Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> crew responds to gay audience kerfuffle by bringing on the Village People. Sort of.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/top-gear-crew-responds-to-gay-audience-kerfuffle-by-bring/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/top-gear-crew-responds-to-gay-audience-kerfuffle-by-bring/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/top-gear-crew-responds-to-gay-audience-kerfuffle-by-bring/#commentsFiled under: , ,



What to Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May all have in common with the Village People? Well, nothing really, except for the fact that all of them were present and accounted for at last Sunday's taping of Top Gear in Britain. Sort of... actually, it was four men that the BBC crew hired to dress up like the stereotypically gay musical group of "Y.M.C.A." and "Macho Man" fame.

So, the next logical question: Why? To prove that Top Gear isn't homophobic, obviously. Just last week, word hit the Interwebs that a gay couple had been denied tickets to the super-popular British show due to a rule that TG's cast be made up equally of men and women. The BBC claims it doesn't deny gay people from its audience as long as the 50/50 rule is adhered to.

Never one to back down from controversy, Jeremy Clarkson reportedly said during the taping, "The truth is, we welcome homosexual couples. We particularly like the lesbian sort... I saw a film about lesbians on the Internet once. It looked very interesting." This is sure to smooth over any tensions between the gay community and Top Gear, dontcha think?

[Source: Mirror.co.uk]

Top Gear crew responds to gay audience kerfuffle by bringing on the Village People. Sort of. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBCgayGLBTGLBTGjames mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonrichard hammondRichardHammondthe village peopleTheVillagePeopletop geartop gear audienceTopGearTopGearAudiencevillage peopleVillagePeopleThu, 10 Dec 2009 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: BBC says <i>Top Gear</i> doesn't ban gay couples from show audience]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/06/report-bbc-says-top-gear-doesnt-ban-gay-couples-from-sh/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/06/report-bbc-says-top-gear-doesnt-ban-gay-couples-from-sh/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/06/report-bbc-says-top-gear-doesnt-ban-gay-couples-from-sh/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Is the BBC discriminating against gay couples? As is often the case, that depends on whom you ask. How so? It seems that Top Gear, the Beeb's ridiculously popular car show, has created a rule stipulating that its audience be made up of 50 percent males and 50 percent females, and at least one gay couple was allegedly denied tickets "unless [they] took a couple of female friends."

A BBC spokesperson has responded to the kerfuffle saying, "We do not - absolutely do not - discriminate against same sex couples... the whole implication that Top Gear is in any way homophobic is completely wrong." Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, doesn't quite seem to agree: "It's very odd, but what do you expect from pigs that grunt? Regrettably, with Jeremy Clarkson involved, it's not surprising. The show itself is full of stereotyping of both men and women - but it's funded by gay and lesbian license fee cash as well as everyone else's."

The BBC adds that it doesn't even handle the actual ticketing for the show. A company called Applause Store issues the tickets in quantities of two. Says the spokesperson, "We don't ask people to apply as a couple, we ask them to apply as people."

[Source: AOL TV UK]
Note: AOL owns both AOL TV and Autoblog, but the two share no editorial affiliation.

REPORT: BBC says Top Gear doesn't ban gay couples from show audience originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applause StoreApplauseStorebbcbbc discriminationBbcDiscriminationdiscriminationgaygay discriminationGayDiscriminationGLBTGLBTGJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonRichard HammondRichardHammondsexual discriminationsexual orientationSexualDiscriminationSexualOrientationtop geartop gear discriminationTopGearTopGearDiscriminationSun, 06 Dec 2009 14:09:00 EST<![CDATA[FOLLOWUP: GM orders YouTube to remove "tasteless" gay Camaro promo video?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/followup-gm-orders-youtube-to-remove-tasteless-gay-camaro-pro/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/followup-gm-orders-youtube-to-remove-tasteless-gay-camaro-pro/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/followup-gm-orders-youtube-to-remove-tasteless-gay-camaro-pro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Yesterday, not long after we posted a story about a gay-centered General Motors marketing video for Chevrolet's new Camaro, the video was mysteriously pulled from YouTube. As it turns out, GM itself has copped to the disappearing act, as it reportedly ordered the popular video hosting site to yank the footage.

According to a USA Today article, GM spokesman Dave Barthmuss felt that the video - which featured a pair of so-called 'go go boys in Camaro-branded underwear washing a new 2010 model - was "not appropriate and not in good taste." The footage was filmed as part of a Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen gay day promotion at a Hollywood movie theater.

Despite pulling the video, GM has reportedly launched a more concerted campaign to broaden the scope of its marketing efforts as it applies to the Camaro, with more overt efforts to target gays, bisexuals and the transgendered. It is not immediately clear what (if any) effect pulling the footage will have on the rest of the automaker's p.r. efforts.

[Sources: USA Today; Mlive]

FOLLOWUP: GM orders YouTube to remove "tasteless" gay Camaro promo video? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CamaroGayGBLTGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGLBTMarketingMegan FoxMeganFoxMichael bayMichaelBaypony carPonyCarShia LabeoufShiaLabeoufTransformersTransformers 2Transformers2Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Chevrolet targets gay demographic with new Camaro marketing effort]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/video-chevrolet-targets-gay-demographic-with-new-camaro-marketi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/video-chevrolet-targets-gay-demographic-with-new-camaro-marketi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/video-chevrolet-targets-gay-demographic-with-new-camaro-marketi/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

Wasn't it just a couple of years ago that the American Family Association was boycotting Ford for marketing in gay-centric publications? Fast forward to today and see just how much things have changed. Last month, Chevrolet sponsored an event in Los Angeles called Gay Day at the Movies to promote the release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Michael Bay's latest opus, of course, features a bunch of General Motors vehicles, not the least of which is the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro that plays the leading role of Bumblebee.

A video was produced to promote Gay Day at the Movies featuring a pair of "Bumblebee Boys" in Camaro-branded briefs washing the Bowtie brand's pony car revival. The cheeky (pardon the pun) video is clearly targeted at the gay community and uses beefcake car washers to that effect in a not-so-subtle way.

Will Chevy or GM see a backlash from being associated with this video? Who knows, but the video isn't exactly being shown in primetime on NBC. For the moment, it lives solely on YouTube with a gajillion other vids - and one would have to actively search to find it.

Follow the jump to watch the video for yourself, and please remember to be respectful in the comments.

UPDATE: The video has been removed from YouTube by the user. We're searching to find it again on the interwebs.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Chevy Camaro


[Source: USA Today via Huffington Post]

Continue reading VIDEO: Chevrolet targets gay demographic with new Camaro marketing effort

VIDEO: Chevrolet targets gay demographic with new Camaro marketing effort originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 chevrolet camaro2010 chevy camaro2010ChevroletCamaro2010ChevyCamarocamarocamaro gayCamaroGaychevroletchevrolet camaroChevroletCamarochevychevy camaroChevyCamarogaygay advertisinggay days at the moviesgay marketingGayAdvertisingGayDaysAtTheMoviesGayMarketingGBLTGLBTlesbianWed, 08 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan and Infiniti land on list of gay friendly automakers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/nissan-and-infiniti-land-on-gay-friendly-list-of-automakers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/nissan-and-infiniti-land-on-gay-friendly-list-of-automakers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/nissan-and-infiniti-land-on-gay-friendly-list-of-automakers/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you weren't aware, the website GayWheels.com has been compilling a list for some time now of gay friendly automakers. Entrance into the club is simple, an automaker just has to offer domestic-partner benefits to its GLBT employees regardless of where they work or live in the U.S. Nissan has recently announced that it will be extending domestic-partner benefits to its employees (including those employed by infiniti) in the U.S., and thus has become the 31st and 32nd name on the list of gay friendly automakers. Nissan's revision to its domestic-partner policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2007. Employees in the sales and marketing division of the company have had domestic-partner benefits since early last year, but this will be the first time the benefits have been extended to workers in the manufacturing division.

Feel free to comment, but keep it civil or the privelage will be turned off.

[Source: GayWheels.com]

Nissan and Infiniti land on list of gay friendly automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaygay friendlyGayFriendlygaywheelsgaywheels.comGLBTTue, 21 Nov 2006 18:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford instructs dealers how to deal with anti-gay boycott]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/19/ford-tells-dealers-to-answer-gay-marketing-question-with-custome/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/19/ford-tells-dealers-to-answer-gay-marketing-question-with-custome/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/19/ford-tells-dealers-to-answer-gay-marketing-question-with-custome/#commentsFiled under: ,

One of Ford's veepees', Al Giombetti, said in a e-mail last week to dealerships that when customers confront them about the manufacturer's advertisements in gay publications, to "listen to every customer, correct any misinformation, and ask them to support Ford." The e-mail is considered an acknowledgment that the struggling automaker has been monitoring the boycott launched back in March by the American Family Association and other conservative Christian groups.

The boycott's impact is unknown. Ford Motor Co. donated over $77 million last year, the bulk ($39 million) to educational causes and groups while the rest supporting Asian, blacks, and Hispanics organizations, as well as the gay segment.

Phil Long Ford, a dealership in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where several prominent conservative Christian organizations are based, states it has received about a dozen calls and two dozen e-mails regarding the issue. Says manager Tom White, "The first half-a-dozen calls we got... we said, 'Fine, do what you got to do.' Then we finally started responding back to them, and they came in and [bought] cars or they don't call us anymore."

Related:
Ford shareholders reject proposals to drop protections for LGBT workers
Efforts continue in boycott against Ford for its support of gay market

[Source: GFN]

Ford instructs dealers how to deal with anti-gay boycott originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afaamerican family associationAmericanFamilyAssociationboycottgayglbthomosexualMon, 19 Jun 2006 15:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford shareholders reject proposals to drop protections for LGBT workers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/ford-shareholders-reject-proposals-to-drop-protections-for-lgbt/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/ford-shareholders-reject-proposals-to-drop-protections-for-lgbt/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/12/ford-shareholders-reject-proposals-to-drop-protections-for-lgbt/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A proposal submitted by Robert Hurley of Alton, Illinois to drop protections for Ford Motor Company's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) workers via new language that was devoid of all references to "sexual interests, activities or orientation" was shut down by a vote of 95 percent to reject the proposal. Ford attempted to avoid the vote, but Hurley went to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which ordered Ford to proceed with the tallying.

No mention of the American Family Association's current boycott of the company was made at the meeting.

[Source: 365gay.com]

(Thanks to Emulous1974 for the tip)

 

Ford shareholders reject proposals to drop protections for LGBT workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 May 2006 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afaamerican family associationAmericanFamilyAssociationfordgayGLBTlgbtFri, 12 May 2006 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Lexus joins growing list of automakers seeking gay buyers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/lexus-joins-growing-list-of-automakers-seeking-gay-buyers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/lexus-joins-growing-list-of-automakers-seeking-gay-buyers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/lexus-joins-growing-list-of-automakers-seeking-gay-buyers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lexus is joining its Toyota stablemate Scion in directly courting gay audiences. The luxury brand's edgier, younger sibling has been in the business of marketing to gays essentially since its inception, but this will mark the first time that Lexus has directly sought the homosexual dollar.

Brian Bolain, Lexus' national advertising and media manager outlines the process that led Lexus into the market in a Gay365.com interview. Being gay himself, Bolain elaborated on how and why Toyota rolled out Scion to the gay community, and how such lessons are being applied to the company's upscale Lexus brand.

In addition to discussing Lexus' shifting market strategies, writer Michael Wilke discusses company (and advertising firm) initiatives in place to craft marketing messages that speak to alternative and minority audiences without offending them.

Lexus joins luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac in directly vying for GLBT dollar.

[Sources: 365Gay.com; Lexus]

(Top tip, Emulous1974!)

 

Lexus joins growing list of automakers seeking gay buyers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 May 2006 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bi-sexualBrian BolainBrianBolainGayGay carsGay MotoringGayCarsGayMotoringGLBGLBTGLBTGhomosexualLesbianLexusminoritiesminorityScionWed, 03 May 2006 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford considering amending employment policy's sexual orientation clauses]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/ford-considering-amending-employment-policys-sexual-orientation/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/ford-considering-amending-employment-policys-sexual-orientation/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/ford-considering-amending-employment-policys-sexual-orientation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ford's shareholders are to reportedly consider changing the company's equal employment policy language to exclude any mention of sexual orientation. The move is expected after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rejected the automaker's bid to keep the matter from its proxy statement. As of right now, the Blue Oval's policy includes clauses that specifically outline the company's pledge not to discriminate based upon sexual orientation, but a request by shareholder Robert Hurley has submitted the proposal for consideration.

Ford has apparently been petitioning the government agency to exclude the issue, arguing that its inclusion will hurt the automaker's chances of wooing potential employees at certain universities (that require sexual orientation to be included in recruiting companies' policies), also fearing that backlash stemming from such a changeover could hurt sales to GLBT supporters.

The proxy statement goes out this Friday, at which point shareholders will vote on the issue. The result is expected to be made public on May 11 at Ford's annual meeting.

[Source: Associated Press via Detroit News]

Ford considering amending employment policy's sexual orientation clauses originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Apr 2006 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACLUBlue OvalBlueOvalEmploymentEqual OpportunityEqualOpportunityFordGayGLBGLBTLesbianSECTrans-GenderWed, 05 Apr 2006 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Is BMW hypocritical for marketing to gay clientele without extending worker benefits to the same?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/30/is-bmw-hypocritical-for-marketing-to-gay-clientele-without-exten/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/30/is-bmw-hypocritical-for-marketing-to-gay-clientele-without-exten/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/30/is-bmw-hypocritical-for-marketing-to-gay-clientele-without-exten/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Can BMW eat its cake and have it too?

That's the question Joe LaMuraglia is asking about the German automaker. The editor of Gaywheels.com questions how it is that the Bimmer-builders fail to offer same-sex benefits to employees, yet buys ads in gay-oriented publications such as OUT or The Advocate. This behavior stands in sharp contrast to such automakers like Subaru and Volvo, who offer same-sex benefits to their workers, as well as advertise in gay-oriented media.

LaMuraglia is quick to point out that he is not advocating a BMW boycott. He does, however, question why OUT and Advocate, would accept such funding while being fully aware of BMW's policies.

Shout out your opinion in Comments.

[Source: Gaywheels.com]

Is BMW hypocritical for marketing to gay clientele without extending worker benefits to the same? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Mar 2006 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdvocatebenefitsgayGaywheelsGLBTOUTThu, 30 Mar 2006 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Ten cars for Brokeback boys n' gals in '06]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/03/ten-cars-for-that-brokeback-boyfriend/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/03/ten-cars-for-that-brokeback-boyfriend/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/03/ten-cars-for-that-brokeback-boyfriend/#commentsFiled under: ,

About.com's Gay Life Guide Ramon Johnson compiled what he considers the ten gayest cars in 2006. Johnson himself prefaces the list by saying it's based on a combination of humor, style and sophistication.

With the Chevrolet Impala as the 'Most Likely Low Down Cruiser', the Kia Sorento as 'Best Dragwagon', and the Mini Cooper as the Best 'Twinkmobile', he's definitely addressing the Will and Jacks of the gay community.

Where's the Volvo XC70? Or a 'grossly oversized 60's convertible'? And Johnson's list is limited to American tastes. Where's the Aston Martin, voted Europe's Gay Car of the Year? 

Of note, the MX-5 (formerly known as the Miata) didn't make the list. Looks like it's been replaced by the Solstice.

We've gone a round or two in the past with other publications' ideas of what qualifies as GLBT autodom, see  the posts below for extra credit: 

LGBT community prefers imports, survey says
Coming out... of the garage
Car-shopping site for gay buyers launched

Ten cars for Brokeback boys n' gals in '06 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Mar 2006 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CarGayGLBTLesbianTop TenTopTenFri, 03 Mar 2006 19:00:00 EST