Come Out With Pride (COWP) organizers are running a series of public service announcements (PSAs) on stations such as FX, Fox News, CNN, ESPN and SPIKE for most of the summer.
According to Mikael Audebert, COWP executive director, the spots' frequency is based on availability via Brighthouse to all of Central Florida with the exception of Tampa and St. Petersburg, because those cities have a different cable provider. He said Bright House estimated that the PSAs would run twice a day. The first spot focuses on same-sex marriage and the second spot is about gay families. Two other PSAs are scheduled to run later.
“One will more likely be military-oriented because we believe that can connect with the more conservative base,” Audebert said. “The second will either be youth- or religion- oriented.”
The PSAs were created by Nils Taranger, a director who is studying film at UCF.
“We've received huge compliments from Bright House on how well-produced [the PSAs] are,” Audebert said.
He said the only cost is the production itself and the cost of the two that have been produced did not exceed $1,000.
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This is what Pride is for,” he said. “This is what we raise money for throughout the year, so we can reinvest not only in grants to our community but in actions like this one, This is what we raise money for, not just for the [COWP] event.”
He said they specifically chose stations that are not necessarily the ones that gay people watch.
“The purpose was not to preach to the choir, but to get the message out to people who don't support our rights,” he said. “They're airing on stations none of my friends watch.”
Audebert said that at the end of July, COWP will receive a report from Bright House on how frequently the PSAs ran.
Marriage Equality PSA:
Celebrating All Families PSA:
