A billboard advertisement that showed two men kissing has been banned by Brisbane’s City Council.
The picture of two men kissing, reminiscent of the famous scene from ‘From Here to Eternity’ was part of the promotions for Brisbane’s Queer Film Festival.
The Chair of the City Council’s ‘Lifestyle Committee’ Krista Adams has said the image is “too confronting”.
Kris Stewart, the Artistic Director of the Powerhouse Museum, which is hosting the festival says the decision was not because the image was of two men, but because of it’s sexual nature.
“My sense was it is a very sexualised image and the decision would have been the same whether it was two men or a man and a woman,” Stewart told the Brisbane Times.
The image features reality TV star Jake Harrison who came to public prominence through the TV series ‘My Kitchen Rules’ in 2013.
Harrison told Brisbane’s Courier Mail that the council’s decision to ab the advertisement was disappointing.
“As soon as this type of ad, featuring two gay men is used, it is deemed unfit for Brisbane’s eyes,” Harrison said.
The advertising campaign will be reviewed by the Advertising Standards Bureau.
In 2011 there were calls to ban an safe sex poster in Queensland that showed two men hugging. The poster was first removed after 30 complaints were made, but then later re-instated.
