Equality law ad sparks gay rights anger

Gay rights campaigners are urging the Advertising Standards Authority to investigate a “discriminatory” and “inflammatory” ad from a Christian group.

More than 15 complaints have been lodged with the advertising watchdog since the advert from Coherent and Cohesive Voice ran this week in The Times newspaper. The advert urges people to write to communities secretary Ruth Kelly and equality minister Meg Munn to oppose new equality laws and seek “religious exemptions”.

They claim that legislation, which is due to be implemented in April, represents an “act against freedom of conscience”.

Coherent and Cohesive Voice claims that the law will force hotels to supply rooms to transsexuals and will make schools promote civil partnerships.

However, campaigners such as Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill, who argued for the legislation, are urging people to complain to the ASA. He says the ad is a sign of “increasing desperation” and contains “a string of lies”.

The ASA says it is looking to see if there are grounds for an investigation.