Canadian LGBT PSA Seeks to Keep the Winters Olympics ‘A Little Gay’

Canadian Institute of Diversity - Luge

With the official opening of the the Sochi Winter Olympics imminent, discussion around Russia’s controversial laws against gay “propaganda” is still a hot topic. The Canadian Institute of Diversity, is addressing the issue with a new PSA.

Set to the synth sounds of Human League’s new wave classic ‘Don’t You Want Me’, the ad shows a two-man luge team preparing for run by… ahem, thrusting to build-up momentum.

The ad copy reads “The Games have always been a little gay. Let’s fight to keep them that way”.

The ad was created by Rethink, and will be seeded through PR and social channels.

[via Strategy]

Canada

Mother London Creates Nested Doll Set in Support of Russian LGBT Community

Mother London - Russian Dolls

As a sign of solidarity with Russia’s besieged LGBT community, ad agency Mother London has created a set of nested dolls featuring well-known gay icons Elton John, Stephen Fry, George Michael, Graham Norton and Tom Daley (seriously folks… no Freddie Mercury??).

Seven sets of the limited edition dolls will be auctioned off at torussiawithlove.co.uk between December 13th and 22nd with proceeds supporting the work of The Kaleidoscope Trust with the Russian gay community.

In the spirit of giving, Mother London plans to deliver a set of the dolls to the Kremlin as well as the Russian Embassy in London this holidays.

[via Design Taxi]

UK

Bertolli Germany Responds with Facebook Flair to Barilla Chairman’s Anti-Gay Comments

Bertolli - Love and Pasta for All

As the week ended, the uproar continued on social media over comments made by Barilla Pasta chairman Guido Barilla in a interview, Wednesday on Italian radio interview.

Barilla commented that: “I would never do (a commercial) with a homosexual family, not for lack of respect but because we don’t agree with them. Ours is a classic family where the woman plays a fundamental role.”

Barilla went on to say, “If gays like our pasta and our advertising, they’ll eat our pasta, if they don’t like it then they will not eat it and they will eat another brand.”

On Friday morning, Bertolli Germany’s social media agency Orca im Hafen, responded with a Facebook status titled “Pasta und Liebe für alle!” (Pasta and Love for all), and image of various “pasta couples” happily dancing their way along a wooden spoon towards their delicious demise.

While there have been calls for a boycott of Barilla products, the controversy is not hurting their social media followers. The total likes on the Barilla Facebook page has increased nearly by nearly 10,000 followers since Thursday.

[via Ad Week]

Germany

Grey Poupon Keeps it Classy in Support of Gay Community

Grey Poupon - Spread Great |Taste

Earlier this year Crispin Porter + Bogusky delivered a mayhem-filled update of the classic Grey Poupon commercial. Leveraging that same ad creative, the agency has posted a simple, classy statement to Facebook in support of the LGBT community on behalf of the mustard brand.

Above the image of the two gentlemen characters holding hands is copy that reads, “Spread Good Taste”. The Facebook post goes on to mention, “June is National Pride month. Though the festivities technically only last a month, we recommend celebrating all year – because Pride and good taste never go out of season.”

To no one’s surprise, the nearly 1900 comments below the ad is peppered with the usual statements of hate and intolerance, but the vast majority are in support of the brand.

[via Ad Week]

USA