Scroll To Top
Media

Dutch Government Won't Bow to Complaints Against Hook-Up Ads

Dutch Government Won't Bow to Complaints Against Hook-Up Ads

squirt

Sexy advertisements for Squirt.org will remain on trains throughout the Netherlands.

Nbroverman
Support The Advocate
LGBTQ+ stories are more important than ever. Join us in fighting for our future. Support our journalism.

After numerous complaints of indecency, a Dutch standards board has ruled that ads from gay hookup site Squirt. org are not inappropriate.

The large signs and posters feature shirtless men and appear on trains in Amsterdam and other large Dutch cities. Some locals demanded the Advertising Standards Board remove the ads, calling the images "sickening and shocking."

"It is highly inappropriate that such a website is being promoted in the public space," one person wrote, according to PinkNews. "Young children should not be faced with terminology such as 'squirt' and 'cruising' in conjuction with the picture [of half-naked men]."

The board disagreed with that contention, pointing out the men were not posed in a sexual manner or even suggesting sexual acts.

Similar advertisements from Squirt were removed from Toronto trains in the fall, with officials claiming they encouraged public sex. In this country, Squirt billboards in Dallas met with similar opposition.

Nbroverman
The Advocates with Sonia BaghdadyOut / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.