Readers squee'd and smiled when The Advocate's sibling publication Out showcased the new commercial from Campbell's soup featuring "the galaxy's best dads." But just like in the Star Wars saga, there is a dark side to this tale: the wholesome, heartwarming ad is being spurned by antigay forces known by the misleading name One Million Moms.
Campbell's ad, focusing on real-world situations, features an "adorable real-life family of two dads and their son," as The New Civil Rights Movement reported. One Million Moms, which is actually closer to 80,000 people, didn't see the ad quite the same way:
"A homosexual 'married' couple is featured prominently with a young boy (their son) in the new Campbell's Soup advertisement.
"How confusing for this little boy and for all children viewing this commercial. Obviously, Campbell's is sending the message that homosexual men are raising children, whom they wouldn't have if a woman wasn't involved, and they are ok with it.
"Campbell's Soup is glorifying this unnatural marriage. One Million Moms believes family is based on love, but this does not justify normalizing sin."
The Million Moms rant about the "gay-inclusive" commercial goes on to criticize Campbell's for "pushing the LGBT agenda" and expresses outrage that the company is "attempting to redefine 'family' and 'real marriage'" and to "desensitize viewers."
Quite the contrary, Ellen Kahn, head of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Children, Youth and Families Program, tells The Advocate:
"Campbell's is modeling what it means to recognize and include all kinds of families; not only is that important for same-sex parents and their children, but it conveys a powerful message to classmates and teachers, friends and neighbors that our families are part of all communities. I would say this is very socially responsible advertising and I applaud Campbell's for embracing our families."
One Million Moms isn't satisfied, of course, merely complaining and shaking fingers at the soupmaker:
"Companies should advertise the quality of their products. It is no longer about the product but about their cause. They should not be highlighting who is attracted to whom or who sleeps with whom. This is a marketing decision Campbell's will regret."
The group is calling on its followers to urge Campbell's "to pull this inappropriate commercial immediately and remain neutral in the culture war." And then the group suggests a boycott is imminent:
"Let Campbell's Soup know that continuing to air this ad and other offensive advertisements in the future will force your family to make the decision to no longer purchase any of Campbell's Soup Company brands such as Pepperidge Farm, Pace, Spaghetti O's, V8, Swanson, and Prego."
The Advocate includes those brand names here so our readers will know which ones far-right groups like One Million Moms will be targeting in their antigay campaigns.
Watch the ad from Campbell's, featuring real-life gay couple David Monahan and Larry Sullivan and their son, below: