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Snickers ad pulled after 'anti-gay' concern

Thu 31 Jul 2008 In: International News

A British TV commercial for a chocolate bar featuring ‘80's The A Team star Mr. T has been pulled over concerns it could cause offence to homosexuals. Mr. T fought crime in the '80's - and now punishes 'speed walkers' The ad, shown below, features Mr. T firing chocolate bars at a weedy-looking speed walker and yelling: "run like a real man!" Even though it has never been shown in the US, and only prompted two complaints to the UK's Broadcasting Standards Authority, the US-based Human Rights Campaign wanted the ad taken off air, saying it "perpetuates the notion that the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community is a group of second class citizens and that violence against GLBT people is not only acceptable, but humorous". A spokesperson for Mars told The Guardian that the ad was meant to be "fun": "We understand that humour is highly subjective, and it is never our intention to cause offence. "Accordingly, we have pulled the Mr. T Speedwalker ad globally." The commercial was made by the same agency responsible for a Heinz Deli Mayo ad showing two men kissing, which was withdrawn last month after around 200 viewers complained. This story prompted a negative reaction from New Zealand readers when posted on the Stuff.co.nz website, with several readers wondering what all the fuss was about. "If the gay community can't see this as funny, they will never become accepted by the boarder community who can and do regularly enjoy a laugh at their own expense," said one comment. Another opined: "How on earth could this be perceived as directed at homosexuals? It's just a funny ad. Man, PC [political correctness] has gone way too far!" The commercial can be viewed below, and more on this story is available on the links provided.    

Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff

First published: Thursday, 31st July 2008 - 2:26pm

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