'Phil The Sore': No 'Smokey The Bear'

A Los Angeles county ad campaign featuring a cartoon character -- the lovable, yet gruff STD symptom Phil The Syphilis Sore -- has turned off local television stations.

A PSA featuring a live-action Phil has been rejected by five local television stations.

The campaign is aimed at the gay community, and a quick perusal reveals that it is not Phil who is offending, but rather the stubbly S&M types and the buff pretty-boy gay men depicted in the PSA and other materials.

We prefer to glean sexual education from classic message movies like V.D. (1961) or the neighborhood kids.

'Phil The Sore': No 'Smokey The Bear'

A Los Angeles county ad campaign featuring a cartoon character -- the lovable, yet gruff STD symptom Phil The Syphilis Sore -- has turned off local television stations.

A PSA featuring a live-action Phil has been rejected by five local television stations.

The campaign is aimed at the gay community, and a quick perusal reveals that it is not Phil who is offending, but rather the stubbly S&M types and the buff pretty-boy gay men depicted in the PSA and other materials.

We prefer to glean sexual education from classic message movies like V.D. (1961) or the neighborhood kids.