Store changes display, but defends gay magazine as ‘free expression’

VANCOUVER and TORONTO — Clothing retailer American Apparel, facing questions over the placement of a magazine deemed pornographic in a West Vancouver store, is citing a “free-expression” argument to defend its policies on selling BUTT, a gay-lifestyle quarterly.

The controversy began this week when a West Vancouver woman, taking her 13-year-old daughter shopping at the store, came across a display that featured an accessible copy of BUTT that contained, as she put it, “a full, double-page spread of two men engaged fully in a sex act.”

She complained to the store manager and the operators of the mall.

In its first comment on the controversy that has led West Vancouver’s bylaw office to fine the store in the city’s Park Royal mall, spokesman Ryan Holiday said the company supports its gay customers “and anyone who enjoys the magazine.”

See Store changes display, but defends gay magazine as ‘free expression’
Globe and Mail, Canada -

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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/store-changes…

Mormon Church Whines: “Prop 8 Backlash Is ‘An Outrage That Must Stop’” – but if the shoe fits ….

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is claiming “violence and intimidation” have been toward the Church because of its support of Proposition 8.

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles claimed “the right of free expression of people of faith has come under attack.”

It seems some Mormons think they should be exempt from criticism if they claim their acts are based on religion.

That would be fair if the Mormon Church focused on telling its members how to act.

When a church tries to legislative its religious views and turn them into laws that force others to abide by Mormon beliefs, then they loose the ability to claim their “right of free expression of people of faith has come under attack” when people object to their strong arm methods.

It is simple: the Mormon Church cant each and tell its members to do what their faith requires. But when the Mormon Church – or any other Church – tries to compel others to live by Religious standards, then that church is fair game in the rough and tumble world of politics.

Individuals who use politics to impose their religious beliefs on others can fairly be opposed, and that opposition can include boycotts, demonstration and the like. You can’t make money off the LGBT community, work to make the LGBT people second class citizens and then expect the LGBT community to continue to support your business.

Odd that Elder Ballard never complained when his Evalngelical allies lauinched boycots of companies that were “pro-gay.” I guess the “the right of free expression of people of faith” only comes under attack when you are a Mormon or a right wing nut.