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HRC Urges Homophobic Snickers Ads Be Pulled from Campaign
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WASHINGTON, February 6, 2007 – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the USA’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, is calling on the makers of Snickers, and its parent company Mars Inc., to pull the ad campaign launched yesterday during Sunday’s Superbowl. The ad features two presumably straight men who accidentally engage in a kiss and then try to distance themselves from any perception of being gay by “doing something manly.” “The makers of Snickers and it’s parent company at Mars should know better,” Joe Solmonese, president of HRC said last night. “If they have any questions about why the ad isn’t funny, we can help put them in touch with any number of GLBT Americans who have suffered hate crimes.” Three alternate endings to the commercial spot are posted on the Snickers website, one of which includes the two men violently attacking one another – which sends a dangerous message to the public condoning violence against gay Americans. Two other video clips posted on the Snickers website feature players from the Bears and the Colts watching the ads and responding to the two men kissing. “This type of jeering from professional sports figures at the sight of two men kissing fuels the kind of anti-gay bullying that haunts countless gay and lesbian school children on playgrounds all across the country,” Mr. Solmonese said. “Eighty-four percent of GLBT students report being verbally harassed at school, and this type of ad only reinforces that. “Is Snickers suggesting that people who eat their candy bars are cavemen? “It’s an odd market to court, particularly after the Isaiah Washington flap a couple weeks ago, which clearly showed that there’s a strong distaste out there for people who portray themselves as anti-gay or holding on to old prejudices and stereotypes. “Mars and Snickers need to pull the ‘Wrench’ ad and the footage of the NFL players out of their campaign immediately,” he insisted. ■ Snickers have pulled their special website, www.afterthekiss.com, which now redirects to their main website. LINKS
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