improper for the state to be going after one social position."

"From my own perspective, it's bad for the state to make such statements about the state, to assert that South Carolina has gay beaches," he said. "I think that sends a cross message when we're saying, 'Come to South Carolina for its family-friendly beaches.'"

The state Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department had joined a campaign tied to gay pride week celebrations in London that included ads saying "South Carolina is so gay." The state tourism agency has now dropped out of the effort.

Atlanta, Boston and New Orleans were also part of the campaign. The state agency said it would not pay a fee of nearly $5,000 to participate in the ad campaign.

Director Chad Prosser says an agency advertising manager had signed off on the contract proposed by the state's London advertising coordinator. Prosser says the agency will require more review of future overseas advertising.

Thomas said he has asked the department for a copy of the advertising contract involved. He said the company the state contracted with specializes in gay travel, so officials should have known the targets of the ads.

"The departm
Senator: Gay ads 'simply improper'
Greenville News, SC