GaydarRadio joins calls to boycott Heinz

GaydarRadio, the digital-only station, has joined the calls to boycott Heinz in protest against the withdrawal of an ad for its Deli Mayo that shows two men kissing. The food company withdrew the ad after less than a week following 179 complaints that it is “inappropriate” and “offensive”.

The station’s call comes after gay rights group Stonewall urged Britain’s 3.6 million gay consumers and their friends to stop buying Heinz products. Heinz has apologised for any offence caused by the ad, which was created by Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO.

The decision has “caused uproar” at the station, which has reacted by posting the advert on its website, GaydarNation.com. Gaydar presenter Simon Le Vans is leading the station’s campaign. He says: “This is gutless to say the least and extremely homophobic. Some viewers who complained said that they didn’t want to have to explain to their children why two men were kissing.

Aside from the fact that they could have explained the “joke” within the premise of the commercial to their children they plainly felt it inappropriate that their children might ask about homosexuality in general.”