ANZ unveils 2015 GayTMs as branch attacked by gay activists accusing bank of ‘pinkwashing’
ANZ Bank’s launch of its 2015 GayTMs today has been overshadowed by a second attack on a New Zealand branch which appears to have been done by a gay rights group accusing the bank of “pinkwashing”.
The Ponsonby branch of ANZ, in inner city Auckland, was last night attacked with pink paint and with posters put up on its front window which criticised the bank for commercialising gay rights.
Hand and Anzabella
Do these vandals have a point? Are ANZ trying to be seen as model citizens, when many of their investments could certainly be regarded as not for the greater good of our society?
Some would say that supporting a coal terminal at Abbot Point is vandalising the great barrier reef, no?
When the boffins at ANZ came up with this concept, was it because the really wanted to celebrate diversity in our society or because it is widely believed that there are lots of ‘pink dollars’ out there and they want them in their bank?
The GayTM campaign is a marketing initiative, not a humanitarian gesture. Nuff said.
ANZ launches the GayTMs at a time of celebration of our differences. The LGBTI campaign for equality gains awareness. ANZ might gain a few from the LGBTI community, and lose a few who are less accepting.
Vandalising in the name of LGBTI equality seems counter-intuitive, rather the pragmatic approach would be to encourage it. Simple… Or have I missed the point?
Saw a similar thing at the ana museum
There are so many people more greatly deserving of such ire than a corporate bank who is at least prepared to to make a public statement in support of the cause. And don’t forget, even if you are of the opinion it’s only for commercial gain, such open support of the LGBTI community could also encourage just as many homophobic people to choose not to do business with you. It’s a nonsense argument. This really does nothing to further the interests of LGBTI people at a community level, quite the opposite. And it may also discourage other corporates from following the ANZ’s example.
In short, fucking dumb.
Do something about equal marriage rights and maybe people will see the marketing stunt as something more.
Banks are one of the feew groups with the power and access to politicians, youll get a million more customers if you stand up and fight for marriage equality
Hear hear @circlingsharks
No gripes about Whybins winning a truck full of metal or ANZ’s motives – don’t doubt either’s motivation; however, Im not a fan simply because it deals in the very stereotypes all my gay and lesbian friends find offensive.
I don’t agree with ANZ exploiting the gay community but public acts of vandalism do the community no favours at all. It only confirms in the minds of most straight people that gays are nothing more than criminals. If you want things to change, join a political party, run for political office, support candidates that support gay marriage. Simply smashing ATMs are not going to change marriage laws.
Are gay people naturally drawn to gaudy and tacky advertising?
Talk about stereotyping!
This is really unbelievable. The LGBTI community are looking for wider community acceptance and instead of congratulating a major bank for its inclusiveness it punishes it. Narrow minded and completely naive. You’ll find that most corporates get behind things because of the money so complaining that they a “pink washing” is missing the point entirely. Get over it.
Offal – while it is a worthy cause, there is no chance in hell a bank will lobby for equal marriage rights.
To attack a corporate for showing support for LGBTI people in the community in a way that is great for raising awareness and acceptance of LGBTI rights, while having an obvious commercial benefit, is ridiculous.
The same way that, I don’t know, THE MARDI GRAS is a great way to show support and acceptance for the LGBTI community, with a serious commercial upside as well. Everyone is in it for the money, in some respect.
And talk about stereotypes, some of the behaviour that occurs during the Mardi Gras period is fairly deplorable and only serves to solidify negative stereotypes amongst the wider community anyway.
I’m a supporter of equal rights for everyone, regardless of any perceived differences, but for crying out loud try to find the benefit in what is happening for once.
Human beings love to find excuses to be negative, don’t we.
I think it’s also worth mentioning that ANZ is donating the transaction fees charged for non-ANZ cards used at GAYTMs to Twenty10, a very worthy LGBTI community counselling organisation.
still waiting for a comment submitted on wednesday to be moderated about: “It only confirms in the minds of most straight people that gays are nothing more than criminals”
By Concerned on 24 Feb 15 at 6:06 pm
Why do marketers insist on forcing the gay community to accept loud, gaudy colours? They simply do not go with my dress for Mardi Gras.
#16, the ‘crime’ is all yours, and it’s a crime against logic…
The ANZ’s Craig Bonnington, chair of the ANZ Pride Network in New Zealand said: “It’s also a way we can demonstrate to our staff and customers the importance we place on workplace diversity and an acknowledgment of the tremendous contribution our LGBTI staff bring to community and to ANZ.”
So I want to know what other cultural community events ANZ are supporting with such pride and glamor, LGBTI is only a very small part of their workforce. What are they going to do for all the Christians, Muslims, Hindus, atheists, heterosexual families, disabled, single or married employees in acknowledgment of the tremendous contribution they make to ANZ, are we going to get ATM’s decked out for Hanukkah, Easter, Christmas, Ramadan or Deepawali?
I’m not interested in banking with ANZ anymore, these new GayTM disgust me.