Comments on: The Homophobic Problem Inside Ad Agency Omnicom http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/ Free of an agenda. Except that gay one. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:16:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Orange County Advertising Agency http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-69416 Orange County Advertising Agency Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:33:04 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-69416 It's just a bad ad. It’s just a bad ad.

]]> By: DiverDaveC http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-69363 DiverDaveC Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:47:05 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-69363 This is a stupid commercial, but anti-gay? No way! There's nothing to suggest (implicit or othewise) that the walker is gay. If he was skipping down the street with a pride flag shirt and someone started firing at him, then we'd have reason to bitch. Otherwise, this is just another "America on testosterone" example of bad advertising ideas. This is a stupid commercial, but anti-gay? No way! There’s nothing to suggest (implicit or othewise) that the walker is gay. If he was skipping down the street with a pride flag shirt and someone started firing at him, then we’d have reason to bitch. Otherwise, this is just another “America on testosterone” example of bad advertising ideas.

]]> By: Sean http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-69012 Sean Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:04:31 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-69012 I'm sorry, but I'm gay, and I usually think I'm much more liberal than my gay friends, but I thought this was funny. People should hate on speedwalkers. They suck. But oh, if I say they 'suck' then that's homophobic too, right? I'm implying they suck cock, and there something wrong with that. Yada yada. How can the same site that defended Family Guy's old gay pedophile guy, get outraged about this commercial? I’m sorry, but I’m gay, and I usually think I’m much more liberal than my gay friends, but I thought this was funny. People should hate on speedwalkers. They suck. But oh, if I say they ‘suck’ then that’s homophobic too, right? I’m implying they suck cock, and there something wrong with that. Yada yada. How can the same site that defended Family Guy’s old gay pedophile guy, get outraged about this commercial?

]]> By: todd http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68851 todd Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:03:25 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68851 Has anyone speed walked since Mr. T has been popular? I don't think so. This commercial is just stupid and irrelevant. The Ad people are obviously bankrupt of ideas. Has anyone speed walked since Mr. T has been popular? I don’t think so. This commercial is just stupid and irrelevant. The Ad people are obviously bankrupt of ideas.

]]> By: Snoodle http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68794 Snoodle Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:01:10 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68794 I don't see it as homophobic per-say...but stupid and in general bad taste, yes. I don’t see it as homophobic per-say…but stupid and in general bad taste, yes.

]]> By: key http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68762 key Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:47:08 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68762 NUIR, guess what? I hate your SPAM. NUIR, guess what?
I hate your SPAM.

]]> By: Smokey Martini http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68742 Smokey Martini Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:03:43 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68742 On that note: I wonder how many of these companies have non-discrimination clauses in their workplace ethics when it comes to sexual orientation. Or, better yet: benefits for GLBTQ employees and their partners. On that note: I wonder how many of these companies have non-discrimination clauses in their workplace ethics when it comes to sexual orientation. Or, better yet: benefits for GLBTQ employees and their partners.

]]> By: Smokey Martini http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68740 Smokey Martini Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:01:01 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68740 This ad is not about being gay at all. It's about being masculine, which may or may not imply gayness. That is, it only implies homophobia if you yourself associate gays with being effeminate. But this hits close to home for me. Not because I'm gay (and more masculine than the implied queer); but more because I'm nerdy. As someone not into 'manly' things like ball-playing, bike-riding, or wrestling, I have felt the effects of being denigrated for not being 'one of the boys.' Yes, it hurts - especially when your dad or a brother in law tells you or your nephew that you're a bad example just because you read more than the 'typical guy'. So I personally take offense to this ad and feel that no one should be bullied because of their masculinity -- and hence, their implied queerness. This ad is not about being gay at all. It’s about being masculine, which may or may not imply gayness. That is, it only implies homophobia if you yourself associate gays with being effeminate.

But this hits close to home for me. Not because I’m gay (and more masculine than the implied queer); but more because I’m nerdy. As someone not into ‘manly’ things like ball-playing, bike-riding, or wrestling, I have felt the effects of being denigrated for not being ‘one of the boys.’ Yes, it hurts – especially when your dad or a brother in law tells you or your nephew that you’re a bad example just because you read more than the ‘typical guy’.

So I personally take offense to this ad and feel that no one should be bullied because of their masculinity — and hence, their implied queerness.

]]> By: queerunity http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68730 queerunity Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:55:33 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68730 i think this ad more so than being homophobic is being against male gender identity expression <a href="http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com</a> i think this ad more so than being homophobic is being against male gender identity expression
http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com

]]> By: CHURCHILL-Y http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68724 CHURCHILL-Y Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:44:17 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68724 Would love to see those bigger fish that we can finally fry. They have to be those mythical 200 tons invisible Blue Whales. Is it any wonder why the GLBT community remains so f&cked up. On the bright side at least Mr. T didn't kill the guy. Would love to see those bigger fish that we can finally fry. They have to be those mythical 200 tons invisible Blue Whales. Is it any wonder why the GLBT community remains so f&cked up.

On the bright side at least Mr. T didn’t kill the guy.

]]> By: The Truth Fairy http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68710 The Truth Fairy Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:13:12 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68710 Advertising is aspirational, setting the tone in our culture by associating brands with ideal behaviors. This is why what Omnicom Group (it's a holding company, not an agency) agencies TBWA and BBDO are playing with dangerous fire here. While many of us here on the internets are very happy to proclaim we "get this on s deeper level", the target audience for these ads are young men, insecure in their sexuality, and who statistics show are the most frequent perpetrators of anti-gay violence. While TBWA and BBDO are by no means to blame for causing prejudice, they are to blame for bolstering it by validating the beliefs of an age group that starves for validation and a sense of belonging. It is the job of agency people to know culture, and these jerks knew exactly what they were doing. Advertising is aspirational, setting the tone in our culture by associating brands with ideal behaviors. This is why what Omnicom Group (it’s a holding company, not an agency) agencies TBWA and BBDO are playing with dangerous fire here.

While many of us here on the internets are very happy to proclaim we “get this on s deeper level”, the target audience for these ads are young men, insecure in their sexuality, and who statistics show are the most frequent perpetrators of anti-gay violence. While TBWA and BBDO are by no means to blame for causing prejudice, they are to blame for bolstering it by validating the beliefs of an age group that starves for validation and a sense of belonging.

It is the job of agency people to know culture, and these jerks knew exactly what they were doing.

]]> By: Scooter Bangs http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68701 Scooter Bangs Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:46:21 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68701 Chad, thanks for making my point about the myopic insensitivity of gay viewers. Obviously the complexity of Mr. T's angry, yet lovable, black man persona is lost on you. It's not about Mr. T being racist, it's about the use of his PERFORMATIVE to sell crap like candy. And the rest of us 'bend over' people will try not to bend over anymore. Whatever that meant. FRI (no 14) makes an interesting point about hypermasculinity. Bullying is wrong, but as a gay man I have always looked more like Mr. T than Zac Efron, so I don't see a 'gay' response to comic manliness. Chad, thanks for making my point about the myopic insensitivity of gay viewers. Obviously the complexity of Mr. T’s angry, yet lovable, black man persona is lost on you. It’s not about Mr. T being racist, it’s about the use of his PERFORMATIVE to sell crap like candy. And the rest of us ‘bend over’ people will try not to bend over anymore. Whatever that meant.

FRI (no 14) makes an interesting point about hypermasculinity. Bullying is wrong, but as a gay man I have always looked more like Mr. T than Zac Efron, so I don’t see a ‘gay’ response to comic manliness.

]]> By: dizzy spins http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68696 dizzy spins Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:26:13 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68696 God some people seriously need to lighten up. If we got rid of humor that poked fun at violence, gender roles, and outdated pop culture references...we'd be watching standup at the Michigan's Womyn Festival. God some people seriously need to lighten up. If we got rid of humor that poked fun at violence, gender roles, and outdated pop culture references…we’d be watching standup at the Michigan’s Womyn Festival.

]]> By: fri http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68695 fri Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:07:15 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68695 um, this ad clearly makes violence against men who aren't considered "masculine" enough something funny to laugh about. but this is a serious issue for a lot of men, gay or straight or whatever. the whole grow some nuts tagline is ridiculous also, and all around presents a normalization of violent hypermasculine behavior as OK. oh, and the way white people love laughing at mr.t's antics definitely has some very racist undertones to it. um, this ad clearly makes violence against men who aren’t considered “masculine” enough something funny to laugh about. but this is a serious issue for a lot of men, gay or straight or whatever. the whole grow some nuts tagline is ridiculous also, and all around presents a normalization of violent hypermasculine behavior as OK.

oh, and the way white people love laughing at mr.t’s antics definitely has some very racist undertones to it.

]]> By: walt zipprian http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68692 walt zipprian Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:59:46 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68692 Yeah, I don't see the gay stereotyping. I see an ad making fun of speedwalkers. Yeah, I don’t see the gay stereotyping.

I see an ad making fun of speedwalkers.

]]> By: ugotmeinsd_619 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68690 ugotmeinsd_619 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:54:51 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68690 This is a stupid commercial. It's trying to stereotype gay people...Chad made a good point about bullying which is never good in our society. What I find interesting is that (and now I'm stereotyping) the ad agencies I know of are run by the gays. SO if that is true its amazing that they went down this road. This is a stupid commercial. It’s trying to stereotype gay people…Chad made a good point about bullying which is never good in our society.
What I find interesting is that (and now I’m stereotyping) the ad agencies I know of are run by the gays. SO if that is true its amazing that they went down this road.

]]> By: Paul Raposo http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68688 Paul Raposo Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:46:28 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68688 Although Chad does make a good point about bullying, for me, Mr T can do no wrong--I love the man. And power walkers can look ridiculous. A neighbour power walks daily and a few times that I've stopped to chat with him, he will continue to power walk in place whcih can be very distracting. Especially with his junk bouncing around. An Other Greek, it's ggod to know Mr T is not a homophobe. Although Chad does make a good point about bullying, for me, Mr T can do no wrong–I love the man. And power walkers can look ridiculous. A neighbour power walks daily and a few times that I’ve stopped to chat with him, he will continue to power walk in place whcih can be very distracting. Especially with his junk bouncing around.

An Other Greek, it’s ggod to know Mr T is not a homophobe.

]]> By: Chad http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68685 Chad Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:28:30 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68685 meant to say this ad's root not route meant to say this ad’s root not route

]]> By: Chad http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68684 Chad Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:27:13 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68684 Of course this ads route is based in homophobia and bullying and anyone not seeing that baffles me.The ad is not ok and for the bend over to please straight society at any cost crowd,you're the ones with the problems. Oh and I have a great sense of humor,but i guess the thug in this commerical is black right,hmm. Of course this ads route is based in homophobia and bullying and anyone not seeing that baffles me.The ad is not ok and for the bend over to please straight society at any cost crowd,you’re the ones with the problems. Oh and I have a great sense of humor,but i guess the thug in this commerical is black right,hmm.

]]> By: An Other Greek http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68683 An Other Greek Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:20:12 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68683 and, btw, fyi, Mr. T is a warm, charming, loving person, and not homophobic in the least. glad to see he's making $$'s again. ------------------------------------------------------- and, btw, fyi, Mr. T is a warm, charming, loving person, and not homophobic in the least.

glad to see he’s making $$’s again.

——————————————————-

]]> By: mark http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68673 mark Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:01:40 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68673 It could be worse, as the ad does represent heteros as Mr T.....ugh! It could be worse, as the ad does represent heteros as Mr T…..ugh!

]]> By: CondeNasty http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68668 CondeNasty Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:56:15 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68668 Yeah, its stupid and not really anti-gay. We have bigger fish to fry. Yeah, its stupid and not really anti-gay. We have bigger fish to fry.

]]> By: Scooter Bangs http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68665 Scooter Bangs Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:52:43 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68665 I'm on board as saying this ain't homophobic. it's a tad stupid and i don't want to eat anything associated with the racially awkward caricature of Mr. T (yes, I'm gay and of color. I gotta patrol both sides of the street.)but I'm saving my gay foul flag for something significant. Actually, whining about this ad would re enforce Mr.T's silly "not manly enough' rant. I’m on board as saying this ain’t homophobic. it’s a tad stupid and i don’t want to eat anything associated with the racially awkward caricature of Mr. T (yes, I’m gay and of color. I gotta patrol both sides of the street.)but I’m saving my gay foul flag for something significant.
Actually, whining about this ad would re enforce Mr.T’s silly “not manly enough’ rant.

]]> By: REBELComx http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68659 REBELComx Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:42:31 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68659 I made this comment on another blog. But I don't see this ad as being homophobic...stupid, yes. But not gay bashing. Mr. T clearly states that he's after the guy because he's power walking. And if you actually watch powerwalkers, that's how they walk. Gay or straight. It's an activity that makes EVERYONE look incredibly ridiculous. The guy doesn't yelp like a nancy boy after getting hit with the candy bars. I don't see anything effeminate enough about the guy to think he's clearly gay. Who doesn't make fun of that goofy hips wiggling, iron bent arm swinging, practicly no knees bending power walk? I made this comment on another blog. But I don’t see this ad as being homophobic…stupid, yes. But not gay bashing.
Mr. T clearly states that he’s after the guy because he’s power walking. And if you actually watch powerwalkers, that’s how they walk. Gay or straight. It’s an activity that makes EVERYONE look incredibly ridiculous. The guy doesn’t yelp like a nancy boy after getting hit with the candy bars. I don’t see anything effeminate enough about the guy to think he’s clearly gay. Who doesn’t make fun of that goofy hips wiggling, iron bent arm swinging, practicly no knees bending power walk?

]]> By: twistitagain http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68657 twistitagain Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:37:20 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68657 I fail to see how this commercial is offensive to gay men. I am a gay man with many gay friends and none of them, to my knowledge, are speed walkers. Speed walkers of America unite and fight work your pedestrian rights. Gay people... no one was talking about you... so shut up. Oh yeah... that other Snickers ad with the mechanics... was funny. There is nothing wrong with straight men thinking its gross to kiss other men. They're straight. Its expected. My fellow gays... its not all about us. Take a pill. I fail to see how this commercial is offensive to gay men. I am a gay man with many gay friends and none of them, to my knowledge, are speed walkers. Speed walkers of America unite and fight work your pedestrian rights. Gay people… no one was talking about you… so shut up.

Oh yeah… that other Snickers ad with the mechanics… was funny. There is nothing wrong with straight men thinking its gross to kiss other men. They’re straight. Its expected. My fellow gays… its not all about us. Take a pill.

]]> By: Woof http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68656 Woof Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:36:27 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68656 ...I miss the Heinz deli guy (sigh) …I miss the Heinz deli guy (sigh)

]]> By: Woof http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68655 Woof Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:36:05 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/the-homophobic-problem-inside-ad-agency-omnicom-20080722/#comment-68655 That commercial is awful That commercial is awful

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