Why the Coca-Cola “gay friendl

Why the Coca-Cola “gay friendly” ad is crucially important [video]

Representation is everything.

Why the Coca-Cola “gay friendl

Alright, we know South Africans are not always the most progressive people.

Like most countries in the world some people accept gay people and some condemn them. And while the majority of South Africans might be accepting of LGBTQI people, I have to wonder why are these groups not represented more in the “mainstream“?

Last week 7de Laan was equal parts praised and pummelled after screening a gay kiss for the first time ever.

Let’s unpack that for a second. 

Most of us apparently accept gay people, but if they are truly accepted then why don’t we see them more in our TV shows, movies and general advertising?

You might wonder why this even matters. Well, it’s simple. Being gay or bi or any kind of [something]sexual, is a NORMAL thing. You know, like being heterosexual. But it seems society doesn’t quite acknowledge it yet. Representation matters because it helps young, gay people feel normal.

Disney’s 2017 remake of Beauty and the Beast features the company’s first ever openly gay character, the first coming ONLY NOW in 2017. Cartoon Network also recently included an animated gay couple kissing on one of their shows, the scene showed a variety of couples kissing at what appeared to be high school event.

Before you say kids shouldn’t see that so young, Cartoon Network and Disney have included mild kissing scenes for eternity.

Representation also helps fight homophobia. For LGBTQI relationships to truly be recognised as normal and accepted, ALL forms of media have to stop pretending (or ignoring) the fact that they exist.

A simple Coca Cola advert is the latest to move in the right direction, the most famous or “normal” drink in the world is showing a plausible scene from any normal day to day life. Kudos to Coke, the rest of the media world please follow suit.

Check out the ad below.

 

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