Media coverage: how are we seen?

[Marge_Innavera]

Not sure if the reaction to this will rise to the level of the Starbucks' "buycott".

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic league, is calling for a boycott of Kellogg's, a sponsor of  the Daily Show, over Jon Stewart's admittedly weird "vagina manger scene" bit:

"We will now send the indefensible picture to their senior management and board, as well as to community leaders, religious and secular, throughout Battle Creek, Michigan. We are also calling for a national boycott of all Kellogg’s cereals. Moreover, I will notify the public via TV, radio and our website about their collapse of decency. This is just for starters. We have the time, money, and the determination to give Kellogg’s some free advertisement."

Read Kellogg's response to Donohue's complaint here.  Some of it is comprised of standard statements about diversity; but as an equality supporter and lifetime cereal junkie, I enjoyed reading it nevertheless.

(also posted at Hot Topics)

[chuckyv]

is this even possible?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2058921/19st-rugby-player-Chris-Birch-stroke-gym-accident-wakes-gay.html

I doubt very much that this could happen, since a stroke can happen in a localised area of the brain, and destroy whatever function that part of the brain performs, yet leave other areas functioning fine. It all depends on severity. But also, I know of no particular area of the brain that controls  sexual orientation.  The sex urge itself is located in the same area that controls vital functions such as heartbeat and respiration, so surely if this person had a stroke that were to affect sexuality (if such a thing resides at the site of the sex urge), he would be likely killed ?

[bubba]

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2012/stylewatch/gallery/met-gala-trends/kristen-wiig-660.jpg


Not sure if this is the right thread for this.


But this picture of Marc Jacobs sparked some discussion on other boards.

But to me it speaks less about the fact he is gay and more about his shall we say "odd" fashion sense..

[bubba]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2141440/Met-Gala-2012-Marc-Jacobs-wins-prize-controversial-outfit.html


A better pic!

[Marge_Innavera]

JC Penney's Fathers Day ad:



The New Civil Rights Movement blog reports that the couple were "Broadway’s Book Of Mormon star actor Rory O’Malley and his boyfriend, who posed for a GAP ad."  The copy reads: "First Pals: What makes Dad so cool? He's the swim coach, tent maker, best friend, bike fixer and hug giver--all rolled into one. Or two."

(cross-posted at Hot Topics)

[canmark]

^^^ and JC Penny created the gay dads Father's Day ad despite threats of boycotting by "One Million Moms" over their use of Ellen Degeneres and ads featuring gay moms. JC Penny is not some cutting edge downtown fashion store. It's middle America, suburbia, small towns. And yet they're comfortable putting gay and lesbian families in their advertising. Makes you wonder what all the fuss over constitutional amendments and 'sanctity of marriage' stuff is all about.

http://www.out.com/fashion/truman-says/2012/05/03/jc-penney-vs-one-million-moms-round-two

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Wen people come up with their group names it makes you wonder because
there are gay Moms, not that they'd want to protest against themselves, but
it's like you're not even really knowing what you're doing.

I don't know if I wrote that so you get my meaning, but I can't think of a
good analogy at the moment.

[donna]

It's like "One Million Homophobic Moms" would have been a better name for the group... 

[Cally]

So those moms would have perhaps 100,000 gay children growing up despised and rejected.

[Lyle (Mooska)]

^^^^^^^^^
Great way to visualize the impact of their attitudes.

***

You have to wonder what kind of mind it takes to look at the two
ads pictured above on this page and see something evil or negative in it.

I suppose it's the same idea with racism.  Those stories about people
who could pass as white and people accepted them, but then were found out
to be black and then were hated.  It's the same person! I never understood how
people could hate or dislike another just because of the way they were born. Same
with gay people, although those who hate or dislike say we are not born this way or
they always are wanting proof of some kind because they won't accept it for whatever
illogical or learned reasoning they have.

It all seems to come in very slow processes.

I like this quote I read somewhere that hints at what people are capable of:
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

[jack]

videos that go viral are one way media makes a difference.
get to work, children...

http://youtu.be/qPyg1orcWBo   

[Lyle (Mooska)]

More and more advertisers or businesses aren't afraid to acknowledge gay people,
especially during June and gay pride celebrations.  In my own neighborhood, on gay
pride weekend our local Starbucks stores employees wore t-shirts with the signature
Starbucks cups in the rainbow flag colors.  The local Tender Greens employees, who
usually wear shirts that have their Tender Greens logo on the front wore t-shirts that
that had subtle rainbow colors in design but the brown logo said Tender Queens, lol!

And this week, from Kraft, we get a picture of their signature cookie, the Oreo:



Of course, some are not amused.
http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2012/06/27/Oreo-Gay-Pride-Cookie-062712.aspx

[bubba]

Heard came out in 2010, at GLAAD's 25th anniversary event. She was dating artist Tasya van Ree.  She has said about her sexuality: "I don't label myself one way or another – I have had successful relationships with men and now a woman. I love who I love; it's the person that matters."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber_Heard


Maybe this should be in the "were they gay" thread. 


Apparently Amanda is now dating Johnny Depp.


Yea maybe when the labels are dropped altogether, the media will just see us all as people..

[Marge_Innavera]

The American "Family" Association has just picked a new target:  Office Depot, which has formed a partnership with Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation:


"Custom products include empowerment gift cards (with a face value of $20), with one of six messages on the front: 'Be Brave,' 'Be Amazing,' 'Be Yourself,' 'Be Kind,' 'Be Accepting,' and 'Be Involved.' Parents, students, and teachers can use the $20 gift card to purchase incredible back-to-school essentials at Office Depot, and afterwards can proudly clip their cards to their backpack or belt loop showing their support of the movement.  Also available will be limited-edition 'Kindness Sticks' Post-It Notes, limited-edition Sharpie pens, and unique 'Bravery Bracelets,' each of which feature Born This Way Foundation's logo, as well as the same six messages of empowerment as the gift cards.

“All products are available exclusively at Office Depot, both in retail stores and online at www.officedepot.com and www.facebook.com/officedepot. Office Depot will donate 25 percent of the sales of these limited edition products directly to Born This Way Foundation, with a guaranteed donation of $1 million this year.

“ 'Office Depot is a place that brings together students as well as their families and teachers, who play such an important role in inspiring and supporting today's youth,' said Cynthia Germanotta, President and Co-Founder of Born This Way Foundation.

“ 'With Office Depot's support, we will empower millions of young people this back-to-school season, letting them know that it's okay to be yourself.' "


The AFA is urging its members to contact Office Depot, calling the partnership "horribly irresponsible and will ultimately lead children to a higher chance of becoming victims to alcohol and drug abuse, depression and even suicide."


For anyone interested, contact the OD officers below with expressions of support:

neil.austrian@officedepot.com  Chairman

kevin.peters@officedepot.com   President

robert.moore@officedepot.com   Chief Marketing Officer

kathy.campbell@officedepot.com  Senior Customer Advocate

Corporate office:  561-438-4800

[canmark]

It Gets Better video from the Austin Police Dept.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBPhJjzLjmk