Queerguru actually loves the fact that anytime our community is shown in such a positive light the ‘angry right’ trip over themselves to condemn it.   On this occasion it’s not an advertisement, as usual, that is the target for their ire, but Twix’s sponsorship of a Halloween-themed episode of Hulu’s “Bite Size Halloween” series 

The story features a young child who is perceived as a boy but likes to wear a princess dress. Their new nanny, a witch, protects the kid from bullies. The description of the episode reads, “With a little magic, the new nanny helps a non-binary child deal with bullies and find self-acceptance.”

We won’t repeat any of the angry tweets that this provoked from presumably ultra-conservatives as vile hate-filled language like theirs should never be shared.  But it has made all of us eat more Twix’s than usual.  Only the left ones naturally.  

 

There was very similar loud condemnation in the UK about an advert by John Lewis a major Department Store chain. featured a young boy dressed in his mother’s makeup, dress, jewelry and heels, marching around his home smearing paint on the walls, kicking shoes at lamps, throwing an umbrella at a vase, spilling glass and throwing glitter into the air. 

The protesters found a myriad of reasons to bitch  about a range of issues to do with the ad. One went as far as to say the 60-second advert “represented a terrifying snapshot of all that’s wrong with Britain right now”. But at the root of it all was the fact that they had dared to show a young boy in a dress.

This time all the whining paid off BUT only on a technicality because Insurance regulators were concerned that it could mislead people into thinking the insurance policy being advertised would cover a child smashing up the house.

The advert had to be pulled off UK TV’s ….. but here it is for you to judge for yourselves (and all Stevie Nicks fans everywhere)

 

Meanwhile in the Queerguru office when we are not snacking on Twix we will now be devouring Doritos because of their Mexico commercial which is going viral worldwide with its surprise ending.

The ad centers around Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday to commemorate loved ones who have died.  No spoilers here about the touching wee story BUT we will share the wonderful tag line at the end “It’s never too late to be who you are.”

“In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a celebration of life. It’s a moment to share our respect, love, and unity for all the people we cherish, even if they are gone,” the company said. “And it’s an opportunity for Doritos Mexico to celebrate love and our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community every day. With the commercial ‘It’s never late to be who you are,’ we want to say that it’s never too late to share your true self, and when you are ready, we will support you.”

 

 

If there is one thing that our detractors really hate is when we are portrayed as gay AND happy : like in this new advert for Car Guru which some peeps are calling the gayest one of 2021 (so far)

 

 

 

PS We always like to finish in on the right note , so here is one of our all-time fav ads featuring the LGBTQ community.  Made in 2019 in recognition of LGBT Pride Month when Mercedes-Benz USA teamed up with Australian director Jason Evans to create a new spot that celebrates the fundamental importance of human connection. Weaving together a poetic and affecting narrative, representative of the broader LGBTQ community. The brand chose to work with Leyna Bloom, who recently became the first transgender woman of color to star in a movie that premiered at Cannes. It is Leyna’s powerful narration, thread throughout, that is the backbone of the piece. The video begins, “For me, everything started from within. I grew up in a world where I didn’t fit in so I wanted to create a new world that I did” before Leyna shares insights into her personal journey including struggles and achievements, looking to both the future as well as acknowledging the past.