For decades, the ad and marketing industry has infused sex into every product, from condoms (obvious) to hamburgers (not obvious, but OK). And for years — in June — we’ve added a rainbow to everything from search engines (obviously) to mouthwash (sure?). Yet there’s so little authentic LGBTQIA+ sex in advertising. If “sex sells”... why not to us? From a place of strategy and inclusive representation, we call to brands: if you continue to sell sex, you better get informed by the community reinventing sex for the world. Ultimately, you believe in innovation, culture, and progress, or you don’t. So unless your brand becomes celibate, reconsider how you respectfully experiment as a marketer.
Culture started this. Brands followed suit. Sex sold. Now we discuss what’s next.