There are two ways to look at what's happened.

1) The St. Petersburg Times accepted an anti-gay ad and printed it. No big deal. Freedom of speech, after all.

2) The St. Petersburg Times accepted a hateful ad that promotes violence against gays and printed it. Very big deal.

First, I haven't seen the ad and have only read other people's accounts of what it said. Still, as your resident gay journalist blogger, I have to issue a complaint.

The ad reportedly implied God sent Hurricane Katrina to wipe out gay-friendly New Orleans. And because St. Pete hosts one of Florida's largest gay pride festivals, guess which city the pastor who printed this ad predicts is the next to feel God's wrath?

Here's a quote from the ad: "There will come a day when they will answer to God for this … PAYDAY, SOMEDAY!"

Let's pray no one read this ad as a call to bring on a payday against gay people. After all, God sent a lethal hurricane. Surely he wants you, redneck, to beat one of us and tie him to a fence.

Perhaps The St. Pete Times didn't notice this ad promotes violence. When you're on the recieving end, the ad reads a little differently. I wouldn't oppose an ad that simply encouraged people to be saved or to join one of those scams that claim they can make you straight. I am opposed to ads that scream for a PAYDAY.

The St. Pete Times should issue an apology.