Coalition 4 Marriage: Romantic Fictions

The ASA’s decision to investigate complaints about a series of ads by the Coalition for Marriage that are appearing in the press and online has prompted some comment in the media, the blogosphere and in other social media.  We would like to clarify that the fact that we are investigating the complaints does not mean we will necessarily ‘uphold’ them, leading to the ad being banned.  We are not at that decision-making stage yet and will, as always, take into account the responses we receive.  The right of advertisers responsibly to express their views will undoubtedly be an important factor in our assessment of whether the ads are likely to cause serious or widespread offence.  We are also looking at whether the ads are misleading.
One of the bloggers on whose blog the ads appeared has raised concerns about us contacting him as part of our investigation.  We have long found it useful to ask, in confidence, publishers of ads subject to ‘offence’ complaints for their views, because they can give us a valuable insight into whether or not their readers are likely to be offended.  They are not the subject of our investigation, as we have made clear to them in this case, and they are not compelled to respond.  Many of the adjudications published on our websites bear that out.  Here are examples of ASA rulings where publishers have responded and we have agreed with them that the ads under investigation were acceptable, where some have regretted publishing the ad in question and where the publisher has declined to comment.
We cannot comment further on our ongoing investigation before we reach a decision, but we will very carefully assess the issues at hand before we publish our findings.

Advertising Standards Authority statement. 
Issued after an in-no-way hysterical story in The Daily Mail,

Christian blogger plunged into free speech row after being told to justify 'offensive and homophobic' anti-gay marriage advert

'A Christian blogger is at the centre of a free speech row after posting an 'offensive' advert on behalf of a petition against plans to legalise gay marriage. Advertising watchdogs have demanded an explanation from the writer, known by the pen name Archbishop Cranmer, after they received 24 complaints. The Advertising Standards Authority is asking that he respond to claims that the message - which asks viewers to 'Help us keep the true meaning of marriage' - is homophobic.

The Mail has since updated their article online to include two quotes from the ASA statement, but have somewhat missed one of the main points and left in the accusation made in the opening paragraph that they "demanded an explanation" from the blogger.
Ho-hum..

PS You should check out the Archbishop Cramner blog - he's every bit as crazy as he is scary.
The fact that 24 people complained about the ads - a pretty disappointing figure - comes from an ASA reply to him. 10 said they found it "offensive", 14 contested the use of a poll had that said 70% of people oppose gay marriage.