Complaints that a McDonald's ad promoted homophobia have found no favour with the Advertising Standard's Complaints Board. "N. Long" expressed concern about the TV ad, where McDonald's promoted its support for FIFA World Cup and the fact their stores were either open late or 24 hours. It depicted a man arriving home at night with McDonald's. Two other men are asleep on the couch, with one resting on the other. One of them wakes up, looking slightly embarrassed at the situation, when the man with McDonald's makes a loud slurping noise with his drink. The complainant believed the ad implied that two men falling asleep on each other is abnormal and shameful and therefore promotes homophobia. Another person also complained to the board, with similar views. The ASCB ruled there were no grounds to proceed, saying the ad was not likely to cause either serious or widespread offence or ridicule in the light of generally prevailing community standards.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 21st August 2010 - 3:57pm