Kohl’s makes a big statement this holiday season, as the mega-retailer becomes the latest company to embrace homosexuality with a new ad featuring a same-sex couple.
On Nov. 16, the Wisconsin-based brand unveiled the ad as part of its #AllTogetherNow holiday campaign. In the clip, a family gathers around a table as a same-sex, mixed race couple stands and shares a toast with the family.
“The best part of the holidays? Being together with family and friends, of course,” Kohl’s wrote on YouTube.
We’re celebrating togetherness this season. Tell us who you’re spending the holidays with using #AllTogetherNow. https://t.co/AwnqtakqLj
— Kohl’s (@Kohls) November 19, 2015
The commercial follows shortly after Mattel’s Barbie featured a boy in their holiday ad, making it a first time in the company’s history. While many gave props to the toy manufacturing company, others noted that the little boy was perpetuating “stereotypes” of gay men. A Campbell’s Soup commercial also featured two gay fathers.
As expected, reaction to the Kohl’s commercial was mixed, as well.
“The inclusion of a same-sex couple in your ad suggests to me that you are for that lifestyle,” Chris Burgess of Florida, wrote on Facebook. “I have never been a supporter of the gay lifestyle and will never be.”
Others praised the company for following suit and including a same-sex couple in their ad. “Mad props to @Kohls for featuring a gay couple in their holiday commercial. take notes people,” wrote Twitter user Kevin Hesser.
Regardless of your feelings towards the ad, this is just one of those issues where you’re d*mned if you do and d*mned if you don’t, as someone is always going to be offended. What do you think of brands like Campbell’s, Kohl’s, and Mattel featuring same-sex couples in their holiday ads? Do you feel this is fast becoming the new “face” of America? Sound off in the comment section below.
