NBC Chattanooga Refuses To Air Ad About Gay Republican Soldier Who Wants To Get Married

[Newsjock]

Source: BuzzFeed

A television station in Tennessee had no policy about airing commercials on same-sex marriage until executives received a submission this week. The 30-second spot, sponsored by the group Freedom to Marry, features Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, a gay soldier who just returned from a tour of duty working in a trauma hospital in Afghanistan — and wants to marry his partner.

“I’m a Republican, I’m a doctor, and I’m a soldier,” says a voice over by Ehrenfeld as the commercial shows images of him serving in uniform, and back at home with his boyfriend, Judd Taback. “As a military physician, I take care of other people’s loved ones who are wounded in combat. But here at home, I’m fighting a different fight. Because I’m gay, I’m not allowed to marry my partner here in Tennessee where we live.”

... “It’s just a very controversial and personal issue, and we just choose to not air a commercial on either side of that debate,” Tom Tolar, the president and general manager of Chatanooga-based WRCB, told BuzzFeed News in a phone interview.

... When asked if other issue-based commercials also stir an emotional debate, Tolar said simply, “Not really.”

Read more: http://www.buzzfeed.com/dominicholden/tv-station-refuses-to-air-ad-about-gay-republican-soldier-wh

[CurtEastPoint]

1. He needs to stop voting Republican. But I am on his side w/the TV station being asses

and creating a 'policy' out of thin air.

[Exilednight]

2. There's a few things about this ...

1. I hope the good Dr learned something about the party he supports, but doesn't support him.

2. The TV station needs to lose its NBC affiliation. I am sure there are independent networks who would jump at the chance.

3. NBC needs to include in its contracts with affiliates that it will not allow its affiliates to censor public debate unless they clearly violate FCC rules.

[gratuitous]

3. Thank you for your service, Dr. Ehrenfeld

You're keeping America safe for the bigotry of your political party.