Fashion : When Tiffany & Co. Advertises For Gay Men….
Jeweler Tiffany & Co. is featuring a same-sex couple in their latest ad campaign. “The ads are meant to broaden the 178-year-old jeweler’s portrayals of marriage”, Tiffany & Co. said.
Tiffany & Co. is the latest major fashion company to depict gay men in their ads. In recent years, several other major fashion companies have also featured same-sex couples, including Gap, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Dolce & Gabbana and many more.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it is a great progress? Or do you think some of these companies are only trying to get “pink money” by showing gay men in their ads?
Let me know!
Dave
You bet!
It all breaks down to the “mighty American Buck (read: dollars)
Once the state of California found out “number crunching” how much state REVENUE would be made off gay marriage? They said “Cool, OK!~”. That is what this whole fucking thing boils down to, is “economic revenue”. There is the segment of gay men who are “DINKS” (Dual Income, No Kids) and have a LOT of money to spend on THEMSELVES (this should to no surprise, gay men are becoming increasingly self absorbed).
Once the state of California figured out that “allowing gay marriage” could add an additional 3 BILLION DOLLARS TO THE TAX ROLLS, things changed!
The “shot in the foot” of course behind all this advertising is the “loss of the straight clientele” due to now “Tiffany, Banana Republic, Gap, et al being associated, and most probably with a negative stereotype due to being advertised to “potential gay clientele”.
It’s all about who has the most money these days, PERIOD.
Yeah, why not? Gay men tend to have larger disposal budgets, and if we desire to raise our community profile, then why shouldn’t major retailers market directly to gay men? (Big alcohol has been courting us for years) It doesn’t hurt for everyone to acknowledge that LOVE is not a straights-only emotion. I actually believe the idea of commitment (in many of its forms) is a great representation for this community! Welcome to the mainstream gentlemen, now be kind to your brothers & put a ring on it! 😉
It’s a step in a direction not sure if it’s good or not. It’s nice to see companies broaden their target markets but wouldn’t it be better to have a market to only cater to lgbt communities or a cater to everyone market
It’s both. Of course they’re doing these ads in an effort to increase sales, and targeted ads(those ads ment to identify with a particular group or subsection of society) are the best way to do that. But the ads are also a step forward, mainly because as large institutions(those religious, commercial, and political) become more accepting of these ideas, the people in the society that support those institutions will become more accepting as well.
Dave…I doubt they would make a large investment in this ad without the idea of more $$$$. I say let`s get use to it! Kinda like another business coming out of the dark ages.
As an executive in advertising and Marketing/PR, I think companies featuring a gay couple should be applauded. I understand the cynical viewpoint of “is this company just trying to get a piece of that gay dollar?” But, let’s not forget that these companies have gay employees, shareholders, designers and marketing teams too. Maybe we as a community should simply support the companies that support us. And besides, what gay man wouldn’t want a box from Tiffany’s?
ATLgroove, I definitely want one 🙂
Personally, I think it is likely some of both.
As companies, of course they would court the pink money. But with our progress, it is much easier for a company to show progressiveness now than before.
I think it’s great that companies are recognizing the gay community and showing their support. By doing so they are helping to desensationalize the world by showing that we are no different. Love is love. They’re doing us a solid so if they make some “pink money” along the way, kudos to them.
Yes, it is great progress, and of course they are doing it for the money. Those reasons are not mutually exclusive. Personally, I’m grateful for this development in the fashion world.
If only more gay men actually respected marriage instead of all being in open marriages
Watever it is its a step in the right direction.”the journey of a man begins with one mile” I just wish that we as a community would non discriminate, on age , race.why they love us if we don’t love ourselves
Well said, Christopher. This guy’s response nailed it perfectly. 🙂
The day that the United States Supreme Court announces that
the USA is beginning to catch up with the world & honor same sex marriages TOTALLY will be a day to rejoice regard-
less of if the person is gay, straight, or what have you.
Big companies have been courting same sex, etc. for many
years. That’s why some companies have created entire
divisions and section to deal with this timely topic.
If all the GLBT and the cohorts stop spending the economy
would go into an uncontrollable tailspin with no way to stop
it. Its not a GLBT issue, but an economic issue.
This is but one more sorry example of the eventual destruction of queer culture. Look, it ain’t working for breeders anyway. Why emulate it? Now, if anyone wants to buy me one of those Tiffany yellow diamonds, I’d certainly consider eating the words I just wrote.
It’s all about money, full stop. Now that the political culture has shifted, Tiffany is free to cash in on a market demographic that was previously off-limits for fear of tarnishing the Tiffany brand. As for wanting a little blue box from Tiff, thanks, but no thanks. Buyers pay a massive premium for the Tiffany name, without a commensurate increase in quality. Precisely the same products, but without the Tiffany mark, can be had from other sources for a fraction of the cost. My money is too hard-earned to waste on a mark.
I think its great
I wish more people would accept the fact that everyone isnt heterosexual, sure would make life easier for everyone
If 2 men or 2 women r a couple no one should mind. They arent bothering anyone and its their life
the more businesses that picture a gay couple in an ad sure helps people think and maybe agree that a same sex couple is ok
All advertising is marketing. Different audiences are targeted but it is all for the bucks.
I do think this is a step in the right direction as long as it is done tastefully.
The Tiffany ad is very tasteful. It speaks well…of…and to…our community. It portrays love between two men but without any hint of sleaze.
If we must be stereotyped, I definitely prefer this upwardly mobile one vs. some of the others which are way negative.
Still, let’s not get so caught up living the good life that we forget there are plenty of gay men and women who are living week to week in low-paying jobs. If they can find a job. I’ve lived on both sides of the tracks and it’s better on the sunny side but many of us never cross over.
Of course it’s all about the green, but no less so than when they feature blacks, hispanics, teens, AARP members, etc, etc. Marketing is all about images that the viewers can relate to and have a sense that the ad is talking to them. I think the key is that the LGBT community is becoming less “invisible” and therefore fodder for exploitation like all the rest of the consumers out there. A dubious honor if there ever was one.
Proposition 8 in california was overturned by the court. Money had nothing to do with it.
Our societal shift towards same-sex marriage is reflected by tiffany’s and other companies. That they are now showing us in mainstream advertising and not just offering tacit support in our niche publications is a sign, not a symptom.
L
Personally, I’m offended by the generalization that we’re all DINKs with money to burn.
A fellow visited me on the DL, married to another fellow. He took off his wedding ring and somehow that absolved him.
Gay men are hard wired differently. They cheat.
Regardless of the modus operandi, these types of ads are definitely advantageous to our community. The more often that straight people see things like this, the more they will realize that we are not monsters lurking around dark alleys in trench coats waiting to expose ourselves to small children and elderly christians. The time has come that Mr. and Mrs. wholesome middle America stop being shocked and horrified at the sight of two men holding hands and kissing (hopefully with tongues).
P.S…I’m looking for a husband!!
TChristopher1 (profile name)
It depends on their location and most target audience, if a brand o product promotes approval of homosexuality in a conservative town they’re gonna have a very bad time.
Of course they’re in it for the money – that’s the whole point of running a business! Lots of businesses target specific demographics, like pharmaceutical companies marketing drugs to older people or clothing companies selling to teenagers. Tiffany would not be showing these ads if they didn’t think there would be some sort of profit in it. Good for them.
Love Tiffany’s our wedding rings are from there and this was way before this ad came out. Support those that support us!!!
We wanted equil rights, we want to treated the same, we wanted to be normal, so there you go,
Tiffany is using photo of these guys because it sells. Two good looking, well dressed, urban gentlemen. By all indications, they are gay and in love. A “nice” picture. Awh. Society has evolved to the point where people can handle that.
Media releases indicate the two men are an actual couple, not actors or models. More awh.
Its 2 steps forward & one step back. I applauded companies that use gay models or portray gays in a positive way, but yet I can’t help but wonder if they just doing it for the “gay buck” or “pink dollar”. Anything that shines gays in a good way I support them. Christopher not all gay men are self asborbed as you say. I work hard for the things I want, so why can’t I have the same things (house, car, career, & so on) like straight can? There plenty of straight men who don’t want kids and those who are father are mostly deadbeats. Yes I want kids, but the state of Florida does not allow gays to adopt nor have I found a woman who would like to be a surrogate for. I think it be nice to hear the sound of little feet around my house besides the dog’s feet. Until then I got 8 god-children that I treat as my own and one of them is turning 16 next month (ugh driving time, lol)..
I agree totally with ATLgroove! This leads me to think about what will follow the ‘legalization of gay marriage and gay rights’ on a national basis? After everything is said and done, how are things going to be; will it actually increase acceptance or just create an even more defined minority? The land of milk and honey is rapidly becoming a great big casserole. Guess that’s another entire topic in itself!
“Marriage” has always been a business transaction/contract from day 2. They were arranged to keep family lines together, with a dowry of home made linens, silver candle sticks, livestock and a small plot of land. Girls were married off at the age 0f 11, buys 12-13, and the life expectancy was shorter, 35-40. Traditional marriages have had a 50% divorce rate for many years, sex and/or money have been the leading causes. No matter what label or percentage you put on yours or someone else’s sexuality, men can easily separate love and emotion from sex, more so than women. Men are biologically wired for sex and procreation, and spread their seed wherever and whenever they can. It’s obvious, even in sites like these, to see married “men” looking for sex, either that they “aren’t getting any at home” or just still in the closet, or they don’t feel the need to fall into the trap of labels, and stereotypical behavior of a large portion of out gay men. Open relationships are a sham, and is just convenience, you aren’t committed to your partner exclusively, and really goes against the Oath you took to be married. You just have a momentary arrangement that works for you, and not based on anyone else’s. There will always be a portion of people who are against it. You are going to do what you want, regardless.
I find your comment / question humorous.
It is an add campaign. The only thing an add is for is to generate income.
Companies place an add to make money.
I like the comment from Terrence.
Marriage does not work for the breeders, why should it work for us.
NO hostility just reality.
It’s both. Don’t over think it…
Is Tiffany’s selling stylish, fashionable cock rings? Now that would be marketing to the gay community.
Have to say I am not surprised at the advertisement. Tiffany has been suporting it’s gay employes and gay causes for years. They have had same sex partner benefits for about 12 years now and have been suporting gay causes for a lot longer than that.
when they start advertising to us, they will be able to determine our self identity through how they pander to us. I’m not trying to be a debbie downer, but lets be a little more introspective and discerning about how we are advertised to and not just imagine that we’ve succeeded in influencing public opinion because some company wants our money.
think teen eating disorders, think “you’re not a man unless you ______.” Lets notice and take pride in strides, but not everything in the normal accepted world is good and worth wanting.
The dollar drives everything in the business world but, also as times,laws, and perceptions change so do the advertising concepts. There are many closeted business owners and designers that for years could not let their true feelings be know about anything sexual unless they were heterosexual, then it was totally acceptable.. Now they can target people not life styles
it actually good, even if they for sure do it for the $$$
Lets all be thankful to Will and Sonny…days of our lives….took a daytime soap opera to open the way
I think it’s great and about time! I also noticed Android ran a commercial which had a young gay guy on his knees proposing to his future husband, optimism has him saying yes of course!
I think it’s just a sign of things to come. Let’s not allow our cynicism continue by focusing on the added revenue these companies desire. It wasn’t that long ago you never saw interracial couples on TV either. Society has become so accepting with that and gay acceptance will surely follow.
Personally, the little turquoise box has always been one of my fantasies. Even though I could have purchased this for myself long ago,the thought of someone giving it to me now warms my heart. I will bet the person who thought this ad up was gay,so live and let live
As an employee of Tiffany & Company, I can attest that many of “us” are employed there …they have always respected the individual diversity which makes every person real.
Bravo
Christopher!!! Your answer rocks!!!! You are right!!!
I am so glad to see this ad!!!! I think it makes a statement not just for homosexuals but for heterosexuals as well that everyone black white blue green gay straight bi whatever deserves to have the same rights & freedoms to love who they choose. And I think that more ads like these will open people eyes to the fact that the ways of the past are over and that if this is truly a free america then lets make it that way for all people alike. God put us all on this planet and created all of us different for a reason to love and be loved. Its society that has put so much hatred and discrimination into the world and this is just a sign that things are changing for the better and people need to be more open minded to change. I commend Tiffany & Co. for this ad