With this season’s Winter Olympics being held in Sochi, Russia, issues of have bias have sparked controversy regarding discrimination against homosexual individuals. The popular Coca-Cola brand is now creating a controversy of its own.
According to Hindustantimes.com a new Coca-Cola ad campaign allows users to type a name or message which will then appear on a virtual Coke can intended to be shared among the myriad of social media websites. However, when the word “gay” is entered into the system, the following message appears, “Oops. Let's pretend you didn't just type that”.
The system does not allow for the word “gay” to be used in their campaign, however, when the word “straight” is entered, the system still works perfectly. Buzzfeed reported that Olympic security, with the Coca-Cola label stitched onto the jackets, had even arrested a gay rights activist who was in the crowd simply for waving a rainbow colored flag.
All of the controversy surrounding Russia and their prejudice against homosexuals comes quite recently after former N’SYNC member, Lance Bass opened up about his time in Russia and the fear that he endured while training there. However, the mayor of Sochi reportedly welcomed “gays” as stated in the Hindustantimes.com, into his city for the viewing of the Winter Olympics. Coca-Cola has yet to respond to any inquiries.
Image:Wikimedia Commons
