With gay marriages about to begin at 5 p.m. today in California, Heinz is using a kiss between two men to help the company sell some mayonnaise in the UK. The ad shows two kids getting ready for school, waiting for their "mom" (a man who looks like a deli counter worker and has a New York accent) to pack their lunches. The commercial, airing in the United Kingdom today, does what it can to make Brits accepting of a two-father household — and I'm not talking about the My Two Dads variety. After the kids' lunches are packed, in comes "dad" for a goodbye smooch.
Will viewers become more open minded after seeing this traditional morning routine infused with a homosexual lifestyle? Perhaps it may have been more shocking to tradition if the lunchmaker was called "dad" and the parent going to work was called "mom."
Some may think Heinz simply wants to shock viewers for added publicity. Considering a straight couple would be completely un-newsworthy, I think it offers social commentary just by getting attention. Did it get yours?
(at the comment)










I'd have done a double take at home but that's all. I don't envy the advertiser. On one hand, it is perfectly reasonable to recognize gay families as here and as valid as any other family. But to so many people it's a political issue that the advertiser stands to hurt the product by association.
1I'll give Heinz credit for going out and taking the early fire. And I'll eat more tomato & mayo sandwiches for them.