What's missing from pro-gay marriage TV ads? Gays

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - With gay marriage appearing on the ballot in four states this year, the airwaves are starting to fill up with ads aimed at persuading voters that same-sex relationships are OK. But one thing missing from those ads is actual gay people.

Media strategists say there's a simple reason -- using them is too risky.

Consultants who have worked on pro-gay marriage campaigns say the ads feature only straight people talking about gay marriage because the ads are aimed at the heterosexual community, whose vote will decide the issue.

But keeping gays in the background makes some gay activists angry. On gay community blogs, they complain the strategy contradicts the direction of the gay rights movement.

Gay marriage questions are on the ballot in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington state.