Virginia tourism ad drops gang hand gesture

RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) - Virginia's tourism agency will eliminate images of people making heart symbols with their hands in its upcoming advertising campaign because the gesture is also used by a violent street gang.
The state has long used "Virginia is for Lovers" as its tourism slogan. Its new "Live Passionately" ad campaign will remove images of models making the hand gesture, one of several signs associated with the Gangster Disciples, Virginia Tourism Corp. officials said Friday. The gesture shows thumbs and index fingers formed into a heart.