Controversial Gay Equality Ad Upsets DeMint Supporters

Supporters of Sen. Jim DeMint are upset with a new ad challenging the popular conservative on his opposition to gays and lesbians teaching in public schools.

The Alliance for Full Acceptance, a West Ashley-based gay rights advocacy group, produces an annual billboard and television campaign.

In one of three ads this year, AFFA returns to comments DeMint made in his run for Senate in 2004, when the candidate said gays shouldn't be allowed to teach.

In the ad, an announcer asks, "What if you saw this headline: Sen. Jim DeMint: Jews Should Not Teach Public School. … Substitute the word 'gay' and you do."

According to a Post and Courier report, DeMint supporters have called on TV stations to pull the ads.

AFFA executive director Warren Redman-Gress told the paper, "We are really thankful the TV stations see the value in what we’re doing, and, in that first salvo, have stood by us."

A few years ago, AFFA ran a similarly controversial billboard ad with two water fountains labeled "straight" and "gay," a reference to civil rights struggles for African Americans.