Golden: Local Bus Shelter Advertisement, "the L Word", Inappropriately Placed On 3rd Avenue

Brooklyn- State Senator Marty Golden (R-C-I, 22nd District) has written to the New York City Department of Transportation Division of Franchises, Concessions and Consents, to object to the placement of an advertisement for the HBO Series, "The L Word" at the bus stop shelter located at 77th Street and 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge.

Senator Golden has written that the sexual nature of the advertisement, and the appearance of nudity, does not belong at a bus stop near local schools nor should shoppers be subjected to the advertisement as they wait for their bus home. Golden has asked for an inspection of this bus stop and a review of the guidelines governing the advertisement policy of the Department in commercial areas and within close proximity to educational institutions.

A copy of Senator Golden’s letter is below.

February 22, 2005

Anne Koenig, Executive Director
NYC Department of Transportation
Division of Franchises, Concessions, and Consents
40 Worth Street, 9th Floor South
New York, New York 10013

Re: Bus Stop Shelter Complaint

Dear Ms. Koenig,

I am writing to bring to your attention an advertisement for the HBO Series, "The L Word" which depicts twelve naked women which has been placed in a a local bus shelter on 77th Street and 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. The placement of this advertisement has raised eyebrows among residents, local merchants and parents of our community’s school children.

The advertisement depicts the undressed women in a manner which offers sexual overtones and I request that this bus shelter no longer host an advertisement of such nature. The placement of an advertisement, so sexual in nature, should not be what local school children should be subjected to at this bus stop as they go to and from school. Nor should it be what shoppers must stare at as they walk this treasured shopping strip and wait for their bus home.

This community has long prided itself on the small town America feeling that has survived for over 150 years. However, when advertisements such as this one are placed at eye level in bus stop shelters, we risk losing what we have fought so hard to maintain, a strong society with children who grow up to be respectful. Within the surrounding area of 77th Street and 3rd Avenue, there are numerous schools, and thus the message and the promotion is reaching many young children and that is inappropriate.

I strongly ask for your review of this bus stop and for you to review your guidelines governing the advertisement policy of the Department of Transpiration in commercial areas and within close proximity of educational institutions. I firmly believe that after an inspection, you will agree with me that this is an inappropriate location for such an advertisement. I am hopeful that you will be able to discuss and decide upon other advertising options with HBO.

Despite our good intentions, the children of today are subjected to many images of sexual activity at a much younger age than ever before. We can not prevent our children from seeing all of these images but as parents, we must make it a point try our very best. The less exposure to images of sex and violence, the better off our children and our future society will be.

In closing, I thank you for your interest in my letter and I am hopeful for your response. If you should have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (718) 238-6044. I will be writing to HBO as well regarding this matter.

Sincerely,
Martin J. Golden
State Senator