France: Gay-themed McDonald’s ad is all the rage

A gay-themed McDonald’s television ad is stirring up controversy as people question whether the ad is inappropriate, or long overdue in its depiction of young homosexuals.

A McDonald’s Australia spokeswoman said the advertisement was one in a series of clips produced under the “come as you are” banner, which aims to “recognise the diversity of McDonald’s customers in France”.

The company’s Australian campaigns are produced in Australia and there are no plans to run a similar line there, the spokeswoman said.

Australian Coalition for Equality spokesman Rodney Croome welcomed the ad’s lack of judgment and stereotypes.

“This is a refreshingly realistic depiction of a young man who’s in a same-sex relationship, who isn’t angst-ridden and who is in control of his life even as he faces the question all young gay people face: ‘When do I tell my dad?’” Croome said.

“What makes this even more ground-breaking is that it places gay people in the context of one of the world’s most mainstream institutions, McDonald’s.”

“The irony about this ad receiving so much attention is its message is that being gay is just another part of life.”