McDonald's Ad: come as you are, stay as you are?

OK. We don't get it. This new TV ad from McDonald's in France sets up a situation where a boy gets a phone call from his lover and ends the conversation short when his father returns with the food. In other words, we have a closeted boy who has not told his father about his sexuality. How this serves the gay community or McDonald's for that matter is a mystery. But we do love his voice and accent. Oh La La.

Comments

[Ben]

How this serves the fay community?!
You can not be serious!

For once, it's not all about the busy dad who owns an expensive car, or the frenetic mother with her children. For once this is about another guy, average and gay. The more this sort of thinking permeates the television, the more acceptance there will be for homosexuality being "another part of life".

[Don]

Oh, brother. All you see is a cute actor with a sexy voice and accent. You don't get it because you're not thinking with the head above your shoulders.

Think about it again, ok?

[caucus]

This quite honest, and it does serve the gay community
If the teenager was coming out to his dad in the McDonald's, it would be rather sad wouldnt it? And would you get it more?
It is a little bit more subtle than this, but any gay person can relate to that time, when you had your first (gay) crushes, but had not told your folks yet.
It doesnt have to end the Hollywood way, we do get the message regardless! It simply is depicting an average gay teenager pre-coming out, whose dad is clueless.
Been there.

[Contrarié]

He doesn't have an 'accent'. He's not speaking English.

[Richard Dalton]

The kid is smirking. It's seems as if he's comfortable with being gay. Not everyone comes out to his or her parent at age 12. Give the kid -- and McDonald's -- a break. It's a great ad.

[Richard Dalton]

I want to clarify that I wasn't implying the kid is 12. I'm just saying that not everyone comes out well before they reach this kid's age.

[patdamenace]

"It doesnt have to end the Hollywood way, we do get the message regardless! It simply is depicting an average gay teenager pre-coming out, whose dad is clueless.
Been there."

I think this sums it up well. I especially like the "it doesn't have to end the Hollywood way". This ad is simply realistic, that's it. In the US, you don't even see that kind of things so it may not be perfect, but I would say it's good damn start.

[Kiko]

I can not agree more with all the comments posted here. It depicts a teenager who is not out of the closet with his dad and who does not necessarily want or need to get out of the closet at his age. Everybody (except those who cannot simply hide it because of their behavior) has been in those shoes.

[Brandon]

How come this fag has to hide his sexuality from his father? Lol...guess this proves all gays are ashamed of their sexuality preference...and ultimately have to hide it...lol.

[joe]

i rather see homosexuals like myself portaid like this than those faggy girly types that they portray on shows like Glee ect.

[Vince]

How do we know he's not out? My dad still makes the same comments to me, and I've been out to him for as many years as I've been out (over a decade now). It's his denial. That's how I read the son's smirk. Or maybe right after the commercial comes out, the son does come out. I think the interesting part of the commercial is the unseen part. It's also important to note the commercial is one is a group of "come as you are" highlighting various lifestyles, not just "McDonald's and the Friends of Dorothy..."

[FREELEO]

Many of us have been there. When do we tell our parents? What will happen once I tell them? Will they disown me and put me out (which is a reality for so many lgbt youth)? These are all things that should be considered before we tell our parents.

Besides, for all we know, he could have asked his dad to come to McDonald's so he could tell him and he brought the picture along to give him courage. I'm just saying..

[Mitchell]

Not everything has to "serve" the gay community. I am so tired of people who claim to be "gay" activists worrying and nit picking every little thing. He's gay. He's with his dad. He's a teen. Is it his fathers business at this time or any time that he should know who his son has a relationship with ? I am 43 years-old. To this day I have never discussed my private love life or sex life with my parents because it is none of their business. I have a very happy, healthy relationship with them. How about you simply enjoy the fact that McDonalds even did this ? That in itself is the point.

[scott m.]

you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. this ad is very sensitive and timely for young gay men everywhere. not everything has to be over-the-top or a cause for the day. give it a rest and enjoy the fact that McDonald's is willing to push the envelope a little bit.

[jesse james]

being a homo is a very difficult topic, the son accepts his homoness, but coming out to his dad, everyone has the right to do it, if at all in there own time. this is a step foward in empowering gays and lesbian to first accept who they are regardless of family or planet homo. acceptance of ones sexuality is key. why does someone have to come out, its a comfort level and a distinct understanding of ones family.

-Proud to have been born gay

not out not in i am my own person, I AM HUMAN.

[Shauna]

Honestly i love this ad i think it serves well you know im sure mickey d's is sorry that they can't run a 2 hours long ad about how this boy tells his father he is gay but you know i think the point is there kudos to mickey d's for making this i just hope they have some more balls hidden there and air it in the usa

[Mark]

This ad is a definite move forward. Give the kid a break for crying out loud!! He's presumable only 17 or 18 years old. You have no idea what the relationship between the boy and his father is like. I think the positive attitude the kid maintains throughout the ad means that his coming out is immanent.

[chris]

So much for straight sensitivity.

[chris]

Really. Get a grip. Having someone clearly gay in a McDonalds commercial is a big step forward. Just 'cause IKEA got on the band wagon 10 years ago just shows how long it can take a corporate entity to move forward. And this is in France, not the US. Wonder how long before they do something like that here?