By: E&P Staff The Star Tribune in Minneapolis has settled litigation brought against it by GLBT Pride/Twin Cities, a gay group that sued because the daily refused to publish an advertisement for a 2004 gay pride event showing two men kissing.
Under the terms of the settlement, the newspaper will resume sponsoring the gay pride event, and the gay group will drop its lawsuit in county court.
GLBT Pride sued in Hennepin County District Court in June, alleging discrimination and breach of contract over the refusal to run the ad. The Star Tribune had agreed to be a sponsor of the gay pride event, but declined to run the ad, saying it violated it policy on community standards for ads. The gay group contended the paper had run ads showing heterosexual couples kissing, and that it was improperly applying different standards to the gay ad. The group also alleged the paper refused an ad that did not include the photo of the same-sex couple kissing.
Earlier, the group filed a complaint with the Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights, which ruled it did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
In a joint statement announcing the settlement, the two sides said they regretted the dispute had strained a relationship that had been forged over many years.
"The positive side of this dispute is that we both have grown in understanding each other's views of their rights, responsibilities and missions," the statement said. "Star Tribune did not intend to offend GLBT Pride with this decision, and GLBT Pride never wanted to dictate what Star Tribune could and could not print, even in advertising.?
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