French mayor bans Aids campaign posters 'to protect children'
Subliminal messaging about one-night stands would confuse young people, Bruno Beschizza says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A French mayor has decreed that posters promoting an Aids prevention campaign should be taken down to protect children.
Bruno Beschizza claimed the Government's public health posters, which depict men kissing and embracing along with slogans extolling the benefits of contraceptives, would confuse children.
Mr Beschizza, who is the mayor of Aulnay-sous-Bois near Paris, said the campaign's "subliminal messaging" about one-night stands lacked context, BFMTV reported.
One of the posters reads: "With a lover, with a friend, with a stranger - the situation changes and forms of protection do too."
But Clio Léonard, of the LGBT support group Le Refuge, said: "Removing these posters makes no sense and could make our young people uncomfortable, and to feel rejected all over again because of their sexual orientation or gender identity."
Mr Beschizza's action was echoed by another mayor, Christophe Béchu, who asked the JC Decaux company to remove the posters from his town of Angers, near the Loire Valley in western France.
He said the posters were "deliberately shocking" and had been put up near schools. Young children would not be able to understand their message, he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments