Brewer roils controversy with gay-marriage billboard
New Zealand-based Tui has seen a slew of complaints over an ad that some see as deriding same-sex marriage. The company insists its latest themed ad is just a joke about relationships in general.
That’s the text of a billboard New Zealand-based beer brewer Tui posted in the city of Wellington last week. It’s part of a nearly 20-year-long advertising campaign that uses the “Yeah right” slogan. Still, this particular billboard, which acknowledges the New Zealand Parliament’s April 17 vote to legalize same-sex marriage, has sparked a debate that’s gone on for days on the company’s Facebook page.
Quite a few observers took to the page to call the billboard “homophobic” and “disgusting.”
“What’s with the anti-gay signs Tui?” asked one commenter. “They’re creepy and uncool. I used to like your beer but I can find other brands that don’t offend me and my gay friends.”
After the billboard became national news in the country Sunday, lots of the company’s fans headed to Facebook to defend the ad.
“The day I’m offended by one of your boards that’s the day I know I’m taking life too seriously! Keep it up!” wrote another commenter.
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