Come As You Are

[filkertom]

A French McDonald's ad, of all things:

(h/t popehippo, posting in ontd_political)

Comments

[dragon-avatar.livejournal.com]

I was confuddled by the title until the dad poped up about the class, then felt the "oh" settle into the pit of my stomach. Way to go McDs!

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

I'm ambivalent, I guess -- yeah, go McDonald's, but what a damn shame that it implies dad doesn't know his son is gay, and would probably disapprove if he did.

But maybe I'm reading too much into it?

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Dunno. Some comments on the original thread made that same point. But for McD's to put this out there, with the kid being an obviously sympathetic figure, with the underlying message that one of the largest food corporations in the world doesn't have a problem with him -- is pretty strong stuff.

[awfulhorrid.livejournal.com]

I agree with the caveat that they don't have a problem with him ... in France. I'm quite certain that we won't be seeing this sort of ad here in the US anytime soon because McD's doesn't want to piss off the people that would boycott their stores.

Question being raised by one of my sweeties: are there any other ads in this series? Is this specifically aimed at the LGBT community?

[knitmeapony.livejournal.com]

The implication I took from the look at the end is that the kid is about to come out to his Dad, and I don't think McD's would ever have a non-happy end to their commercials.

[griffen.livejournal.com]

This, and I don't think you're reading too much into it. :(

[batyatoon]

My first reaction is "poor kid," and I kind of want to hug him.

I wish I believed what knitmeapony says below, that the kid's about to come out to his dad, but I don't. If the last beat had been him saying "yeah, um, about that" or words to that effect, I'd believe it.

Still, though, as Tom says -- it is indeed pretty strong stuff that McD's is saying "we accept you as you are even if your parents don't".

[madrona.livejournal.com]

It's nice to know closeted gay kids can...eat fries? Was this an issue?

Hm. I wanna be cynical, but my heart is being warmed against my will.

[joyful.livejournal.com]

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this ad. Actually, I'm not sure what the point of it was. I guess if I knew what they were trying to say, maybe I'd know what I felt about it.

I'm not sure if I find it offensive or complementary or what.

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

As they say "he's lovin' it"

*whistles tag tune*

gap flap and the old man's crap

[cernowain.livejournal.com]

Actually, I think the ad is geared to all teens who feel their parents don't understand them. There is a generation gap now these days between teens and parents, more so than in the past couple of decades. Being accepting of gay sexuality is one of many ways this new crop of teens is different from their parents.

So, the appeal is not just to young teen gays, but to a whole new generation.

bb,

Cern

[arensb.livejournal.com]

Is this the part where I'm supposed to get upset at McD's for forcing their big fat uncut gay homosexual agenda down my throat?

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

Well, now we know who's next on the Phelpsian agenda. If they manage to get away from Dio's funeral in one piece.

[nagasvoice.livejournal.com]

Nice--even if he is closeted.

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

Give him time.