Westpac’s new gay television advertisement

I am not sure if many of you are aware of this or not, but Westpac is now running a new television advertisement showing two gay men getting married. At this point in time gay marriage is illegal in New Zealand, yet here they are promoting it.

News staff at a website called GayNZ said Westpac were not expressing an opinion about it. What a lot of nonsense that is; marijuana is also illegal in New Zealand, but you don’t see Westpac advertising that, do you? I think it is absolutely disgraceful for a major bank to express a political opinion like that, and I have voiced my concern to them about it. In fact, I’ve just written to them telling them I will now withdraw a term deposit. I strongly urge others who are opposed to Wespac advertising in this manner to make an official complaint.

Watch the Ad

Read what GayNZ wrote:

"Westpac says it isn’t expressing an opinion either way on marriage equality in its ad which shows two men getting married.
Among the many situations depicted in the ad is a gay couple getting engaged, with “will they?” the question as the proposal happens. As they get married the questions is “who says?”
The bank says the premise behind the campaign is that New Zealanders can ask questions about any number of issues and topics – some of which might be difficult - but the majority are reluctant to do the same when it come to their finances.
“With all the questions in the ad, we're are not expressing an opinion one way or the other but rather recognising they're things we all talk about – but it doesn’t extend to our personal finances,” a statement from the bank says."

The problem with GayNZ’s argument is the fact that all the depictions of achievement such as Hillary climbing Mt Everest and women’s vote, etc., are in the past and are not a present political issue like gay marriage. This advertisement is definitely promoting gay marriage as a positive issue; one that New Zealand needs to endorse, like women’s right to vote, for example. 

Another gay website called Gay Express said almost the opposite; they see it as a pro-gay marriage advertisement:

"Ground-breaking Westpac ad features gay couple

Westpac NZ has released a new television ad featuring a gay couple on the day of their wedding.
The ad looks at potential, questioning the future and as the couple appears asks “will they?” and “who says?” As the debate for marriage equality continues the ad is a timely reminder of the achievements that are possible.
The ad features pairs the couple alongside scenes such as Sir Edmond Hillary climbing Mt Everest and women securing the right to vote.
It is hoped that this will be the beginning of more GLBT inclusive advertising in New Zealand."