Channels 7 and 9 aired a maliciously timed, homophobic ad against same-sex marriage during Sydney's Mardi Gras last week.

The ad is offensive on so many levels: it suggests that the kids of a same-sex couple "miss out" on having a parent from another gender. It says that kids are denied "equality" when raised by two parents of the same sex. This sort of narrative is dangerous, as it puts real children from same-sex families at risk by defending prejudice against them and their parents.

Media outlets such as Channels 7 and 9 should know better than to promote hatred and discrimination against same-sex families.

Tell Channels 7 and 9 to apologise now and make amends by broadcasting ads that promote marriage equality.

The ad, sponsored by the Australian Marriage Forum, says that same-sex marriage is unnatural and problematic. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The world's largest attempt to study how children raised by same-sex couples compared to children raised by straight couples found that kids in same-sex families are not only thriving, but they have higher rates of family cohesion than other families.

The ad deliberately aired during Sydney Mardi Gras -- one of the largest LGBTIQ parades in the world. It's shameful that such a hateful ad was aired during a rare but wonderful acknowledgement of the diversity of our gay and lesbian community.

Many channels rightfully recognised the hateful narrative the ad promoted and refused to spread its bigoted message. SBS, which broadcasted the festivities, opted not to air the ad attacking same-sex marriage. Channels 7 and 9 shouldn't have either -- and they can make amends by apologising and airing an ad promoting marriage equality.

Tell Channels 7 and 9 -- apologise for the homophobic ad and make amends now.

We can't let media corporations like Channels 7 and 9 get away with behaviour like this -- millions of Australians get their news and information from these outlets. TV channels shouldn't be broadcasting ads that legitimise hate and discrimination.

At SumOfUs, we've held media outlets accountable for what they say before -- in the UK, we campaigned against the Daily Mail newspaper when a columnist attacked a transgender teacher by questioning her qualifications on the sole basis of her gender identity. If we're to have an equal society that celebrates diversity in all its forms, we can't let Channels 7 and 9 get away with this.

We'll demand that they apologise -- and they probably will. But 'sorry' alone, won't make this better. We want Channels 7 and 9 to air a pro-marriage equality ad to make up for the disgusting homophobia.

Join us as we hold homophobia to account and force the channels to make this right.

Channels 7 and 9 should do their part to end marriage discrimination -- it's the least they can do after the damage they've caused.

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More information:

Shame on you, Channels 7 and 9. This ad should never have aired last night, Mamamia, March 8, 2015
Backlash after anti-marriage equality ad debuts on Mardi Gras night, Sydney Morning Herald, March 8, 2015