Twice today I have viewed a floating advertsiement on the Outsports discussion board main page. The advertisement was for the U.S. Navy. It strikes me as odd that the Navy would target recuiting advetisements to an obviously gay market.

The ads are served by a company who identifies advertisments that should target our audience. The Navy is likely not completely aware that they are on a gay Web site, but the advertising company obviously thinks that the Navy should be advertising on Outsports. Don't know if it's naivete or progress.

The Navy is probably oblivious but I don't mind it at all.

I mean where else can we find pleasure?
Search the world for treasure?
Learn science, technology?

Where else can we begin to make our dreams all come true on the land or on the sea?

Where can we learn to fly, play in sports or skindive, study oceanography?

I mean seriously, where?

Don't you hesitate! There is no need to wait!
They're signing up new seamen fast!

[ May 02, 2006, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: Maddog ]

I know you don't want to bite the hand that feeds you but given that the military policy is among the most blatant examples of gays having second-class citizenship in this country, I think you, Cyd, should consider donating to charity the revenue that comes with this ad, and make a stink about it on the front page.

Do you guys have any policy about accepting ads from organizations that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation (or, for that matter, race)? We know that it's not a rational discrimination, since stop-loss orders show that "military readiness" necessitates GREATER inclusion of gays. It's invidious discrimination, pure and simple, at its heart the notion that gays are "other" and "lesser than" and I'm not sure why we stand for it. "Don't Ask Don't Tell" is the very opposite of the great things this site stands for: truth, openness, and equality.

I mean, at what point do we as a community take a stand on our status as citizens, even if it costs us monetarily? I'm confident, in fact, that if you set up a fund to counterbalance the money you lose from not accepting this ad, a number of Outsporters would contribute.

It's not progress, Cyd. It's spitting in our faces.

From my perspective, the Navy is paying a gay Web site money. They probably wouldn't like it if they knew, which is more reason why it makes me smile. To me, this is kind of us spitting in their faces - TAKING their money. They'll either spend it on a gay Web site or potentially an anti-gay Web site. Why not take their money here?

I do understand your reaction, though, jake. I just truly think gay companies SHOULD take the military's money. We're TAKING their money! But please, share with us your perspective here or in an email. I don't have the answer on this one. Plus, I don't know how Jim feels about it.

I'm with Cyd...Let them pay...

To throw ads on a network that blankets just about every kind of site imaginable shows just how desperate the US NAVY and the other branches of the military are in recruiting.

I think if the war continues for another 4 or 5 years we might see the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy lifted. Not because of a new found tolerance but because they've killed off most of the "straight" soldiers.

"We want you,we want you,we want you for a new recruit!"

[ May 02, 2006, 03:17 PM: Message edited by: eddiecat ]

As disgusted as I am by DADT, I say let them pay.

I am uneasy however about accepting funds from people who openly discriminate against our community.

If you can figure out what percentage of revenue it would be, and if you are solvent enough, consider donating that small portion of revenue to SLDN. Its a great cause, and they need our support.

"Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and related forms of intolerance."

Better yet, wait for a year until you have some recognizable amount; then make a public donation with a joint press release.

On the other hand, it is solely up to Cyd and Jim, they will have to judge what they think best. Whatever they decide, I will support them in their decision and continue to be an avid reader.

Rob

I think IT Jock has a good idea, SLDN is a super group as far as I can tell.

I also understand that going public about something like this could potentially jeopardize a relationship you have with an entity that's help keeping food on your plate, and that's a lot to ask, particularly since I'm not the one whose food is at risk!

Nonetheless, I don't think "ha ha, they're paying money to gay people" is the right way to look at it either. The navy has no problem at all paying money to gay people - not only the gay servicemembers but also the gay civilians, contractors, janitors, etc. And I have no problem with most of those people taking the money -- even if it is at the expense of their pride, their equality, their humanity, whatever.

The nave also has no problem spending lots more money kicking gay people off their ships and out of their operations centers and out of Annapolis. Money's not the point. It's that old bugaboo, principle. I guess what gets me is that they're RECRUITING on an openly gay, proud, Web site. It's flat-out insulting. When, under DADT, if someone were discovered to be even *posting* on the site, even if they didn't reveal their sexual orientation or talk about gay stuff at all, they could get kicked out.

And the worst part is how flat-out hypocritical DADT is. It has nothing to do with military goals (as shown by stop-loss orders during a time of high military activity) and everything to do with putting gays in their place, of making a statement of our inequality.

So, if it were up to me, I'd vote to make a donation to SLDN, and perhaps even suggest that organization issue a press release tying all these themes together.

You know, the military had a god damn booth at the Andersonville Midsommarfest street fair last year. I was astounded. While it's not totally a gay event, it's as close as you can get without actually bursting into flames. The official t-shirts combined the Swedish flag with a rainbow flag! I didn't have to guts to tell them "thanks for protecting America and all, but piss off for having the gall to come into this neighborhood and recruit!" The worst part is that a couple of them were quite hot (as in, very hot)... It shows me that they are fine using every tool at their disposal to recruit actual gays, as long as said gays know their place.

It's wrong!!!!!

Seriously, they were hot.

Guys, hello, wait a minute here ... "their money" is OUR - the TAXPAYERS' - money. Let's not lose sight of that in all this.

The only question, then, is how best to spend our money. You guys are running a private business; it's basically your call. All I say is use it to maximize your profits as well as to equalize our rights.

I'm still looking for this ad. Where did it show up? My guess is that this is part of an ad service that has a bunch of clients, including the Navy, who buy across a whole range of sites. Before I make any judgments I want to see the ad in question. Then I check into how frequently it runs etc.

Some ads we solicit, others like this one are bought over a range of websites from an ad aggregator. The next time someone sees this ad, capture the url and post.

Thanks!

The ad was on the discussion board home page around 11:40 EST.

"American Express" seems to be the latest intruder.

That stupid ad is causing me all sorts of trouble today. It has closed down my browser at least three times and I keep getting an error message every time it pops up. :confused:

me,too!

me,too!

Another ad I haven't seen. Some of these rotate in and out very quickly.

Guess today is just one of those days.I also had a hell of a time removing some spyware from my computer! :mad:

By the way, Eddie, what happened to your avatar?

I change them quite often,there are too many men in the world and so little time! wink

But I only see a box with a broken X.

I've seen that before and I don't understand what's happening.However,I am seeing the avatar now.I know one thing,all these ads from American Express are not exactly making me want one of their accounts.Talk about annoying!

[ May 05, 2006, 07:34 PM: Message edited by: eddiecat ]

I think it's because some sites have bandwidth limits and some block direct links all together. It may look like you're setting up a fine looking avatar but it's not until the board tries to load it do you know if it'll stick or not.

That's why it's best to take them from major sites like CBS, ESPN or MTV. I took me forever to get a temporary one of Mr. Daughtry to stick until I found this one on MTV.

I don't think I would find my Eduardo on those sites. frown

Eddie: Most of the time, your avatar does not show up. I thought it was performance art.