"Home for New Year"
The screenshot above is from an ad by e-commerce and tech multinational conglomerate Alibaba which has been praised by gay communities in China for depicting, and supporting, same-sex couples.
The Chinese company’s ad was circulated on Chinese social media and showed two men returning to one of their homes for Chinese New Year.
The ad is 20-seconds long, starting with one man introducing his male friend Kelvin to his mum. The camera then cuts to the dad looking at them suspiciously while two girls are laughing at the table. It is presumed they know the two men are a couple.
Kelvin then addresses his partner’s father as “Dad” and the ad ends with the narrator promoting a site-wide discount.
It is a very subtle way of giving China queer representation, but the implication of their relationship was received well by their audiences. Many gay people said the ad was good-natured and humorous but appropriately subtle.
Alibaba released a statement saying: “Chinese New Year is a time for family reunion and inclusion, and the ad is a creative expression to celebrate such an occasion.”
Reporting from Pinknews.co.uk
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Sadly, this scene will likely not play out today in many parts of China as the country deals with the deadly coronavirus outbreak and traditional travel and gatherings for celebrations have been forbidden. I hope and pray that the situation will improve, but worry that this may be the begining of the long-predicted next global pandemic.
Nevertheless, Happy Lunar New Year to one and all!
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