Clear Channel Promotes Tony Dungy – in San Francisco

The billboard company sold advertising space to All Pro Dad, Dungy’s charity group that promotes “responsible fatherhood” – and features a photo of the N.F.L. coach. Ironically, the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for Clear Channel Outdoor is Michael Colbruno – the ex-Migden aide who last month wrote a blog posting about Mark Leno, where he called the gay Assemblyman a “Kiddie Porn King.”

In case you missed the recent flap about Colbruno, here’s what happened in a nutshell. On March 2nd, Mark Leno announced his run for the California State Senate against Colbruno’s old boss – Carole Migden.

The next day, Colbruno attacked Leno on his personal blog for opposing a bill in the state legislature that cracks down on child pornography. While Leno had concerns about the bill’s reach, Colbruno accused him of not being a “serious legislator” and then twisted his position by associating it with NAMBLA. He topped it all off by calling Mark Leno a “Kiddie Porn King.”

Gay men have always suffered the stigma of being “sexual perverts,” so Colbruno’s attack was not only highly misleading – it was extremely offensive and appeals to our worst prejudices. Colbruno himself is gay, and should have known better than to attack another gay man like that – even if he is running against your old boss.

Ironically, queer activist Robert Haaland (who supports Leno) was asking local politicos at the time to sign a pledge not to engage in negative campaigning. Colbruno’s post could not have come at a better time to prove Haaland’s point that a Leno-Migden race could become extremely nasty. Migden told Colbruno to take down the blog post.

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