Pro-Homosexual Theater Ads 'Activist Indoctrination,' Says Canadian Group
by Chad Groening
February 10, 2005
(AgapePress) - A Canadian pro-family organization is calling for the boycott of a major movie theater chain in that country over its decision to allow an in-theater ad that promotes same-sex "marriage."
Canada appears on the verge of legalizing homosexual marriage. A small majority of Parliament is leaning toward supporting a government bill that would do just that. Leading up to that vote, it now appears the debate over the statute has reached the silver screen.
Famous Players Theaters, which boasts over 90 locations and more than 800 screens across Canada, is allowing a pro-homosexual group to air its advertisement to patrons who are waiting to view a movie. The ad states that "'I do' is the same whether you're gay or straight," and it urges patrons to let members of Parliament know "you support Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedom."
Brian Rushfeldt, executive director of the Canada Family Action Coalition, calls that "activist indoctrination" aimed at a captive audience.
"[Parents] are sitting there with their children, out for an entertaining movie, and all of a sudden there's homosexual propaganda coming on," Rushfeldt says, explaining the dilemma it poses. "As one person [asked], 'What do I do? Cover my kid's eyes and ears instantly to try and keep him from this? If it was on TV we'd flip the [channel], but we have no choice here.'"
The pro-family leader says the ad is running as a short "forerunner clip" to every movie in every Famous Players theater in Canada. "They said it's going to run its course whether we like it or not," he adds. "What that means is they will not say how long they are going to be running it."
And Rushfeldt has no doubt why the ads are appearing now -- or who is behind them. "The timing of it is totally planned," he says. "A homosexual activist group here in Canada called 'Equal Marriage' [is identified as the sponsor] of that ad that comes into the theaters, so they are involved in it."
According to Rushfeldt, Famous Players is basically giving the homosexual ads away -- but will not give his organization the same consideration.
"We suggested that we be given free time to run a counter ad to that," he says. "We were told no, that if we wanted to buy time [we] could buy it like any other advertiser. They declined to further discuss it with us -- so we announced that we would boycott."
Famous Players Theaters is owned by Viacom Canada, Inc., the Canadian arm of the large media conglomerate Viacom, which also owns such media outlets as MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Infinity Broadcasting, and Comedy Central.
Chad Groening, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
