Would you either buy or avoid a product based on what you know about the LGBT attitude of the company that produces it?
If so, you might want to contrast and compare the following.
First up is this lovely story in the Dallas Voice about a lesbian who was the "face of Avon" in a Super Bowl ad.
The best part of the story is Daryn DeZengotita's description of the interview/photo session. Hats off to Avon!
Then, there is the winner of the "Art of Manliness" contest sponsored by the makers of Old Spice. Seems the winner and his wife are more than mildly wingnutty. This article explains their connection to an entity called The Vision Forum where, according to the article, one may read that "the absence of biblical patriarchy leads to male effeminacy which leads to homosexuality. The money they won in the contest will inevitably be comingled with this couple's misogynist and homophobic pursuits. Old Spice certainly vetted their candidates in determining the finalists. They cannot reasonably claim ignorance, but even if they did, we can make our position clear by boycotting Old Spice.
Wait a minute. I forgot. Gay men don't use Old Spice. And I doubt many women use it.
(Regarding vintage male fragrance, I still love and occasionally purchase Aqua Velva, the scent of which gets me hard, evoking the men on whom I crushed as a child. I sure hope it's not owned by the Old Spice people. Awkward moral dilemma, if it is.)
Anyone out there use Old Spice? Willing to make a video of you pouring it down the drain? And remember, next time the Avon lady rings your doorbell, show some love.
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12 Comments
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Well, I guess I won't be buying any more of that Old Spice body wash. I don't have enough left in the bottle to make a point by pouring it down the drain, but I'm sure I can find a way to adequately show my distaste. Hmm, I wonder if my brother has any of those mighty mites left, and how many of them it would take to blow up the bottle...
Aqua Velva is currently marketed by Combe Incorporated, who just bought it from GlaxoSmithKline. I don't know much about Combe, other than the fact that they were targeted by the AFA for sponsoring "The Book of Daniel" on NBC.
DysPerDis | February 3, 2009 3:03 PM
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Father Anthony;
You will be pleased to know that this daughter of Sappho, who, like the BVM "knows not man" already uses Haiku, an Avon perfume that I unfailingly get compliments on.
MauraHennessey | February 3, 2009 3:57 PM
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Growing up in the 50's and 60's was an aftershave was required time. Old Spice, Aqua Velva, then the new wave with Old Leather, Hai Karate and a half dozen other scents for men.
Pam Bennett | February 3, 2009 5:22 PM
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At the risk of giving TMI, Old Spice Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant is the only thing that works for me. Sometimes you don't have much choice. What's a guy to do?
dturk | February 3, 2009 7:37 PM
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That would turn into a big boycott, since Old Spice is made by Proctor and Gamble. To be honest, since the prize was only a couple thousand, and the "magazine" published a strong disclaimer saying the winner would not be a spokesperson for Old Spice, I doubt they were involved in vetting the finalists.
Jeffrey Smith | February 3, 2009 7:45 PM
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Oh,my, I use it sometimes (I cycle through brands) =X.
How do Nivea, Adidas, Axe, and other candidates rate?
Lucrece | February 3, 2009 7:58 PM
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I just deleted Art of Manliness website from my favorites and won't be reading it in the future. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. As for Old Spice you are correct.
D Herzer | February 3, 2009 11:14 PM
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One interesting thing about Old Spice--they sponsor Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 NASCAR Sprint Cup car. (I am bi and love me some Tony Stewart!) Lots of women and some gay/bi men have crushes on Tony. Old Spice picked him for a reason. I have already sent Stewart-Haas Racing, his new company, an e-mail about this. But I believe it could be blown up, at least enough to finally get an apology out of them. Also, please remember that straight and bi women have a large amount of purchasing power. We buy our men scent, and we have veto power over a man's choice. Maybe someone who is savvier than I am can help to make the point that we do not want to turn our money into weapons against ourselves effectively.
As for the Avon story, I am so tickled! I used to sell Avon, and had absolutely no problems with them. I had people in the local LGBT community scratch their heads over it, though. I'm glad Avon honored Daryn DeZengotita. I love that lesbian and bi women are being considered beauty role models for mainstream America. Ellen DeGeneres is part of a campaign for Cover Girl, too (and that's Proctor and Gamble).
Thanks for sharing these!
Jayelle Wiggins-Lunacharsky | February 4, 2009 9:08 AM
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Tony is a friend of Jerame's parents. He's definitely not anti-gay. (Note: I'm not saying he's gay. I don't want to start that rumor!) He's always just been a cool guy to be around and throws a great party.
Bil Browning | February 4, 2009 11:38 AM
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I agree with your concern about the guy who won, but where is the outrage about the contest itself?? It was set up to honor men who "epitomize the manliness that used to exist before the arrival of metrosexual pretty boys." That's plenty fucked up enough for me, nevermind the creep who actually won.
The daddies prefer their boy not use any scented products anyway...
Nick | February 4, 2009 11:40 AM
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If I were single, I'd be cozying up to you and Jerame right now. ;-)
Jayelle Wiggins-Lunacharsky | February 4, 2009 1:27 PM
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Just a comment about Avon... last year i signed up as an Avon distributor. When I talked with the sponsor over the phone she had no idea I was transgender but when we met in person to do the paperwork she had no problem what so ever with me representing avon. I sold it for about a year, then due to other reasons I had to stop. But my experience with Avon as a transgender woman was excellent!
rikki lynn mordhorst | February 4, 2009 9:00 PM
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