Clear Channel refunds Pride money

Clear Channel never processed the payment to cover billboard advertising by St. Pete Pride. That’s good news, according to St. Pete Pride Executive Director Chris Rudisill.

In the week leading up to St. Pete Pride in June, Clear Channel Outdoor, rejected two images St. Pete Pride had hoped to use in promoting its annual festival. One image showed two women looking lovingly at each other and the other had two muscular, shirtless men smiling on the beach. Rudisill said he couldn’t understand why the advertisements were rejected and that Clear Channel never gave an explanation.

“The ads themselves don’t portray anything sexual, immoral or offensive,” Rudisill said. “In that it was a corporate decision of Clear Channel to impose this censorship, it is the decision of St. Pete Pride to end our relationship with Clear Channel.”

Clear Channel Outdoor President Daniel Dunnivant said that while he could not discuss creative decisions about signage, he could ensure the company’s commitment to diversity and LGBT equality.

That wasn’t enough for St. Pete Pride, which canceled its contract with the advertiser. According to Rudisill, Clear Channel never processed a credit card payment placed by St. Pete Pride, so no money ever changed hands.