London mayor wins case over anti-gay bus ad ban

LONDON — Britain’s High Court says the mayor of London acted lawfully when he banned bus ads from a Christian group suggesting that homosexuality can be cured.

A Christian charity had challenged mayor Boris Johnson’s decision, as chair of London’s transport authority, to ban ads declaring: “Not Gay! Ex-Gay, Post-Gay and Proud. Get over it.”

Judge Beverley Lang said Friday that Transport for London had breached its own guidelines when it approved the ban. But she said this was outweighed by factors against running the ad, which would cause “grave offense” to many people and increase “the risk of prejudice and homophobic attacks.”

The judge gave the charity, Core Issues Trust, permission to appeal. She said the case raised freedom of speech issues that were of “fundamental importance.”