While Australia’s the Get Up! campaign created a memorable and heart-rending marriage equality commercial with adorable muscle cubs, we have boring lesbian lookalikes discussing semantics. Aesthetics aside, the real question is which ad would actually encourage voters and politicians to support our unions.
US VS. AUS
Why Aren’t American Marriage Equality Ads Nearly Half As Good As This Australian One?
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GOB
Because the marriage equality ads in the US are developed by and targeted for wealthy white couples. The powers that be have no time for anything that isn’t generic and run of the mill.
jason
Australia is a very anti-gay country. I wouldn’t even bother going there.
As for the ad, it won’t achieve anything. Australia’s politicians on both sides of the fence are extremely homophobic. The Labor Party, which is supposed to be more gay-friendly than the Conservative Party, is very homophobic.
Tommy Shepherd
Well it made me tearful. I’d marry him.
The One Who Knows
Probably b/c ‘leadership’ here in the US is more about being politically correct than developing something that actually works.
Dorothea from Germany
Very beautiful ad. I got teary-eyed. I wished something like this would be on German TV.
In Germany, we don’t have any marriage equality ads. Most straight people here falsely assume that we already have marriage equality. It’s because media usually refer to registered partnerships as “gay marriage”.
timncguy
It’s very well made. I don’t know whether it would be effective here or not. I do know, at two minutes in length, it’s too long to be a TV commercial.
Ben
@jason: I think I disagree. Polling shows most Australians have supported marriage equality for a long time. And it seems like many Labor members support it as well. If Julia Gillard wasn’t anti-equality I think we could have expected an amendment to the marriage act already.
But anyways, yeah, it’s a pretty beautiful ad I thought.
Henry
Americans just aren’t very creative. They can’t realize things like, since nobody ever rises the dead, you shouldn’t lie and say somebody did. We know that doesn’t happen. A big big lie like that, combined with a few dozen other lies, repeated over dozens of generations might just lead to a Holocaust, because by that time, nobody can tell lies and truth apart.
Wordsmith
Or, for that matter, this one from Argentina:
http://youtu.be/S1H5kbtT5Mo
btseven
Because “Hate” is taught as a family value in the United States. It doesn’t matter how you paint it… We are taught through the bible to hate those that are different than we are. They should be the same as me, we are taught. This bible thumping bullshit that is taught to us when we’re young is the problem . Change that way of thinking and you will get more tolerance and understanding that not all are the same as you, and it makes you a bigger and better person to have the company of others that are not like you.
Great ad though, very well written and acted by all. It shows the humanity in people and that we should get the love and affection of those that support us. And that LGBT people have the same types of lives that straight people do….it’s not just about sex.
fred
why are aussie men so hot??
CBRad
@fred: Because they’re all descended from the biggest studs of Europe who moved there : adventurers, pioneers, yes- a lot of criminals, too, but.., ranchers, etc.
pdt01
@jason:
A what an ugly colour to paint our great nation.
Unfortunately Our leader Julia is in bed with some rural independents, with “equality” agendas of their own. which takes the shine from our great country.
But the below video gives you the stats,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WMnRxsPWuw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
We may be a sunburned country, but we are also a very accepting and welcoming one too.
CBRad
@btseven: No way! The Bible Christians are taught to love everybody and that we’re “all the same” blah blah. That’s why they should stay out of politics and practical matters. Look how many Christians hide, cover, support illegal aliens in the U.S., because they’re answering to a “higher power.”
Chujek
Now I want to be an Aussie! It’s so sweet video!
Triple S
@jason: I don’t know where you’re getting that we’re all homophobic people. The government (as stupid as it is) is only saying no, no, no because of the old people who would say no,no,no to gay marriage.
Australia is far more accepting than America when it comes to gays.
lemon-lime
@jason: What an idiotic thing to say.
I’m living in Sydney because I was able to be attached to my partner’s visa as a de facto partner (we aren’t married, yet). It took two weeks for them to approve my visa application after I submitted it. You try doing that in the States, married or unmarried, and then come back to me and tell me how anti-gay Australia is.
People in this city and every other major city are extremely gay-friendly. The polls also support my experience. What data are you working off of?
Gonzo
What’s the YouTube link to this?
randy
Such an ad would be very effective with the younger generation, which is already leading towards our side. It would be helpful with fence sitters, and people who never really thought about the issue. They are indeed coming over to our side, as our numbers keep going up.
It would also counter those who insist homosexuality is all about sex.
jason
Australia is less accepting of gays than America. America has six states that allow gay marriage and a few others that allow gay civil unions. Australia has none.
As I said earlier, living in Darlinghurst does not give you a correct impression of the whole of Australia. Generally speaking, Australia is a backward place with a lot of bigotry. There are also a lot of racists in Australia.
As for the ad, why isn’t it being shown on Australian network television? After all, our Aussie friends keep telling us what a wonderful, accepting place it is.
Oh, and did I mention that it looks like an Abercrombie and Fitch ad?
CBRad
@jason: Dude, does this really have to turn into a U.S. versus Australia thing? Overall, I think they’re both great countries. Not without problems, and varied from area to area and everything else, but….I love ’em both!
lemon-lime
@jason: GetUp does run these kinds of ads on television. I suspect it will run on network television. I’ll ask my friend, who actually works for GetUp and helped make this video, btw, if it will run on TV.
I don’t live in Darlinghurst. I don’t care for the gay scene here. I live in North Sydney in an almost painfully yuppy old people neighborhood. Our old neighbors love us. There is another gay couple in the building and everyone loves them too. Marriage equality is not an appropriate measure of a country’s acceptance of us. And anyway, marriage equality is going to happen here pretty soon, I imagine. The old white folks in the government always take a little while to figure out that their constituency has moved far front of them.
Aunt Sharon
Cute as a button, but too young to get married…. at least until he’s met me!
Cam
@GOB: said…
“Because the marriage equality ads in the US are developed by and targeted for wealthy white couples. The powers that be have no time for anything that isn’t generic and run of the mill.”
_________________________
Can we please end it with the idiotic PC racism here? I’m guessing that wealthy white couples like to be entertained as anybody else. The fact is that everything here is so neutered compared to other countries, and these commercials are no different. But go on and be racist some more if it makes you feel nifty.
JAW
@Cam:
Well said!!…
A-holes like gob… just sit and bitch… they do not use their money nor do they get their peers to help or contribute money. People like gob, sit and bitch about those that do give money and get their peers to give also. If gob and their peers want ads to look different… then they should pay for them.
Triple S
@jason: Have you actually been to Australia? Cause it isn’t backward. We have comparatively no hate crimes or beatings in streets or any other kinds of awful abuse (I’m not saying there isn’t any at all, I’m just saying that there is comparatively less). But America does. Look at the Republican candidates! Julia Gillard may say that she’s opposed to it (when she’s most likely not, but these Republicans like Gingrich, Santorum, Perry, Cain and Romney. Oh, and how could I forget our favourite; Bachmann.
Which is more backward?
Andrew
First time I’ve ever made I post, but I had to seeing that Jason has no idea what he is talking about.
Polls show that the majority of Australians and pollies support marriage equality – the thing is it’s not considered a major issue here. Marriage equality isn’t really on the average votes mind.
So the US has 6 states that allows gay marriage out of 51? Aus only has 8 states/territories; give it time.
Jason, Australia is wonderful and accepting place (just like many other nations), our national saying is “Everyone deserves a fair go (chance).” And like the US, we do have a few bad apples.
So Jason,…..”Australia is a backward place with a lot of bigotry. There are also a lot of racists in Australia”. Tell us Jason, how’s the KKK going?
Your simplistic view would be funny if it weren’t so insulting.
Fitz
Because the ads here were made by people like those in charge
at NCLR who insisted on this whole campaign of “Please be nice
to my nice lesbian grand daughter” junk.
jt
the irony of australians and americans arguing over who is more backwards and hateful… They’re both cut from the same cloth. The reason americans find australia fascinating is that it’s like looking in a fun house mirror. It’s the same story only with kangaroos and wallabies. Both are backwards countries that have annihilated the original inhabitants, maintain racist immigration policies, love violence, filled with climate deniers, and give too much power to churchies.
CBRad
@jt: I believe Australia is actually considered one of the least religious countries in the world. (I read that once). But both the U.S. and Australia have the hottest men (their bodies actually have shoulders, unlike most of Europe).
jason
Andrew,
Australia is very backward, don’t deny it. It’s got a culture that swims on booze and homophobia. It’s not a very pleasant place. The degree of gay activism in Australia is horribly low. Gay people in Australia rarely resonate at the mainstream level. Gays rarely penetrate the mainstream in Australia unlike in America.
Keep in mind that Australia’s gift to the film world was Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Talk about trashy stereotypes….
Tim
Hmmm… beautifully shot with dramatic music and a cute guy, yes. I don’t see it changing any minds though.
Dave
@jason As an out gay guy who comes from a smaller regional town in Australia, I really don’t know where you’re coming from. I almost always find people are either accepting or, more likely, they couldn’t care less. If you had some bad experiences in Australia then that’s a shame, but I think you’d be in the minority.
There are plenty of gay people in Australia with a high-profile (e.g. sportspeople Matthew Mitcham and Ian Roberts, politicians Bob Brown and Penny Wong) if you’re judging our tolerance by how many gay celebrities we have. This ad put together by a mainstream activist group is pretty indicative of the level of activism. And Priscilla had some really good scenes in it. I think you should lighten up a bit and stop trashing out an entire country mate.
CBRad
@jason: Weren’t the Mad Max/Road Warrior films almost a homo gift to the film world ?
ted_stalks
@jason:
Seeing as you’re not really constructing an argument and instead spewing out random generalisations about politics and culture, I thought I’d clarify some things.
Firstly, states in Australia cannot legalise same-sex marriage because constitutionally, marriage is only a federal issue. One territory attempted to do so in spite of the Federal Government, but the laws were struck down. If same-sex marriage were a state issue, it likely would’ve been legalised in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania at least by now.
Secondly, unlike America, Australia provides very strong de-facto protections to same-sex couples. The reason why the gay lobby is so focused on same-sex marriage in America is because most states give same-sex couples absolutely nothing – hence the importance of universal federal legalisation. In Australia, at a Federal and a State level, same-sex de facto couples are equal in most aspects to a married couple, with some adoption / reproductive rights and some health / insurance discriminations still in place. By and large, you have many more rights as a same-sex de facto couple in Australia than you do in America. In some states in Australia you may actually have more rights than same-sex married couples in the US – especially with things like inheritance, immigration, employment benefits, anti-discrimination (in the US, sexuality and gender-identity are rarely, if ever, covered) etc.
Lastly, the idea of Australia’s gay culture as backward and the culture in general as homophobic is really exaggerated. Yes, Australia is laid back and casual and that is reflected in its approach to activism – and that is all activism, not just gay. Yes, some parts of the country and culture are very heterosexist, masculinist and defined by traditional ‘conservative’ values – but, currently living in Texas (having also recently lived in New York, Portland and Chicago), I can say it is nowhere near the extent of the American South / West, particularly in terms of the role of fundamental religion in politics and everyday life. Neither country is perfect – I’ve loved living in both countries – and more can always be done. But currently, same-sex couples have more rights in Australia than they do in America. Marriage equality, which even those against it have conceded in Australia is inevitable, is really just about the last few pieces of law and the symbolism of ‘true equality’.
So if you’re going to make comparisons, try and back them up a little more for the sake of fairness.
~PR~
Jason speaks in sweeping generalizations. That’s his language. Don’t take it personal, he hates everyone.
Graeme
I’ve come to realise that Qweerty can’t publish any story on Australia without @jason popping up immediately to dis the entire population of our nation. I think it’s time we just ignored him completely or got together to buy him a ticket to visit.
Brian
@ Jason: gay sex happens, it doesn’t know borders. I like knowing that in Australia, there’s at least a conversation going on to get us marriage equality. We should only hope that our fellow brethren in places like Kenya would be on the same footing as us in Australia.
@ Everyone replying to Jason: O-m-gee-bees kids, great to read you’re part of the fight. We know the situation, we know what’s going on in Australia. Our fight isn’t with someone who cruises gay news blogs, but with “the man” who’s keeping us down.
Kamikapse
So the one with women is boring and the one including a moderately good looking guy is so much better?
Right…
Cam
Sure Australia has it’s major backward and back water areas just like the U.S. They still have issues with racism and anti-immigrant fervor. In fact a political party recently sprang into existence for a while based mostly on anti immigrant feelings. The One Nation Party.
That said, Australia also has a lot of acceptance. In other words, we’re not as different from each other as people in each country probably think we are. 😉
Tommy Shepherd
Well, I didn’t really know much about Australia, but after reading the negative comments about it on this thread, I did some reading up about it, and talked to a couple of gay Australian friends who live in my neighbourhood. And I’ve decided it sounds like a really interesting place. For my next month-long vacation I was planning on going to the United States as I do every year, but now I’m going to go to Sydney instead.
So had Jason not being so spitefully negative and racist about Australian, I would never have even considered visiting Australia.
Keep it up Jason – your racism and hatred are having the exact opposite effect on the readers of this site that you hoped for.
Jim
It seems to me that American “Marriage Equality” ads are always created to defend against some anti-gay law or an amendment, while this Aussie ad simply seeks to change personal opinions. Our American LGBT groups should consider funding a PSA-styled ad and air it in a bunch of states, for no particular reason other than to change opinions about marriage equality. If we can change opinions, we can thwart discriminatory laws from being written in the first place, and maybe even reverse the impact of existing laws.
SEXXYJAMAICAN
@GOB: There are Marriage Equality Ads that target LGBT POC on other gay sites you just won’t see them on Queerty..
Pete n SFO
I think the American ads tend to be the result of oxygen-sucking research groups intent on not offending anyone with our message. The NY Marriage-Equality campaign was the best we’ve had yet.
The Argentinian ads do a great job of juxtaposing the double-standard. The Auz ads are successful for the same reason; they allow people to embrace the happiness of life & then take it away. It’s arbitrary & appeals to our sense of fairness.
I’ve been to Australia & traveled in South America. Every nation is in the world is a melting pot of opinion. I absolutely loved my time there.
And srsly, folks… don’t feed the troll.
hudson
@Tommy Shepherd: well, it made me teary as well. it brought to mind the gay marriage themed take on LG’s ‘Edge of Glory’.
Cory
I think the semantics of this ad are much more effective than our American ads. We could really learn a lot from this. First of all, while we beg for marriage equality, they use the more effective slogan that we should “End marriage discrimination.” Also, the cinematography is beautiful enough to keep people watching and the point of view the ad is shot from encourages people to experience the emotions first-hand, at least at a subconscious level. I think those running ads in states seeking marriage equality should take some notes.
Also, I’ve been to Australia quite a few times and never received even a sideways glance. That’s saying a lot because I’m not exactly the most masculine guy around. Lastly, Australia has a HUGE leap on us in terms of population support for gay marriage. All politicians aside, they’ve got the public support for gay marriage that I’d kill for in the US. I’m sure any negative experiences people post here are merely anomalies because I couldn’t have felt more comfortable on my visits.
the crustybastard
FTFA: “…[our ads] have boring lesbian lookalikes discussing semantics.”
Well said and true.
redball
What’s this actor’s name? He is foine
Bee
Despite JASON’S overall hatred for Australia, he does have a point with one thing:
Despite Australia’s “acceptance” levels, GAY REPRESENTATION in the media is terribly low to non-existent. There’s hardly any gay characters in TV shows or movies, in that respect it’s terribly behind the US who’s record on such things isn’t that impressive to begin with.
Bee
And I might be wrong on this, I apologize in advance and I’m open to correction, but isn’t Australia regarded as one of the most racist counties/continent? I clearly remember reading a news report to that effect. And the aussies I’ve met both online and irl haven’t helped diminish that image.
Scott
This ad made me cry.
Marcel Knighting
Doesn’t matter to me where they come from, as long as it helps to break down some of the ignorance and false perceptions about what it’s really like to be gay.
I added a few thoughts:
http://marcelknighting.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/its-time/
Mark
@Gonzo: If you click the title in the video at the top, it’ll take you to the youtube page.
Jackson
@jason: As a gay Australian, reading that you think Australia is a very anti-gay country upsets me. We’re a great country in which to live a happy and fulfilling LGBT life. We’re better than most already and well on the way towards making a difference.
Get a clue.
Run of the mill
Oh wow, look, another A&F-style “ad” with gorgeous, ripped athletic flawless young upper-middle-class stylish white men representing all LGBT people.
That’s *so* new and edgy. Never been done before.
Ozymandias71
Incredibly beautiful video. Yes, I got teary-eyed just watching it.
As for the question ‘Why can’t we have video ads like this in the U.S.?’ IMO the answer, unfortunately, is simple – an ad like this, as beautiful as it is, would never run on the majority of television stations, particularly in the parts of the country where it would do the most good (Southern/Mid-Western states). Most television stations would simply refuse to run it, for fear of ‘offending’ their deeply conservative viewers – and let’s face it, any television station brave enough to run such a beautiful ad would receive TONS of hateful criticism.
As much as I absolutely HATE the generic, watered-down ads we’ve seen for Marriage Equality in the States, I understand the reason – the more realistic (a.k.a. ‘controversial’) the ads are, the less likely Media outlets will run the ads.
As for the ‘Which is worse, America or Australia’ argument; well the answer depends, at least in this case on one simple question – will the Australian national/provincial news media run this ad? If the answer is yes, then Australia wins.
Just my opinion.
Triple S
@Bee: I can definitely see where you may have come across that. Australia has been known for its racism in the past, but in the past few years, it’s basically dried up completely. Instead of moving on however, lots of people here will keep saying that Australia is racist because they don’t want to be caught doing something racist after they’ve said that it wasn’t.
All in all, Australia is not racist or homophobic. Quite the opposite
Triple S
@Tommy Shepherd: Yeah, come on over! I was thinking of the Shania Twain song then… Australians love to have Americans around. We poke fun at your funny accents. I can hardly say that as I’m half-American myself (dad’s side), but you WILL NOT be disappointed, I guarantee you.
Nick Farben
Love love love this GetUp ad. It’s been burning up on Facebook.. well at least a lot of my friends are sharing it. Makes us swoon, straight boys included.
Nick Farben
Swoon!
Love love love this GetUp ad. It’s been burning up on Facebook.. well at least a lot of my friends are sharing it.
Nick Farben
Whoa, thought my first post didn’t go through because of lag. This topic is getting lots of traction.
CBRad
@Nick Farben: I agree with ya. I think it’s very well-done.
Global Traveler
I’m actually in Sydney at the moment, and while I don’t claim my experiences here to be a comprehensive study in the social standing of the LGBT community, I can say that my experiences here (my third trip) have always been ones of fun, laughter, and not just “acceptance” but more of an “I could not possibly care less” what you do in the privacy of your own home.
We need more of this in the US. I realize that by posting on a QWEERTY web site, that I am mainly preaching to the converted, but our backwards treatment of the LGBT community in the rest of the civilized world is a source of laughter and derision.
Neil Churches
@jason
If you had done any actual research regarding Australia’s situation you might have found out that there is no ‘Conservative Party’ at all – the main opposition is a coalition of the Liberal and National parties. Get your basic ‘facts’ right before preaching further inaccuracies?
lemon-lime
@Neil Churches: The Liberals and the Nationals are both right-of-center (ie: conservative) parties. The national party is far more conservative than the “liberals” but the liberal party is not liberal in the same sense as we use it in the US. Think of them as more like the “blue collar democrats” in the us. Democrats, but definitely conservative on many social issues.
Jason is a total idiot, but the two majority parties in Oz are at least as asinine as the US’s two party polarized system. Neither are terribly representative of their constituencies.
Allen D.
@Run of the mill:
I don’t begrudge people their perfect bodies. Personally, I enjoy that I get to eat carbs & cheese (much better than having a ‘six pack’ in my opinion). I could amp up my workout routine & drop the 10-15 pounds that would make a world of difference… I could start running every day again. But I’m well aware that I’M the reason I don’t have a perfect ‘gay’ body.
But, by & large, I’d say that most of my friends are on the buff & fit side (making them the majority in my area). So, why bitch about it?
Torchwood
I live in Adelaide, Australia and this country is not as pro-gay as Sweden, Denmark or Netherlands but I think we are more progressive than the United States overall. The only states that have marriage are the New England states (NY, Massachussettes, Rhode Island etc.) and only Washington, Illinois and California have civil unions (look it up on wikipedia). Most states dont even allow hospital visitations for gay couples: there was one case in Florida where a lesbian was denied the right to visit her dying spouse. We are not perfect but Id take Aust over Florida or Texas any day.
Curious reader
Damn! I want Jason to post some more gunk…I loved reading all of the @Jason remarks. It is great that someone is inciting so much excitation in these comments as it becomes a much better way to understand Australia from an Australian perspective (through all the patriots).
I thought that regardless of the national identity of the ad campaign, it is a great way to show the normalcy of gay relationships in comparison to the hetero relationships. The difference is that heteros do get to exercise their normalcy politically while the gays do not. So regardless of the national identity of this ad, I think the most important point to note is that this ad is very effective in showing the ordinary state of gay relationships. It really is not that big of a deal..really.
Whether one lives in America or Australia, the family and marriage issues that one deals with are very similar. Two men having an intimate relationship does not vary much from America to Australia. So it becomes pointless to bicker whether the Australians are better or Americans in addressing the issues of equality. The fact of the matter is that both Australian and American gays do not have full equality and that should resonate more so than who has more and where. So lets stop fighting with each other and focus on the big issue: a global equality.
Curious reader
Damn! I want Jason to post some more gunk…I loved reading all of the @Jason remarks. It is great that someone is inciting so much excitation in these comments as it becomes a much better way to understand Australia from an Australian perspective (through all the patriots).
I thought that regardless of the national identity of the ad campaign, it is a great way to show the normalcy of gay relationships in comparison to the hetero relationships. The difference is that heteros do get to exercise their normalcy politically while the gays do not. So regardless of the national identity of this ad, I think the most important point to note is that this ad is very effective in showing the ordinary state of gay relationships. It really is not that big of a deal..really.
Whether one lives in America or Australia, the family and marriage issues that one deals with are very similar. Two men having an intimate relationship does not vary much from America to Australia. So it becomes pointless to bicker whether the Australians are better or Americans in addressing the issues of equality. The fact of the matter is that both Australian and American gays do not have full equality and that should resonate more so than who has more and where. So lets stop fighting with each other and focus on the big issue: a global perspective on marriage equality.
Tony
Having worked in TV I can tell you most general managers are afraid of spots that are 2 minutes. No matter what the subject they feel people won’t watch spots that long.
For it to have any chance of airing here…there will need to be a shorter :60 or :30 version.
pete
I’m Australian and never saw this add until now. I’m glad I did.
I literally cried the whole way through. All I want from life is to be happy with someone I love. And the someone I love will never be a woman. That’s it.
I wish that one day I’ll get married with my family around me. It’s so straight forward for a straight.
This add has really turned me into a wreck but for all the right reasons, it’s reminded me why I need to be defiant.
Peace.