Gay-themed traffic signals take over Vienna

Awesome idea. In an effort to present Vienna as an open-minded city and to improve traffic safety, traffic signals depicting same-sex couples have been installed all over the city, attracting the attention of drivers and pedestrians.

Coca-Cola: My Take on The Super Bowl, The Olympics, and the Opportunity

Kudos to Coca-Cola. The company broke history a few days ago by being the first brand to feature a same-sex couple in a Super Bowl commercial. In case you missed it, here it is:

While I enjoyed the commercial seeing it live, I didn't particularly notice the scene of the gay couple. Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention. Maybe the scene was too quick. Or maybe I'm just so used to it that i didn't phase me. Or maybe it was a combination of multiple factors. Nonetheless, I like the spot - and Coca-Cola - even more now. And so do many LGBT groups and supporters here and aroung the world. But the spot sparked both positive and negative reaction. Here's just a sampling: 

• San Diego Gay & Lesbian News
• WCRB TV
• The Wrap 
• The New Civil Rights Movement
• CNBC
• The Back Lot
• NewNowNext
• Towleroad
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution 
• Advocate
• Elle
• On Top Magazine
• Hollywood Reporter
• Huffington Post

Perhaps my favorite response was from this reporter who criticized the critics of the ad by pointing out what the above article did - that the songwriter of "America the Beautiful," Katherine Lee Bates, was a lesbian: 

Still though, some in the LGBT community see Coke's effort as one to try and combat the negative press they received from supporting the Olympics. And if you live under a rock, the Olympics are being held in Russia, a country with very anti-LGBT laws including a law against gay propoganda. Because apparently our "choice" to be gay is something we can be persuaded into as children. Get real. 

But even if Coke is trying to do something nice for the LGBT community to combat the bad press surrounding the Olympics, my response is... bravo and thank-you. It's something pretty big. And after all, Coke's Olympic marketing isn't a celebration of Russia - it's a celebration of the Olympics, something the Coca-Cola brand has long been known for. Pulling out of the Olympics wouldn't be right for the brand, wouldn't be fair to the many LGBT Olympic athletes or to the billions of Olympics fans around the world. Nonetheless, many LGBT activists are angry at Coke and even boycotting the brand through campaigns like DumpCoke. 

So what can Coke do? The bottom line to the critics within the LGBT community is that Coke's endorsement still supports Russia both by association and in more tangible ways. So I believe there is just one more step Coke must take: Issue a simple statement distancing your brand from Russia's anti-gay policies and denouncing them. 

Coca Cola is the world's most iconic brand. It's in the hands and bodies of more people in more places every day than any other brand. They have a platform not just to support the global LGBT community, but to elevate and invite more people into the conversation about equality and human rights around the world. And wouldn't that be an amazing thing for a brand like Coke to accomplish?

Not to mention, the very culture of the Coca-Cola company is a model for inclusiveness and pro-LGBT policies - so much so that they have a perfect 100 rating from the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBT advocacy organization in the United States. 

Coca-Cola has done something amazing and historic not just in the Super Bowl spot it aired, but in the culture of inclusiveness and happiness it has created both internally and around the world. All they need to do to seal the deal is take a lesson from AT&T by posting their stance against Russia's policies on their corporate blog or website. Coke: The world is rooting for you. 

Swedes are Amazing

...because 2,000 of them just gathered in a stadium in Stockholm to sing the Russian national anthem in support of LGBT Russians.

Richard Branson: No Business With Ugnada

In a recent blog post, Sir Richard Branson condemned Uganda for recently passing a law that severely criminalizes homosexuality. Originally dubbed the "Kill the Gays" bill, the death penalty was ultimately dropped from the law, but it does call for life imprisonment in most cases if found guilty. In his post, Branson says "the dreadful witch hunt against the gay community and lifetime sentences means it would be against my conscience to support this country." He also urges other businesses to take a stand by not doing business with Uganda. Uganda's "Kill the Gays" bill was supported by Tony Perkins, president of the "Family Research Council" in the United States. 

Ad Spotlight: Air New Zealand

Ad Spotlight: PFLAG Australia

Ad Spotlight: Powershop New Zealand

A gay ad featuring the pope? Brilliant. And yes, it's real... in New Zealand. Read more here. 

Mexico Supreme Court Strikes Down Ban on Gay Marriage

Breaking news: Mexico's Supreme Court just ruled bans on gay marriage in the country to be unconstitutional, paving the way for full marriage equality all across Mexico. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Mexico City since 2010, and those marriages are also legally recognized by the rest of the country. Today's ruling means same sex couples will be able to marry anywhere in Mexico. This is a historic moment, because it means a highly religious country like Mexico has been able to come to their senses and realize that religious institutions do not and should now own the civil portion of institutions like marriage. Once same sex marriages commence across Mexico, it should put even more pressure on the U.S. Supreme Court to take action, since we'll be behind both our neighboring countries on the issue.

Google Launches International Campaign to "Legalize Love"

Google recently announced that they’re launching an international campaign to help promote safer living and working conditions for LGBT people around the world:

Though our business and employees are located in offices around the world, our policies on non-discrimination are universal throughout Google. We are proud to be recognised as a leader in LGBT inclusion efforts, but there is still a long way to go to achieve full equality. Legalise Love is our call to decriminalise homosexuality and eliminate homophobia around the world. 

At Google, we encourage people to bring their whole selves to work. In all of our 60 offices around the world, we are committed to cultivating a work environment where Googlers can be themselves and thrive. We also want our employees to have the same inclusive experience outside of the office, as they do at work, and for LGBT communities to be safe and to be accepted wherever they are. 

Read more about the campaign here and here.  

New British Marriage Equality Ad is Going Viral

Coke's Great New Olympics Work

Finally, a social use for QR codes

From Leo Burnett Warsaw.

Tel Aviv: The Next Big Gay Tourism Spot

That's right, Tel Aviv is emerging as an iconic international gay vacation destination. Did you know that Tel Aviv hosts the largest pride parade in Asia? Or that it was named by Out Magazine as the gay capital of the middle east? Or that the city devotes more than a third of its marketing budget to attracting LGBT tourists with campaigns like this one? Or that gays serve openly in Israel's military? I didn't. Here's an interesting article to learn more. 

LAN Airlines Launches LGBT Site

LAN, a Latin American airline, just launched a new microsite that showcases the diversity found throughout South America, and is a one-stop-shop resource for LGBT travelers there. LAN's new LGBT microsite features a host of information and resources for the prospective traveler to South America. It includes detailed descriptions of key South American destinations with information of interest to gay and lesbian travelers. The site also features recent LGBT-related news pertaining to countries throughout South America, as well as events of interest to gay and lesbian travelers to South America, including trips from leading LGBT tour operators.

Marriage in Australia: It's Time

Here's a fantastic new ad from GetUp Action for Australia in support of marriage equality. Next week, Australia's Labor Party will decide their stance on the issue. To sign the petition, click here. 

Today's LGBT History Month Icon: David Kato

Ad Spotlight: Australian Marriage Equality

This new ad for Australian Marriage Equality highlights growing statistics in favor of marriage equality there.

Ad Spotlight: K-Y

Looks like this is running in the UK:

LGBT Rights Around the World

Very cool chart I've never seen before. View it full-sized here. 

Richard Simmons stars in Air New Zealand's new safety video

Yes, this is real. And back here in the states people thought Deltalina was pushing the envelope. On the spectrum of stale/expected to exciting/innovative, I wonder if anyone has ever plotted out the correlation between airline safety videos and the cultures of the countries they come from. In one day, this video has reached nearly half a million views on YouTube.