Apple is gay-friendly, survey shows

Macworld UK ^ | 05/14/2008 | Jonny Evans

[Swordmaker]

Apple is one of the top US gay-friendly brands, community research shows

Apple is among the top six gay-friendly brands in the US, recent research reveals.

The company shares the status with Bravo, Showtime, HBO, Absolut and Levi’s. Apple is seen as gay-friendly by 39 per cent of the gay and lesbian population in the US, just behind Bravo’s 52 per cent share.

But WalMart, Dunkin Donuts, Cracker Barrel, Exxon Mobil and Samsung score the lowest marks in survey results taken among gay and lesbian consumers, claims the 2008 Prime Access/PlanetOut Gay and Lesbian Consumer Study released.

The survey is one of the largest and most comprehensive surveys of gay and lesbian consumer habits and brand perceptions. A total of 2,259 adults aged 18-64 took part.

According to the study, more than two-thirds (68 per cent) of gay and lesbian consumers said they are more likely to buy from a company they considered to be gay-friendly, a perception they base largely on a company's advertising, followed by input from friends and the media.

The study also reveals that 71 per cent of gay and lesbian consumers said they have a more favourable impression of companies or products that feature gay imagery in their advertising.

[SlowBoat407]

I refuse to let any more of my preferences be co-opted by the homosexual community. They've already ruined the words "gay", "poof", "whoopsie", "fabulous", "fierce", and "oooh!" I will continue to use my Apple computers to Google and FReep, to write Conservative essays, and to stare at hot women study photographic techniques. I will wear Levi's because they fit and they withstand a lot of punishment, especially in the rear. But I still won't watch Showtime.

[SunkenCiv]

As a subset of the overall population, sure. ;’)

[Republican Party Reptile]

point that sword somewhere else ... :o

[jacquej]

I kinda feel like this fuzzie li’l cutie at the moment.

Been using Macs for longer than I care to remember, never had a problem.

Not gay/lesbian/unborn babykiller/lieberal either. Just another fly-over conservative “white-neck” here.

Macs rule, liberals drool. But sure wish Steve Jobs didn’t have his head up AlGore’s backside. (Am I allowed to say that on FR?)

[50mm]

I've been using Macs since the first 9" monochrome original. Using a 17" Macbook Pro to post this. I'm forced to use Windows XP at work.

Lots of flyover country conservatives use Macs.

[papertyger]

I will wear Levi's because they fit and they withstand a lot of punishment, especially in the rear.

That would explain a lot.

[BunnySlippers]

I live in Hollywood ... the Swish Alps!

[jacquej]

Any sentient thinking person would choose a Mac.

Why the Mac “disrespectin’ going on, I ask? Are the crowd-bots so insecure that they have to trash the most reliable op-sys out there? And, why are they are they so unnerved by good product design?

This puzzles me.

[BunnySlippers]

[Ticonderoga34]

Lots of flyover country conservatives use Macs.

Rush and Karl Rove use Macs.

[weegee]

The Lavender Mafia wants advertising dollars and corporate kickbacks.

[jacquej]

So?

All that proves is that they are a just a tad brighter than the rest of the “Microsuck” lemmings. (Please know I am related to some of this endangered species!)

Some of us know good design, and some just want to follow the crowd. No big deal, really.

I do wish we could put a firecracker in a dark place, so Steve might get a clue.

[weegee]

[weegee]

Where’s that poor thing been? < /S >

[50mm]

Where’s that poor thing been?

Ask Richard Gere.

[paudio]

I think part of it is Halo effect. Mac is the choice of people who work in all areas of art design, where many gays work (I'm not claiming most art designers are gay!)

I think in itself, Walmart is neither anti nor pro gays. Their close association with Republican conservatives (where they sell guns, not allowing unions, and so on) spillovers to being anti gay as well.

[Mr. Blonde]

Certainly no benefit in alienating any audience no matter how small that audience is. I haven’t noticed anything particularly “gay” about the advertisements or anything like that. The high rating probably has as much to do with being considered a “cool” brand as anything else.

[Thrownatbirth]

Where’s that poor thing been?

He was returned to the WalMart in Rehoboth Beach DE.

[50mm]

He was returned to the WalMart in Rehoboth Beach DE.

Washed?

[weegee]

I suspect it is based on major advertisers in specifically gay audience publications, tv shows, and corporate sponsorship of gay pride festivals and the like.

“Over 2500 LGBT-themed ads worldwide, going back to 1917, can be found on Commercial Closet Association's Web site at www.commercialcloset.org”

http://www.commercialcloset.org/