McDonalds Ad Featuring Son Coming Out as Gay Blasted for 'Polluting Young Minds' by Religious Groups
A McDonald's ad in Taiwan featuring a son coming out as gay to his father is being criticized by religious groups in the country for "polluting young minds."
The short video features a young man revealing to his father that he is gay in a McDonalds restaurant by writing "I like boys" on a McCafe coffee cup. The father considers the revelation, and then writes "I accept that you like boys" on the cup, to the young man's relief.
Several conservative groups in the country, which is predominantly Buddhist and Taoist, have blasted McDonalds, however, calling for a boycott on the fast food chain for promoting LGBT propaganda.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Because McDonald's is frequented by many children, it is especially important to oppose the promotion of same-sex behavior," said Chang Shou-yi of the Alliance of Taiwan Religious Groups for the Protection of Family, according to Fox News.
Chang added that the ad, which has been viewed over 1.7 million times as of Friday morning, is "polluting young minds."
Same-sex marriage is not legal in Taiwan, though some cities have began registering gay couple unions this year.
McDonalds has explained that the purpose of the ad was "to show the spirit of open dialogue between family members," and that "different voices can be accepted in society."
A Similar controversy broke out in the U.S. in 2014 when Burger King introduced a limited-edition gay pride Whopper with a rainbow wrapper in support fo the LGBT movement, which prompted Christian conservative groups to speak out.
"Even though this promotion was at just one location, as a chain, Burger King is promoting homosexual behavior as healthy and something to have pride in," said American Family Association President Tim Wildmon at the time. "We believe that promoting and encouraging unhealthy behavior will drive families away."
Other Christians, such as Alan Noble, co-founder and editor of Christ & Pop Culture, argued that Burger King is simply trying to ride a public trend for profit.
"By boycotting Burger King for this lame promotion, evangelicals are validating it as a legitimate political and social statement instead of a cheap and tactless co-opting of the LGBT movement for profit," Noble wrote back then.
"Most of all, focusing on silly faux-political/moral 'stands' like Burger King's only distracts us from richer and more edifying work.
