Two Day Magazine

In France, Of Course!

Bonjour! I have a confession to make. I haven’t eaten in a McDonald’s since I read this amazing and eye-opening book, Fast Food Nation, when I was in college about 4 or 5 years ago. So, I had no idea that McDonald’s had become so progressive and gay-friendly! They need to bring some of that attitude over to the States, however!

This French commercial of a father/son moment in a McDonald’s was oddly refreshing. Here he is, bonding with his dad in the restaurant, while talking secretly to his boyfriend on the phone. The exchange over the phone was sweet, understated and genuine. Then, as the father sits down, oblivious to the son’s romantic situation, you get this feeling that maybe the son is going to come out to his dad, in the McDonald’s, over some fries and ketchup. What an interesting premise for a commercial!

So, my question for McDonald’s is, now that I know that they don’t care about sexual orientation and will use any tactic to sell their burgers, why is it they are so afraid to put that kind of ad here in the States? We have this false idea that we always control what the media puts out there, but in actuality, (for better or worse) they lead the way on many of our collective values and beliefs in society.

If McDonald’s, one of the biggest and most successful corporations in the world, makes it okay for someone to “come as you are” to their place of business, it creates an underlying wave of unification and acceptance about one another’s differences. If those kinds of ads play on television, children and people of all ages see them. These positive images begin to subconsciously shape the minds and hearts of the youth, and if they see images of love and acceptance (even from a fast food commercial), I wouldn’t be surprised if the culture relaxed more as a whole about the idea of marriage equality and respecting one another’s personal lives and choices.

I’m not saying that I am eating at a McDonald’s anytime soon, unless they become a vegan establishment overnight, but I will say that my opinion of McDonald’s has improved after watching this clip. Who knows? Maybe this kind of inclusive advertising will actually catch on in what used to be the most forward thinking country in the world. We still have it inside of us. The ability to look beyond race, gender, sexual orientation and religion to see to the heart of people. Hey, if McDonald’s can do it, why can’t we?

Venez comme vous êtes!