If you are driving around the Capitol Region, you might see some shocking billboards promoting homosexuality in the black community.

I spotted my first in Schenectady. It’s a billboard featuring a black parishioner seated in a church pew alongside his pastor. The billboard proudly proclaims, “I Am Gay and This Is Where I Pray.” The billboard I spotted is one of 18 in Schenectady, Albany, Rensselaer and Montgomery counties along with ads on buses and bus shelters.

Who is the sponsor of the campaign?  A group called “In Our Own Voices” dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of gay, lesbian and transgendered people of color.

According to the sponsoring organization, the stated goal is to encourage black males to get tested for HIV. They argue that “You have to start from a place of respect in order to address the stigma and homophobia of being a black gay male.” Then they believe you can address the problem of rising rates of HIV and AIDS in the black community. There is a problem however; the ad campaign fails to acknowledge the connection between sexually-transmitted diseases and homosexual activity.

The billboards are putting the stamp of approval on the gay lifestyle – and doing so at taxpayer expense. The ads are paid for through New York Department of Health (DOH) funding. The DOH gave “In Our Voices” a grant of over $50,000 for this rubbish. With tax dollars supporting liberal social causes like this, it’s no wonder New York State is in the mess it’s in.

You can take action on this issue by sending a message to Governor Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health.