Said Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs for Heinz UK:
It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognise that some consumers raised concerns over the content of the ad and this prompted our decision to withdraw it
The advert attracted more than 200 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority, with it being described as ‘offensive’ and it being ‘inappropriate to see two men kissing’.
Stonewall has called for a boycott of all Heinz products in protest. Chief Executive, Ben Summerskill spoke to PinkNews and condemned Heinz’s reaction as an “orchestrated campaign on complaints”.
If the ad showed a black couple, and people complained, I very much doubt they would withdraw it.
UPDATE: Fantastic post on this issue over at Left in Britain.
UPDATE x2: There’s now an online petition, calling for Heinz to re-instate the advert. At the time of writing, it has over 2000 signatures. Sign it here.
The advert, in case you missed it, is after the jump.
The government has approved the Heads of a Civil Partnership bill, paving the way for laws to give legal recognition to civil unions for same-sex and heterosexual couples.
The proposed legislation will bring Ireland into line with most EU States.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said the bill would have a number of key objectives:
“As well as providing for Civil Partnership Registration for same-sex couples, it will also provide certainty as to the status of cohabitation agreements, and a legal safety-net to people living in long term relationships who may otherwise be very vulnerable at the end of a relationship, whether through break-up or through bereavement.”
However, judging by comments made at Saturday’s Dublin Pride, the move for civil partnerships, rather than marriage, will not be welcomed by all LGBT people in the country, but it is doubtless a step in the right direction.
On Wednesday 2nd July will be a consultation at 7.00pm in Clanmill Housing. This event is for LGBT people who either work, live or socialise in South Belfast or Belfast city centre to put forward their feelings and concerns about policing in the South Belfast area.
There will also be a presentation from the PSNI on Hate Crime stats and what actions they are taking to ensure further reporting of hate crime etc.
If you are interested in attending please email site@qublgbt.org.uk with your name and how many people will be attending so the organisers have an idea for food.
“Heinz is set to challenge some viewer expectations with a light-hearted TV campaign that features two men sharing a kiss.
The TV commercial, which promotes a new range of dressing called Heinz Deli Mayo, breaks tonight and will be supported by a press campaign.
Heinz’ new ad opens with a family on a normal morning routine with a young boy and girl getting ready for school and their father preparing for the office.
The young boy and girl go to the kitchen to get their sandwiches, which are being prepared by a man with a New York accent dressed in a deli serving outfit who they refer to as “mum”.
When their father goes to get his sandwich he says to mum in the kitchen “See you tonight love”.
However, mum barks back “Hey, ain’t you forgetting something?”, at which point the two men share a kiss. Mum then sends the father off with the words: “Love you. Straight home from work, sweet cheeks.”
This year’s Belfast Pride is going to be on Saturday 4th August, and as usual, we’ll be there marching, and we’d love you to join us!
Our new Queen’s LGBT online store is open, so pop in and buy a limited edition Pride 2008 t-shirt to wear on the day. Visit the shop at www.cafepress.com/qublgbt.
The t-shirt is available in a range of colours, and looks like this:
In her first TV interview since the the furore began, Iris Robinson still won’t back down over her comments, saying that she advised gays to seek therapy to “turn (them) around” from homosexuality.
The BBC reports:
“I certainly will not rest until she stands down for what she’s done, because she’s made my life hell since her comments,’ he said. He said he had struggled with coming to terms with being homosexual, something made more difficult by his background. ‘I took an overdose last November because I was finding it hard to cope with being gay – I had no support from anyone and felt on my own,’ he said. ‘I had always denied it but now I’m out and I’m not ashamed to say I’m gay.”
Come join some of our members to celebrate Pride in the South, meeting in Dublin. If anyone’s thinking of coming, e-mail Joel joel@qublgbt.org.uk, and we’ll send you a contact number so we can meet up down there!
I would like to let everyone know that a Public Meeting will take place on Monday 16th June at 5.30pm in Clanmill House. This is an ideal opportunity to discuss recent comments made by Iris Robinson.
Grainne Close has been lucky enough to secure William Crawley, who is independent of any organisation, to chair the meeting as there will be a lot issues to be covered on the night.
Refreshments will be provided so confirmation of attendance would be appreciated.
On Friday the 6th of June, the Strangford MP Iris Robinson, said homosexuality was an abomination and urged gay people to seek counselling.
You can read the full reports from the BBC here and here
Please give a moment of your time to sign the official petition to Downing Street to reprimand Ms. Robinson over her homophobic and unacceptable comments here
The mention, appearance or likeness of any person or organisation on this website is not to be taken as any indication of the sexual, social or political orientation of such persons or organisations.
Posted by pogoism 
Posted by pogoism 
Posted by pogoism 
