Everyday, children and their parents cross the I-110 bridge and are blindsided, not by cars, but by signs. Unsuspecting drivers and passengers are met with giant billboards of indecent models. Every month, the Golden Nugget Casino erects a new, unsophisticated sign that is seen by thousands of people, including innocent children. The same goes for the giant electronic sign on their own property at the base of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge. For some reason, the cities responsible for approving these advertisements have deemed it appropriate for the Golden Nugget Casino to publicly display its immorality. But this is not right.

Recently, a trip to downtown Ocean Springs resulted in a similar blind-side experience. Trying to enjoy a small gazebo on a beautiful day turned into a nightmare after discovering it was right next door to Twisted Anchor tattoo shop. It wasn't exactly the shop itself that brought about feelings of horror but their audacity to display a sign for a tattoo expo... Their chosen muse? A bare-chested mermaid, or siren rather. Whether written off as "art" or "expression", there is no excuse for the publicity of such uncouth work, and there are no words to express the shame of so many passersby.

As parents, we work hard to instill decency in and protect our children physically and spiritually. We also aim to honor others with our actions and words, including how we dress. In turn, these prostitutional calling cards do not make us feel safe, valued, honored, or respected in any way. Not only are these images a poor reflection of these cities and their people's standards but they are sending destructive messages to our children. And no one asked our permission, no parental consent, no warning. Just driving to work or school or going to a fun family function or church becomes a terrible permanent impression that cannot be erased from a little child's mind, or anyone's for that matter. These advertisements offend us so much that we have been burdened with having to find other routes to avoid these signs, but this should not be. We should not have to worry about indecent exposure in places we venture to or along the way. No one should.

This is why we are petitioning these cities and establishments to ban ads that degrade women (and men), offend citizens, and corrupt society. It is our duty to uphold standards of respectability, class, and morality. While we may not be able to control what goes on within these establishments, we feel there is no need for them to blatantly cross our paths with their immodesty. We are calling on the mayors and committees and city councils to reconsider their approval of ads that the people they represent do not want to see. We are asking the establishments to take down their obscene advertisements, and if so desired, to replace them with more tasteful choices. Please sign our petition if you want to stand for what is right, or at least for the children.