By STEVE MINON
In this video, set in an ultrasound clinic, a young pregnant couple are about to be told the sex of their baby. Not just the sex, but something else too, that you wouldn’t expect. What’s surprising and endearing is their reaction to the news they’re given. Would you react that way? I hope so. I wrote this commercial to ask you a question. What R U having and if you really knew, where would you stand on issues like equal marriage?
I admit, the scenario depicted is a perfect world scenario where unconditional parental love is clearly in play. It’s sad that it’s a fantasy. Sad that young, frightened teenagers are forced to “come out” to their parents. Sad that many feel guilty about it their whole lives, being the bearer of what seems like bad family news.
I feel for the parents too of course. It’s not something they’re usually prepared for. And that’s the whole point of this commercial. It’s asking you to consider the possibility that one day someone in your family will come out to you and maybe want to marry someone of the same sex. If you haven’t considered the issue from that angle, then maybe you should.
I made this commercial on the request of Shelley Argent who is one parent who knows well the reality of inequality. She’s the mother of one gay and one straight son. One who can marry, one who can’t. Since Shelley launched this video with the help of billboard giant GOA, the video has gone viral. Even Ricky Martin saw it and tweeted about it. Thousands of everyday people have also shared it. I hope the politicians are watching it too.
Steve Minon began his career in Brisbane as an ad writer in the late Eighties but left the business when he sold his ad agency. He now creates restaurant concepts mainly so he won’t starve while he tries to become a ‘serious’ writer.
Top Comments
Great ad. In the debate about homosexuality, one is sometimes left with the perception that the some parts of the community think we are aliens that arrived to earth in a spaceship. In fact we are the sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles that came from hetrosexual families. We belong to, and form part of those families, and we are a normal and natural part of society.
In the ideal world, wouldn't that be great.
I always think that if it was anyone's "fault" that my son is gay, it is certainly not his. He had nothing to do with it.
It will be along time yet before anybody would be happy to be told that. Only because, while things are changing, every parent wants their child to be happy and have a happy life. My son is happy but there is no question that it is a harder row to hoe. My husband and I have always been totally accepting even if I worry, but worrying is what I am best at.
Thank goodness times are changing. They can't change fast enough for me.