Dublin Bus Faces Backlash From LGBT+ Community For Running Gemma O'Doherty Advertisement

Dublin Bus, who has supported Ireland's LGBT+ community, have said that they are not responsible for running the Gemma O'Doherty advertisement.

News . Written by Katie Donohoe.

Dublin Bus Gemma O'Doherty advertisment

Dublin LGBT+ Pride sponsor Dublin Bus has come under fire for running a promotion for European Elections candidate Gemma O’Doherty.

O’Doherty, a right-wing journalist who also put in a bid for last year’s presidential election, is well known for her “homophobic, transphobic and racist” views.

After she shared a photo criticising a Christian Brothers’ school for celebrating LGBT+ inclusion, Panti Bliss called her out by sharing an email she received from O’Doherty in which she appeals to the Drag Queen to support her campaign saying, “I have throughout my career supported the rights of minorities in Ireland including transgender communities, gay families, Travellers, Muslims and victims of state injustice.”

Panti tweeted a screenshot of the email saying “it was bullshit then and it’s bullshit now.”

This is not the only incidence of O’Doherty targeting the LGBT+ community, she has also likened the community to a “globalist cult” that “want to control your children’s minds.”

She has called on Irish parents to stand up “to this filth” and “boycott shops pushing it”, referring to an image of children’s clothes with rainbows.

O’Doherty’s anti LGBT+ rhetoric is just one of a number of views. One tweet explains that she is also “anti-vaccination, fluoride, abortion, climate change, 5G”, believes in “chemtrails” and wants an “Irish ethnostate”.

Many have complained about the decision to run O’Doherty’s advertisements.

LGBT+ campaigner Izzy tweeted, “Note to @dublinbusnews – don’t think that sponsoring Dublin Pride will be enough to cover the stink of promoting this person who spreads hate against people & immigrants every day..”

Other tweets included screenshots of messages from Gemma O’Doherty with one adding, “Hopefully Dublin Pride will have a word with their sponsor for promoting a far-right bigot on their buses.”

https://twitter.com/sligonofracking/status/1125554018393128960

Dublin Bus have been avid supporters of Dublin LGBT+ Pride. Last year they released a video which went viral and featured some of Ireland’s proudest Dads showing their support for their sons and daughters as they surprise them and celebrated Pride together with thanks to Dublin Bus.

Dublin Bus, who also currently have advertisements for Dublin Gay Theatre Festival on their fleet, responded to concerns on Twitter saying that they have “no role in booking of advertisements on our fleet or other properties” and that this responsibility lies with Exterion Media:

“Dublin Bus has no role in booking of advertisements on our fleet or other properties, this is managed by Exterion Media.

“Exterion Media are required to ensure that all advertising conforms to the ASAI Code, and members of the public have a right to refer advertisements to the ASAI if it is felt one does not conform with the code.”

Yesterday, Exterion Media released a statement in relation to the advertising campaign, saying that they “consider the advertising copy for Anti-corruption Ireland/Gemma O’Doherty to be acceptable under [the] assessment criteria”, adding that anyone with concerns can register a complaint with regard to this advertisment here.

Dublin Bus and Exterion Media did not immediately respond to request for further comment.

© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

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