I sometimes muse about the way that the nude male body is hidden from public view, but the female form is considered to be public property.
Apparently this is not the case in the gay community. MCV has a piece discussing the fact that advertisers targeting gay men almost always resort to using beefcake to sell their wares. Doesn’t matter what the product is, chances are it will be accompanied by images of naked men.
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The author ponders what this says about the gay community and how it is perceived by advertisers. She also questions whether gay men are being conditioned to accept it. Are they being “dumbed down” by advertising?
It’s hard for a lesbian to imagine being targeted in this way. The mainstream may consider us ugly, but never dumb.
In fact, I have a gay travel book which pictorially depicts lesbians at art galleries, restaurants and places of historical interest, but the boys are always beachside, resplendent in their Speedos.
Advertising always seems to be about stereotypes, doesn’t it?
I did a little search on “gay advertising” and found the Commercial Closet Association which aims to help advertisers be a little less obvious in their messages.
If nothing else, this story has given me an excuse to post that hilarious gay hot dog ad. I got it from this page which features a number of amusing gay ads. I also like the “We’re just as excited as you are” Volvo ad.