Gay Church Sues Over Infomercial

CHICAGO —  The nation’s largest gay church is suing Chicago’s WGN-TV, accusing the superstation of reneging on a contract to show an infomercial it decided was too controversial.

The Cathedral of Hope of Dallas intended the infomercial as a response to advertising by conservative Christian groups.

WGN, which is seen nationally on cable, accepted a $13,000 check for the first broadcast, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Chicago.

But the station returned the money because it thought the infomercial was “not appropriate content for this station,” said Christopher Wolf, a lawyer for the church.

“I think those are code words for homophobia and for anti-gay discrimination,” he said.

Wolf said the church agreed to change the title of the infomercial from “Holy Homosexuals” to “A Cathedral of Hope” at the station’s suggestion and to make other changes as well.

Phil Rozansky, the media buyer who arranged the deal with WGN, said the church is overreacting. “I think what they’re trying to do is make this a political issue and a slam against gay rights,” he said.

Calls to WGN’s spokeswoman and senior counsel were not immediately returned.