FOX News Columnist Outraged at Benetton for Suggesting Gay Sex Would Lead to World Peace
Yesterday, we reported that the Vatican threatened Benetton over its use of an image featuring the Pope kissing an Iman, in the brand's new unHATE campaign.
Others are furious too.
Right-wing bloviator Dr. Keith Ablow, who was last in the headlines for suggesting that Chaz Bono's participation in Dancing with the Stars would make tomboy girls want to switch genders, is telling people they should be "outraged", mostly because the ads are so gay:
If you are heterosexual, if you are a leader who believes your position demands decorum, if you are a person of substance who believes you should be valued for your mind, not just your sexuality, if you think that countries and religion deserve respect, not ridicule, you were attacked today by Benetton. You felt it. And you shouldn't be talked
out of your outrage.
The only psychological interpretation of such ads that makes sense to me as a psychiatrist is that the corporate leaders at Benetton literally believe that homosexual sex between world leaders -- or at least homosexuality, as an orientation -- would lead to world peace. They have tipped their collective hands as a company and indicted marital fidelity, faith and heterosexuality, labeling them the real sources of hatred and suffering around the globe. In the collective mind of Benetton, if religious leaders and political figures would just have sex with one another all would be well...
...Make no mistake, this series of images published and posted along streets by Benetton is a declaration of psychological warfare on religious tradition and cultural mores and one that elevates narcissism and sexual gratification above intelligence and leadership. It is a direct message to the young people targeted by Benetton marketeers that theirs should be a generation defined by indulging in erotic pleasure above all else, and without regard to one's religious vows, or moral standards, or respect for one's office and public face, or one's word.
Politico reports that the White House disapproves:
"The White House has a long-standing policy disapproving of the use of the president's name and likeness for commercial purposes," deputy press secretary Eric Schultz said in a statement."
So in less than a week, Benetton infuriates The Pope, The White House, and FOX News and made it on the pages and screens of every news outlet in the world.
No doubt those behind the "unHATE" campaign are slated for promotions.
And if you missed the campaign's beautiful video, check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...




Wow - from images of leaders kissing to pushing gay sex. Ablow is making quite a leap there. If it wasn't already obvious, Dr. Ablow is a disgrace to his profession.
Also, in fairness to the White House - the comment from them was a very measured and reasonable response, it didn't sound infuriated to me.
Posted by: Rob | Nov 18, 2011 9:17:00 AM
There's no such thing as 'bad' publicity... so for Benetton it's a win-win campaign.
Posted by: Married in MA | Nov 18, 2011 9:31:02 AM
Pretty small-minded. Many customs around the world allow for two men to kiss each other on the lips in greeting. Many of my straight "new age" men friends kiss on the lips when greeting. It's not like their whipping their junk out and having at it.
Ablow needs to travel a bit and get out of the U.S. and open his mind. What an idiot!
Posted by: johnny | Nov 18, 2011 9:36:48 AM
"So in less than a week, Benetton infuriates The Pope, The White House, and FOX News..."
They're clearly doing something right! Keep up the good work Bennitton!
Posted by: Alex Parrish | Nov 18, 2011 9:37:03 AM
Yep, promotions indeed! This campaign has done exactly what I'm sure this international retailer intended - worldwide recognition for their brand name. If this isn't a win for them and their marketing department, I don't know what is. As for the campaign's images turning straights into gays, that implies being LGBT is a matter of choice or preference, when, in fact, it's an innate human trait. So, to Ablow, Faux News, The Vatican, et al, "stupid is as stupid does", y'all.
Posted by: HadenoughBS | Nov 18, 2011 9:44:01 AM
I think it rather funny that Benetton has pulled the ads yet, the only time they are popping up is when right-wined people wanting to bash Homosexuals. And on of them is hetero!! The German chancellor and the French president. Nothing to say about that one do they? They have won the campaign move.Good for you Benetton!
Posted by: Michael Deselms | Nov 18, 2011 9:52:11 AM
So wait, let me see if I have this correct:
(1) Kissing = sex.
(2) Any affection shown between men is automatically gay.
(3) It's not OK to mock world leaders.
What a sad, perverted little world inside Ablow's head.
Posted by: John Equality | Nov 18, 2011 10:05:35 AM
LOVE that the Vatican is up in arms about this, but turned a blind eye to the molestation of young boys!
Posted by: thegaytekeeper | Nov 18, 2011 10:12:31 AM
Ablow is a right winger. Isn't it revealing that the majority of these nutjobs are overwhelmingly found in the GOP?
Posted by: Robert in NYC | Nov 18, 2011 10:28:02 AM
Benetton may have created this campaign solely for attention, but the end result of the campaign can't be considered anything but successful. It's exposing a lot of hate under the surface and of course it's always fun to see the religious fundies in a tizzy.
Posted by: Francis | Nov 18, 2011 11:11:51 AM
If kissing someone of the same sex goes "against Christian tradition" in Ablow's mind, then it would follow that he thinks Jesus Himself acted "against Christian tradition.". If He came back to this earth right now, I fear the fundamentalist self-proclaimed religionists would attack Him all over again.
Posted by: Gregv | Nov 18, 2011 11:15:00 AM
it was a beautiful video...Bentton is not any other company, they have always promoted equality and love. I respect them for their message. Kennth Cole is another retailer who has a strong message.
I heard a quote yesterday that resonates...staight guys are always grabbing asses and humping each other and they don't think twice about it...until the gay guys call attention to it...then they have to second guess there actions...hmmmm
just because someone kisses...you are not gay...men kiss men in every other country except here...because people in the Use have a stick up their collective asses about showing any kind of affection...it is amazing the country was founded on escaping oppression...yet we are the most oppressed nation sexually!!
Posted by: tommyb | Nov 18, 2011 11:18:33 AM
"if you are a leader who believes your position demands decorum"
Really? Has fox news EVER toned down any of their ridiculous news coverage in an attempt to be respectful of the president's office?
Posted by: bc | Nov 18, 2011 11:18:58 AM
I'm waiting for the "What would Ablow Do?" bumper stickers.
Posted by: anon | Nov 18, 2011 11:30:03 AM
@ANON- or "Who would Ablow Do?" Or even more accurately "Who Would Do ABLOW????" ECCH.
Posted by: Rob | Nov 18, 2011 12:08:41 PM
Would you start buying Benetton? What a way for Benetton to make a name for themselves & aim to become relevant again :-)
Posted by: Kyle | Nov 18, 2011 12:42:08 PM
I would LOVE to have a few framed posters of these ads. Benetton should bring them to San Francisco and display them in one of the many great museums. Obviously anything that "outrages" the catholic church,the religious wrong and the white house is amazing as far as I'm concerned. Good for you Benetton. I've never bought any of your clothes but heading down to San Francisco's Union Square to purchase a few items. :) Bravo.
Posted by: SFShawn | Nov 18, 2011 1:41:19 PM
i thought it was rather obvious - ending bigotry and prejudice based non baseless mythological nonsense is what will help lead the way to world peace.
what a dunce.
Posted by: Little Kiwi | Nov 18, 2011 1:44:52 PM
Two bits of news for "Dr." Albow:
Most world leaders are men.
Men in other societies kiss.
Angela Merkel is a woman.
Posted by: BobN | Nov 18, 2011 2:03:59 PM
It’s almost become run of the mill these days for a fashion retailer to instigate some degree of controversy when it decides to revamp its image and of course its bottom line.
Trying to sell fashion otherwise has almost become blasphemy...after all nothing sells better than controversy, no matter what side of the coin one stands. Of course Benetton is secretly gloating...even if you're disposed to sending them hate mail.
http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2011/11/why-is-the-vatican-so-against-men-kissing-in-public/
Posted by: scallywag | Nov 18, 2011 3:19:14 PM
Americans are in danger in public hospitals in Mexico City s
Posted by: josue | Nov 19, 2011 10:19:11 PM