'Angela Merkel' stars in lesbian magazine ad
Wednesday sees the launch of new magazine "Straight," aimed at gay women across Germany – but the magazine's advert is already causing something of a stir, reports Der Tagesspiegel.
In the ad, originally released over Twitter, viewers see a figure remarkably like Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"Merkel" is gazing out of her office window - while a radio in the background reports that 62 per cent of Germans are in favour of same-sex marriage. She simply shakes her head.
But then, a woman in a white dress approaches the Chancellor from behind and puts her arms around her waist – and Merkel leans back to receive a kiss.
The message the ad wants to get across?
Equality laws for homosexuals are outdated: even Angela Merkel herself knows that.
While the magazine's name may sound somewhat confrontational, "Straight" isn't overly political - with sections on fashion and beauty tips alongside more serious topics such as same-sex marriage and stigmatisation in the workplace.
Ganz Europa hasst Merkel? Ja, bis auf diese Frau... http://t.co/kWwwe0h6SU #JippieJayGay #LoveWins #Homoehe https://t.co/MXeKh27ZZT
— STRAIGHT magazine (@STRAIGHT) July 16, 2015
Good timing for Merkel's critics
The ad comes in the wake of repeated criticism of the Chancellor, who continues to position herself emphatically against gay marriage in Germany.
After a recent interview with YouTube star Lefloid, Merkel came under fire for reiterating these views.
"For me, marriage is between a man and a woman," she told Lefloid.
And in last week's now famous Q&A session with Rostock schoolchildren, in which Merkel made a 14-year-old refugee cry after telling her she may not be allowed to stay in Germany, the Chancellor also faced questions from a homosexual teen.
The boy asked Merkel why the German government has not campaigned more strongly for LGBT rights.
The Chancellor replied that while she could see the problem, she sees same-sex marriage as a matter of conviction.
Merkel's take on same-sex marriage has been ruthlessly mocked on social media recently –and the advert for "Straight" is likely to give opponents even more fuel for scorn.
Written by Hannah Butler
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In the ad, originally released over Twitter, viewers see a figure remarkably like Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"Merkel" is gazing out of her office window - while a radio in the background reports that 62 per cent of Germans are in favour of same-sex marriage. She simply shakes her head.
But then, a woman in a white dress approaches the Chancellor from behind and puts her arms around her waist – and Merkel leans back to receive a kiss.
The message the ad wants to get across?
Equality laws for homosexuals are outdated: even Angela Merkel herself knows that.
While the magazine's name may sound somewhat confrontational, "Straight" isn't overly political - with sections on fashion and beauty tips alongside more serious topics such as same-sex marriage and stigmatisation in the workplace.
Ganz Europa hasst Merkel? Ja, bis auf diese Frau... http://t.co/kWwwe0h6SU #JippieJayGay #LoveWins #Homoehe https://t.co/MXeKh27ZZT
— STRAIGHT magazine (@STRAIGHT) July 16, 2015
Good timing for Merkel's critics
The ad comes in the wake of repeated criticism of the Chancellor, who continues to position herself emphatically against gay marriage in Germany.
After a recent interview with YouTube star Lefloid, Merkel came under fire for reiterating these views.
"For me, marriage is between a man and a woman," she told Lefloid.
And in last week's now famous Q&A session with Rostock schoolchildren, in which Merkel made a 14-year-old refugee cry after telling her she may not be allowed to stay in Germany, the Chancellor also faced questions from a homosexual teen.
The boy asked Merkel why the German government has not campaigned more strongly for LGBT rights.
The Chancellor replied that while she could see the problem, she sees same-sex marriage as a matter of conviction.
Merkel's take on same-sex marriage has been ruthlessly mocked on social media recently –and the advert for "Straight" is likely to give opponents even more fuel for scorn.
Written by Hannah Butler
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