[infopop]

This came to me through an email alert and it sounded interesting enough to share with you. Some of you use Squirt.org. Keith used to consider them a direct competitor to CFS, but they have since evolved into a paid hook-up oriented site with their directory of cruisy places a much less important focus.

As you know, at CFS, I am committed to remaining free as long as possible and also to allowing anonymous users to post to the Sex Listings without having to register with us. That's the way Keith set up CFS and I believe it enables more useful and honest input from people who may not be comfortable actually registering on a site.

Anyhow, the news about Squirt.org from the Toronto Sun:

TORONTO - The TTC has pulled ads for a gay hook-up website saying the service promotes illegal activity including sex in public places.

The ads for Squirt.org, which feature shirtless men hugging, aren’t the issue, TTC spokesman Brad Ross told the Toronto Sun. It’s the website the ads promote which the transit agency officials say encourage sexual activity in public.

“TTC staff looked at the website of the advertiser based on a concern raised with us that the site promotes sex in public places, including public washrooms,” Ross said. “Ads on the TTC cannot promote illegal activity.”

The TTC received about 10 complaints concerning the ads themselves but it was only after TTC officials investigated Squirt.org’s service that they decided to pull the advertisement, he said.

“If the advertiser were to resolve the promotion of illegal activity on its site, we would gladly reassess their desire to advertise,” he said.

The website’s main page offers members access to a “cruising” directory which gives members access to a list of “the hottest places to meet other men for sex. With user ratings and details on how to cruise each location, it’s easy to find the best parks, beaches, gyms, washrooms, glory holes and bathhouses in town.”

Attila Szatmari, the digital business director for Squirt.org parent company Pink Triangle Press, said he is disappointed by the TTC’s decision to pull the ad.

“Squirt is a platform for men to meet up,” Szatmari said. “Where they meet up is really up to them.”

The cruising directory is created by men using the sit[sic], he said.

“It’s very user driven,” he said. “We let our users create the content.”

The company’s ad campaign first started in June and only when it expanded to subway cars throughout the system on August 31 was there a problem, Szatmari said.

“We were really surprised and disappointed that the ad was pulled but the TTC made this call,” he said. “Especially when knowing the same (posters) were running in Wellesley station for three months without any issues.”

The TTC didn’t share any of the complaints with the company but notified it on Sept. 9 that the ads were being removed, Szatmari said. “This is a TTC decision. They own those spots. I’m not sure there’s anything we can do. We haven’t made any decisions in that regard.

See TTC orders gay dating site's ads removed. The Sun allows ten "complimentary" articles for non-subscribers, but I'm not sure if that's per month or what. Some people may need to open the link in "Private" or "Incognito" windows. The story also recaps other TTC "controversies" in recent years but I've posted the pertinent part here.