On-Topic Gay couple's wedding photo used for anti-gay attack ad

[JayQueer]

Towleroad & the Denver Post report that Brian Edwards and Tom Privitere, a gay married couple from New Jersey discovered recently that their wedding photo (of them kissing) was used, without their permission, for an anti-gay attack against Republicans who voted in favor of civil unions in Colorado.

Sadly, the anti-gay mailers may have worked. Both of the pro-gay Republicans targeted lost their election efforts in Colorado's recent primaries.

The anti-gay organization called "Public Advocate of the United States," is based out of Washington DC and is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The president of the "Public Advocate" is Eugene Delgaudio, an elected official in Loudoun County, Virginia. Eugene Delgaudio is one of the most viciously anti-gay elected politicians in the U.S.

Here is the original photo, taken 2 years ago:

Here is the photo used for the attack ads, which was a mailer sent out by postal mail. The New York City skyline has been replaced by more rural landscapes of Colorado. The back of the card urges the recipient to take a stand against the "homosexual lobby" and "those who want to destroy traditional marriage."

Here is the article from the Denver Post:

Gay couple's image used in political attacks in Colorado races

The couple in the photo have also discussed the recent events in their blog:

The Gay Wedding Experience » “Public Advocate of the United States” Steal a Kiss – And it’s Gay


I hope the photographer AND the gay couple SUE, SUE, SUE the heck out of Eugene Delgaudio and his anti-gay organization. They certainly have a strong legal case. The photos were copyrighted, and they were the intellectual property of the photographer.

Essentially the anti-gay people stole what was supposed to be a joyous moment in those two men's lives, and they turned it into an attack ad. The intent of the altered photograph was clearly to make the intended recipients in Colorado disgusted by the image of 2 men kissing.

 

[Telstra]

.
Is it legal to use the photo without permission ?

 

[Corny]

Well, it is your party of choice ..

 

[rareboy]

Hey Jayqueer.

These are the Republicans you believe in. Aren't you one of the ones who is always saying that gay stuff isn't the important issue in choosing what party you feel represents your interests?

Well. Deal with it then.

 

[Telstra]

ummm maybe Jayqueer is slowly against anti-gay issues.
So it is better to discuss issue by issue ...

 

[jackoroe]

Hey Jayqueer.

These are the Republicans you believe in. Aren't you one of the ones who is always saying that gay stuff isn't the important issue in choosing what party you feel represents your interests?

Well. Deal with it then.

The individual politicians the ads were aimed at were republicans as well. They supported us.

 

[rareboy]

^ And somehow this makes it better?

These are the fellow travellers that all homo Republicans need to understand have taken control of the discussion and the party.

I appreciate that the people being targetted do not deserve this and that they took the principled and logical stand.

The problem is that from the national level down...or the grassroots up, the Republican/Tea Party is so structurally and vocally homophobic that it is beyond any redemption. This kind of talibangelical shit in order to get more fundies elected to government under the banner of the GOP is proof of that.

 

[Stardreamer]

If there is one constant in the universe it is change. Republican candidates and groups that have read the change in the wind with the American public and 'come out' in support gay rights should be encouraged if we ever want the real freedom for gays in America.

 

[jackoroe]

^ And somehow this makes it better?

These are the fellow travellers that all homo Republicans need to understand have taken control of the discussion and the party.

I appreciate that the people being targetted do not deserve this and that they took the principled and logical stand.

The problem is that from the national level down...or the grassroots up, the Republican/Tea Party is so structurally and vocally homophobic that it is beyond any redemption. This kind of talibangelical shit in order to get more fundies elected to government under the banner of the GOP is proof of that.

The very existence of the two republican candidates who support us tends to debunk your blanket assertion, doesn't it? In terms of the Tea Party, here's their platform. I may have missed the homophobic part. Why not highlight if from the attached link for us?

Tea Party Movement Platform

 

[archive]

The very existence of the two republican candidates who support us tends to debunk your blanket assertion, doesn't it? In terms of the Tea Party, here's their platform. I may have missed the homophobic part. Why not highlight if from the attached link for us?

Tea Party Movement Platform

Oh right, racist say they're racist, and homophobes say they're homophobes. While I do applaud the two senators, it was their own party the kneecapped them. Stop dancing around that concrete fact.

 

[Rolyo85]

It is a fact that a few lonely voices - though a good thing - are easy to drown. And for a homophobic platform feel free to check the Texas GOP...

 

[White Eagle]

Jackoroe, I'm sure you are aware that in the internet you can find anything to fit your ideas. As an example you need to read my link.
And as an above quote, I applaud the 2 Senators that support the LGBT.

Tea Party Shows Its Anti-Gay, Bigotry Hand | Addicting Info

Tea Party Shows Its Anti-Gay, Bigotry Hand
July 27, 2011
By Joseph Ascanio

For over a year, Tea Party supporters, activists and demonstrators have touted their supposedly pro-America, anti-Big-Government-taxes sentiments as being the fundamental keys to their masses.

Yet, over and over again, evidence has piled up against the Party for its racist, homophobic and religiously intolerant rhetoric even as they claim such evidence does not exist.

 

[JayHawk]

Good lord.

I realize often the OP puts things onto the forum that are worthy of ripping the man apart. This is really not one of them. As Gay men and women we should support anyone who supports us. The current situation in Colorado could have meant only a republican could run to be for gay rights.

It really bothers me when people get their panties all twisted up because of the poster and not the issue. That means not only do you not bother to read items from a poster but that the aperture is so narrow you can only see one reality. That is sad.

On the OP? I sincerely hope they crush whomever stole this picture and get a return for their effort. The fact that most political operatives have a legal background should be further evidence that this was done maliciously and with all known copyright law being violated. I fear however that most copyright law is based not only on what it was used for and number of times but how much the owner could have expected to have earned from the photo. Being a wedding photo then it would be not very much.

Good show JQ. Although i suspect the majority of the folks you defend regularly would have no issue with the illegal abuse. These kind of republicans are what we need to reshape that party.

 

[rareboy]

Oh right, racist say they're racist, and homophobes say they're homophobes. While I do applaud the two senators, it was their own party the kneecapped them. Stop dancing around that concrete fact.

Exactly this.

The Republican Party spends enough time trumpeting its homophobic horns without the clarion call of opposition from the GOPoliticians who huddle together under the tent to support my argument...the Republican Party and Tea Party talibangelicals are structurally homophobic.

Yeah it was nice that these two stood up and took a stand....but it was indeed their very own party gunning after them.

And why is it that this is hard for some to understand?

And Jayhawk:

Good show JQ. Although i suspect the majority of the folks you defend regularly would have no issue with the illegal abuse. These kind of republicans are what we need to reshape that party

So we all get a lecture and then you still agree with us?

 

[JayHawk]

What is sad is the stance of the republicans in Colorado who are not talbangelicals or GOProud members. Just folks desiring to offer gay marriage who were systematically destroyed by falsely and illegally using the touching moment between two gay men. It is sad that folks feel it necessary to rip and shred instead of bringing them along side and making an alliance. Eventually the entire stance of the republican party will change to reflect reality of the American people. Casting off those that support us simply delays that change.

What I find sad is the unwillingness to offer support of the poster who gets ass pummeled when he post something that normally others would agree with on CE&P. So then it becomes a discussion of the poster and not of the issue. That is sad.

One would think encouraging good behavior or welcoming opinions that coincide with the majority opinion on here would be a benefit. I do understand that some folks have an inability to discuss the issues based on their past interactions with the poster. I just disagree that doing so benefits anyone but the folks complaining. I would rather bring fifty people to my cause than feel superior over one. But that's just my point of view.

 

[JayHawk]

I disagree with beating JQ when he post something worthwhile. It should be encouraged. I shudder to think what each of you would look like if every past decision were the basis for any future growth.

 

[archive]

I disagree with beating JQ when he post something worthwhile. It should be encouraged. I shudder to think what each of you would look like if every past decision were the basis for any future growth.

I was personally taking issue with jack rather than JQ. I only have no qualms about what he posted. I hope that couple wins a ridiculous amount of money. However, it does sicken me how certain posters play fast and loose. This would have been a bigger story a democratic arm had done it rather than a Republican one. So it just becomes a "oh, yeah, what else is new" story. It is very hard to play with a petulant child who wants everyone's ball but their own.

 

[JayHawk]

I wasn't going at you directly. I just noticed the overall theme was not the topic but seeing who could beat JQ the quickest for having the audacity of making a pro gay post. The nerve right?

I really wish we could set the example of inclusion and discussion on these boards and then take the argument and discussion away from here to convince others. I love doing it everyday with my cohorts who come from a variety of backgrounds. I may not convince everyone but I definitely always leave them with something to think about besides the mantra of one party.

Anyways I digress....

Cheers.

 

[jackoroe]

Jackoroe, I'm sure you are aware that in the internet you can find anything to fit your ideas. As an example you need to read my link.
And as an above quote, I applaud the 2 Senators that support the LGBT.

Tea Party Shows Its Anti-Gay, Bigotry Hand | Addicting Info

I've looked at not only the links but the links in the links. The left mantra is that they're nothing but racist homophobes. That's a tough argument to make when they manage to elect two black congressman, so your left with the homophobe argument. The links in your link have the Tea Party pointing out, as the president has, that gay marriage is a states rights issue.

Why is it so difficult for the left to discuss why government should be held to within the confines that the Constitution has set for it? The discussion as to whether we want smaller, less intrusive government or a more massive, oppressive bureaucracy that stifles personal freedom? Those are the issues facing us.

As to the OP, if there's been a copyright violation, I hope that couple sues the asses off of the people responsible for desecrating their celebration.

 

[JayHawk]

So you figure it isn't believable for a person to change their political views?

Particularly a young gay man in a repressive home environment?

Well I guess we should go ahead and close CE&P. What's the point of a discussion if we are not going to change anyone's opinion?