Target stands firm against homophobic Gok Wan complaints

Bang on.

I’m ashamed to be from a country that also spawned those views. Gok has done more for women’s self-esteem than anyone I know. His whole career has been devoted to helping women get comfortable in their own skin. And with no vested interest because he’s not trying to get into their pants! I’ve worked with Gok several times and the last thing anyone can say about him is he’s disrespectful to women. Who gives a toss what his sexuality is!

I can’t stand these Target ads (then again I’m not exactly in these ads’ target market) but seriously people need to get a life if they feel so compelled to put in a formal complaint to see a gay man on TV… Are we back in the 1950s now?

And funny how ‘bangers’ is unacceptable but ‘p******’ is ok?

How sad that there are still people out there who will take the time and effort to complain about an advertisement being fronted by a man who has done nothing but promote good body image amongst women (and men). All they can see is his sexuality. It takes narrow-mindedness to a new level.

I’m not bothered by Mr Gok’s camp antics nor do I shop at target but I’m guessing a lot of people who do are of a lower-middle class income bracket etc and thus perhaps a little less accepting of a flamboyant gay man. I always thought he was a bit of a strange choice as ambassador anyway. As my wife says “isn’t he the British guy with the cooking show on Foxtel?”

Calling a woman’s breast “bangers” is offensive, but they have no issue with calling someone a “p******.”
I agree with ASB, the ad was being playful with the word, rather than using it offensively. You have to wonder who these people are that complain…

I’m not fan of the Target ads but if this guy it genuinely trying to help women feel more confident and comfortable in their clothes then who the hell cares who he is and what is sexuality is? Some people are just too politically correct and should go bury themselves in a hole if they don’t want to hear any supposedly offensive language… because sorry honey, but you can get offended by anything! It’s lighthearted and he has a sense of humor, get over it. Good on you Target and Gok!

Good on Target … there are lot worse things happening in life to complain about … seriously people need to live thier own lives instead of complaining and whinging over this …

I dont have a problem with Gok’s sexuality or the word “bangers”…..
I do have a problem with Gok’s highly plucked eyebrows though!

I’m a woman and I do not feel degraded by Gok calling my breasts ‘Bangers’. He is a breath of fresh air. Well done Target for standing up to these narrow-minded bigots. I shop with you and am proud to.

I’ve watched Gok since I was a 19. He made me realise that every body is unique in it’s own way. I felt confident in choosing my own style, that also suited my body type thanks to watching Gok’s series on BBC or whatever it was. I was happy to see that Target chose Gok as their spokesperson.
Good on the team at Target for standing up for their decision. Show’s strength of character and belief in their campaign.
Side note- Gok freaking rocks 🙂 He makes you feel like you’re just as beautiful as the Victoria’s Secret models 🙂 Gok is a champion 🙂 xx

Frivolous complaints from a bunch of insecure phobes. Glad the ASB did the right thing for once and dismiss it.

Oh leave the man alone, he’s a fantastic person & does a lot for fashion. He helps people of all ages,shapes & sizes to find out what sort of clothes to wear to suit our body type. Good on you Target…no …Tarjet for standing by your man. I wouldn’t expect anything less

Fairfax picking up on this 1 hr after Mumbrella. Independent borrowing? Always.

http://www.theage.com.au/lifes.....2slb6.html

so bloody what if Gok is gay, I am disabled (quad) next they will be saying I can’t ride to Canberra!!!
people get me so mad!!!!!!!

I bet there would be an absolute uproar if it was Tony Abbott making the “bangers” comment and you’d be calling him a misogynist.

Target has gone up in a lot people’s estimations today.

you go get em girl……:)

He’s the best thing to happen to fashion in a long time. Get over it and get on with it. Target has got my support 100%

Met Gok Wan once whilst working in London. Very down to earth and super easy to work with… a rare ‘good guy’ in the fashion world.

Good on ya Target.

Honestly, the complainer is just another little silly person hiding behind an email.

Better than last week when they just re-published someone’s Tumblr:

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyl.....2s8ey.html

I make no apology for shopping elsewhere.

No one cares what a bunch of ignorant homophobes think. Its great to see Target really supporting Gok and their campaign.

People are missing the point.It’s not about whether you’re male or female, straight or gay,the fact is that the campaign is meant to move units. However, any TVC or campaign that makes a lot of people cringe (as this one clearly does) is questionable strategy irrespective of the target spin. Or is Target segmenting itself so it no longer has to stock certain lines, by alienating some of its existing market? That would be brave. It reeks of inexperience and not understanding consumers really.

I don’t care about Gok’s sexuality. I do have concern, however, for the credibility of someone who is trying to present Target’s shoddy merchandise as something more up-market. I hope he’s being well-compensated. File under Curtis Stone and Status Quo.

I personally love the Target ads and also follow Gok on Foxtel. I’ve recently browsed their stores and added some of Goks recommendations to my work wardrobe. As an AB demo, I’m sure this is exactly what Target hoped would happen. I for one, would love a follow up story on how successful Target has been with the Gok campaign. No doubt the sales are very telling as to why Target stand behind him.

I think you mean ‘asterisked by Mumbrella’, instead of ‘asterixed’. For future reference: http://pottingshed.files.wordp.....terisk.gif

Hey Joe you are absolutely right! The thing you’re failing to understand though is that Gok empowers women and wants to celebrate females… He can get away with calling breasts ‘bangers’ because we know it’s lighthearted and cheeky fun!.. Abbott is a gross person with outdated and troubling views…

I’m very much of two minds about Gok Wan. On the one hand, there’s something deeply irritating about his on-screen personality. On the other hand, he provides a valuable public service by trolling the shit out of homophobes.

I am really pleased that target responded so positively. Being from the UK, Gok has had a huge amount of coverage and his programmes have showcased his skills for making other people confident with their bodies no matter what they look like! Go target!

They’re obviously trying to target (excuse the pun) the younger, Lifestyle channel watching market as they’re most likely the ones with the $$ and larger basket size than other demographics (ie; the people writing the complaints)

I say well done to them, he’s a brilliant ambassador, people love to watch him whether in a program or a TVC or real life meet and greets, since they’re trying the fashion-forward angle, it’s ‘bang’ on for their target audience!

to all those people out there who have a problem with gays for god sake get over it ah ther here so get a life my son is gay and i love him so much i look at gays aas the black people in america no rights whats so every now and before if i had to choose to go out with a straight group or a gay group well i wouldnt pick the straight ones so wake up world and leave them alone go back in your caves well done gok they are just jealous because you know how to have fun in your life your a beautifull person take care .

I have watched Gok for years and look forward to all his work. In the world of so called beauty Gok has made the normal woman feel as they should, beautiful. We can now accept that we are all different and don’t have to be a pencil thin female to be classed as perfect. As for the Target ads, Gok keep on doing what you are doing. You do it so well..

I agree with gay people being able to be equal to any other. They are beautiful gentle souls. We sould be pleased that they walk here beside us all. If you really knew them as I do you would certainly have a big change of mind. They would change your world of thinking and open your heart to really be able to love.

tjwilson, full marks for an open mind.

Also, you used one punctuation mark in your entire post. Incorrectly.

What the hell! we are in the 21st centuary people, get over it. I was not offended by the ad. I loved it. As my 11yr old niece “So wht if he is gay – build a bridge and get over it” N I totally agree with her.

bloody hell people, women children, babies and men have been massacred in Syria and a minority ignorant group of Australians are complaining about a commercial that is light hearted and non offensive to so many others…some people have very small worlds.

Maybe those complaints were too blatantly offensive to investigate let alone publish.

I just Love Gok, I Adore my Gay son, and now i i am an Admirer of the Target group.
Well Done.

I am shocked to see so many narrow minded people wake up grow up and live for today 2013 the Gok is inspirational and uplifting he is fabulous love him. I have adopted gay kids and love them more than life, Keep Up The Great Work GoK and Target x x x x small closed minded people, let our kids be the kids /adults they want to be. Love the GoK

What’s the problem I’ve called them worse, and mine are huuuuge, and he’s a pom isn’t that what they call them over there? I love Gok, I think he’s fun, sensitive, understanding, and full of life, and who cares which way he bats. Get over it.

I am ashamed of the ignorance and small mindedness of some Australians. I have watched Gok for years & applaud the work he does with women! Luckily for Australia Gok knows we are not all a bunch of small minded rednecks. Gok you rock…keep up the fabulous uplifting positive work you do 🙂

Dear Mr Gok,
Honey you can have a frappe, latte, or machiato with me any time.

Dear Target,
Thank for supporting creative people who don’t fit inside the square, if they did they wpuld be designers baby!

Dear right wing exteme Australia,
Where did our tolerance of people’s different view points go? Our decency, our fair go, our ability to show compassion and may be a sense of humor? Orbare we only nice while our lawns are green, our wallets are full and the church and murdocracy feels secure?

Dear the rest of Australia,
Thank you for remaining sane and supporting people of all kinds. Let’s keep Australia logical.

…

i love aunty gok

Good; can’t wait until they apply the “sexuality is irrelevant [to a person’s] worth” to their line of clothing for little girls, which for some time now has looked styled to fit 8-year-old street walkers.

I love the ad and he is just fabulous. He is a positive role model for all men…his sexuality is irrelevant.

I am waiting for the homophobes to start on Eric Stonestreet who does the Big W ad’s. Maybe that’s their focus next week.

I think Target have done a wonderful job with Gok as their ambassador. He’s showing how a woman doesn’t have to spend a fortune, or be a certain size to look beautiful and I think that is a wonderful message no matter who it’s coming from!

I was also pleasantly surprised with the ads featuring Gok and the children’s range. He dressed them all to look like kids rather than mini-adults (something I think ‘stylists’ often fail to do). The ads have been fun, refreshing and honestly made me want to shop their more. Target has done well to stand by their choice. No matter his sexuality, or what you think of his show Gok is doing a wonderful job showcasing what Target has on offer!

Seriously there is thousands of children dying in syria and all these people can
worry about is a gay man advertising for Target! People need to wake up to themselves and rather donate the 25cent phone call they made to complaint and give it to world vision!

What would a straight man know about BRAs in the first place?

Narrow minded people still exist unfortunately. narrow minded people are only hurting themselves and showing how ignorant they are.

Good decision. Excellent choice Target. I’m appalled that there are still people who are so ignorant that they feel no shame in flaunting their bigotry in public.

How disgraceful. Every woman knows that a gay man is the best person to take shopping. And Gok is such fun.

Nothing wrong with Gok or the Target ads – as a woman I find nothing insulting about anything on those ads – I do find some of those complaints very homophobic and pathetic though – idiots. Go Gok!!!!!

All you folk who want to find fault with Gok and destroy him, you cannot take away his talent. He can transform a very plain person into a stylish beauty like no one else can and to quote Sir Les Patterson…he is not ” a frog couturier” ( whom one would expect this magic from) and… doesn’t use haute couture either, but budget fashion houses such as Target. Target know when they are onto a good thing…he will make millions for Target because everyone wants style. It wasn’t so long ago that a fashion designer/personal dresser, was only for the rich and famous…I personally love him! He’s fun, happy and energetic. I bet there’s not a dull moment being around him.

Have you seen the kids range? Boring as hell.

Congrats Target for soldiering with a campaign that has great “cut through” and differentiates Target well from competitors. Homophobes… go shop somewhere and shut up!

I’m not offended at all! People that put effort into posting comments or take offence, are obviously undecided about their sexuality. Power on!

I find it astounding that ‘people’ find this ad offensive. And they worry about the use of the ‘bangers’ – Target have retained the language that Gok uses in his highly successful UK show – which is all tongue in cheek – which is on STV channels. The driver of the show is giving women confidence to believe in who they including how to dress.
We have done a huge amount of research with women and fashion & interestingly enough Target nailed a recurring issue – that women don’t wear the right size bra, and a greater percentage have never been fitted for a bra… so spot on for that insight Target. So girls get your ‘bangers’ fitted properly.
Gok himself is an interesting man – I saw a program where he battled obesity and learned to deal with the taunting of cruel humans. So I’m guessing he isn’t going to be too concerned over the Pauline Hanson-esque approach that’s being cast his way. Thumbs up to Target.
Whether the presenter is black, white, green or gay is totally irrelevant. If you don’t like the ad – that’s your choice. If you don’t want to shop at Target – then don’t. If you don’t want to get the right size bra for your Bangers then don’t.
I could name 100 ads that are far more offensive than this.
Gotta go and get my ‘bangers’ sorted now.

Target and Big W, let’s have a Rhonda/Ketut style ad where Gok and Eric Stonestreet get together. Get onto it!

People just like to whinge about anything and everything, that is just human nature. But honestly, who really cares. Just mute the damn ad, or change the chanel

You do know Eric Stonestreet is straight, right?

Good on you Target. We love Gok in our home and I’ve started shopping at Target again because of his ads!

@Tony Bee…. who cares – lets see Gok & Eric Stonestreet go at it!

@Tony Bee, I reckon Eric would take one for the team/paycheque. I know I would 🙂

Can we hear from some gay people (who must be impartial re: Gok’s being gay) who might speak up and differentiate Gok from “all gay people.”

Perhaps people just find Gok bloody annoying, too “over the top”, and trashy; hawking ugly cheap clothes … and mistakenly attribute their unease to his gayness.
All gay people are NOT like Gok.

I personally can’t stand him !!!
I run away from the life-size cut-outs near Target
They make me CRINGE!!

It’s not him I find offensive, it’s the fact that in the ad for shirts, the men’s are buttoned up and the women’s are wide open showing their underwear. That’s completely sexist.

O.K, back to the dark ages and public stoning of the Gays, especially ones that condone slang as an honest expression!…Seriously, the ASB need to have a scale to determine the intellect and validity of the complaints!…This one is a no brainer, who do I complain to about the Target complainers?

Jugs and orbs and darts and gourds
Elmer Fudds and bouncing Buddhas
Sweater stretchers, lung protectors
Beach umbrellas, frost detectors
Scooby Snacks and snake-eyes dice
Jell-o molds and high-beam lights
Every day I probably use
Humpty Dumplings, Hardy Boys
Double lattes, Ode to Joys
Hooters, shooters, physics tutors
Bobbsey Twins and bald commuters
Double-WMD’s
MRE’s and PFD’s
Snow-white dwarfs, Picasso cubes
Gerber servers, holy grails
Whoopee cushions, humpback whales
Flying saucers, traffic stoppers
Super Big Gulps, Double Whoppers
Pillows, billows, Don DeLillos
Soft-serve cones and armadillos
Pimped-out hubcaps, inner tubes
Midget earmuffs, warming globes
Strobes and probes and frontal lobes
Knockers, honkers, knicker bonkers
Smurfs and Screaming Yellow Zonkers
Tannin’ cannons, Mister Bigs
Big bad wolves and Porky Pigs
Jogging partners, saline noobs
Two-point jumpers, Bambi’s Thumpers
Rubber baby buggy bumpers
Rutabagas, Chi Omegas
Schwag the showgirls show in Vegas
Congo bongos, bowling pins
Fast-pitch softballs, siamese twins.

How many narrow minded twats fainted?

I can’t stand the target advertisement on TV with that horrible guy in it. Whether he is gay or not my children will not go in the shop or I cannot buy clothes ect from target anymore they say it’s not cool to buy things from Target have u seen that advertisement on TV with that stupid man on it no way will they ever wear target clothes ect now !!

Keep your comments to yourself haters! Put your phone away and worry about the bigger issues in life. I love the ad personally.

I have been watching Gok for years thanks to Foxtel & I adore him. I admire where he has come from as a mixed race very overweight teenager who also had had to come to terms with his sexuality & overcome bullying. He has to be one of the most creative men on tv & what he as done over the years for hundreds of women’s self esteem is incredible. I applaud Target for their choice of clothing ambassador. How an someon seriously be offended by the word bangers et still use the term poofter. Come on all you arts minded Aussies would it of been ok if he had used word tits??? Hmmmmmm

I don’t think it’s particularly distasteful. You’re already showing women in their underwear, there are far worse words that could have been used. It seems to align up. If it’s fear for the children, I think “bangers” would go straight over their heads instead of something like “tits”, “boobs” or even “breasts”. All those words get schoolboy giggles.
It’s light hearted. It’s not doing much more than the ad intended.

This country can be oddly puritanical for place that supposedly lives by “she’ll be right, mate”…

Love the Target ads! Brilliant marketing!
All the haters probably having nothing better to do with themselves. They say they won’t be shopping at Target but will no doubt be first in line at the next stocktake sale! Tragic people.

Rock on Gok you are amazing, the whingers … go away nobody cares!!!

Love you Gok just wish you could do a fashion makeover on me and congratulations to Target for sticking by their MAN

This is pathetic. Nobody is actually offended about the use of “bangers”, rather they are despicable homophobes. I thought that I was living in a much more open-minded and understanding world but its a real put down when you hear things like this.

I admire Gok, his openness and personality is very endearing! Keep it up Gok, not everyone in Australia is this horrible.

You go Gok!
I’m pretty sure you have already risen above petty, small minds to get as far as you have.
As someone said earlier – go away whingers! Nobody cares!!
Pretty proud of Target for standing strong.

Dear “Bruce”
Happy to be classed as lower- middle class by such a tosser. Yes, I shop at target but so do I shop at many other stores. That’s not enough to classify me as i sip on bolly while I type this using my Gucci glasses.

People are insulted by him calling breasts “bangers”. We take the piss out of ourselves all the time then why the hell is it an issue he calls them “bangers” and why is his sexuality an issue? He is a human being, plain and simple. Some people take life too seriously and are insulted at the littlest issue. Get over yourselves and find a hobby instead of complaining about an ad. Good on you Target 🙂

“Bruce” I find it a touch ironic that you are denouncing bigotry with a bigoted statement.
I’m a fan of Gok and think it is a very clever ad campaign that clearly speaks to both current and potential Target consumers. It is refreshing to see a big company stand behind its choices in the face of narrow minded criticism.

I agree with Vibey regarding the girls’ clothing. Hopefully the Gok influence can make it more age appropriate.

O MY GOK Would you all grow up!!!! There are bigger an better things to complain about around the world as someone who works for Target I can say I’m proud to have him on board and I wear the shirt with my head held high. Love you gok

Typical Bogan for ya! Go GOK.

I didn’t know he was gay – OK maybe I should have – just don’t like his style and overbearing persona.

He also breaks all the rules – very oval face does not suit shaved hair on sides. For a representative to work as a front person, they have to be liked.

What about an Aussie???

Good on you Target for standing by your choice of Gok, he is awesome.

The ads are inoffensive-the only people who take issue obviously have issues themselves. (In a mature country this would not be one of the most discussed items on this site).

I love these ads.

And honestly who cares if he’s gay?
It shows anyone race, sexuality, gender, religion or anything else can become whoever they want to be.

Big whoop he’s gay.
If you have a problem with him say ‘bangers’, change the channel. Press mute. Turn off the tv.
What about if he refered them as boobies, titties, fun bags, air bags?
Would you prefer that?

Gok on! You rock

I love the ads. Gok has reinvigorated the brand through the quirky advertising. Its awesome.

There are always going to be a few narrow minded bigots who will lodge a complaint. Its a timely reminder that gay and lesbian Australians are still not equal and a small minority are desperate to keep them invisible.

GO GOK – GO TARGET!

OMG homophobes…what makes you think you are the epitome of what an Australian (or a human being) should be? Just another example of how ignorance breeds contempt. Unfortunately, some people’s minds have yet to evolve and sadly, this gets fed down through each generation. Build a bridge. You Go Gok!

Absolutely hate the commercials as annoying as a female hygiene products advertisements. Really Target please be advertising using a traditional Aussie bloke or sheila instead of the fancy pants foreigner. The money better spent on a contemporary male range which what you have at the moment is very very average.

No idea who this gok guy is, but the fact that there is any LGBT discrimination involved in formal complaints of such a nature is simply appalling!!!

Tell them to go and get gok’d!!

Love GOK & thank u Target for standing up for what is right. Give me 50 Gok’s over an ignorant, hateful, judgemental homophobe any day! Woohoo, love yr work Aunty Gok! Keep sharing the love, Honey. 🙂

Target’s response to these bigots makes me want to shop at Target!

Obviously there is a huge amount of support from the buying public her, both for Gok and Target. This is a win for the silent majority of Aussies who are not homophobic but are continually being tarred with the same brush as the narrow minded bigots who are against gay marriage or anyone that us different. Congratulations Target, Tony Abbott could learn a lot from your comments!

mmm… bangers…

Ozi seriously!!!! I’ve heard worst words than BANGERS!! Come on get up with the times Australians!!

Gok Wan is a tv presenter & a fashion stylist who owns his own lingerie including a bra called ‘banger booster’. Gok inspires us All!! …Well done ‘Tar-zhay!!!’

well everyone has got there own opinion…Me as a male was pretty put off with the ads , and I used to shop allot at target , till those ads came along , now I shop elsewhere.

I’m not a huge fan of gok, or the advertisements. But i did have a good chuckle at bangers. I’m pleased to see target defending their choice of personality to represent their brand and that this person was not selected based on sexuality. I say if a flamboyant man offends you, you’re best to lock yourself inside your house, because they are just as much a part of society as everyone else. Lets live and let live.

To everyone who keeps saying their put off by the ads, that’s just as bad! It shows your easily offended by the appearance of marketing whether it be Gok or Ellen or George Clooney. Get serious people, Target is a clothes & home wares department store, not a ‘omg I’m not going in their cause their recent ad campaigns sucked’ store. Sounds like there’s ad-ophobes in Australia to. Get over yourself, your an ant in a country of over 20 billion people.
As for the comments related to being a lower-middle classed Australian for shopping at target, I own & run a business with a decent salary but instead of disposing my income to hide my insecurities behind my Louis Vuitton crap, I donate to charity every month to help other Australians get a chance to actually walk into a shopping mall and buy an item of clothing instead of wearing your old salvo trackies you wore before you became an insensitive tosser.

btw to all other Australians, its not Goks problem your offended, its your problem. He’s not going to feel sad or upset & target certainly aren’t bothered by your rants of self insecurities covered by your hate for another human being.

btw, I’m a lesbian, does that change your view of my comment low cause I don’t care 🙂

I would be the first to complain if I thought it was sexist, but I am not a female and wouldn’t know how women feel about this.

Speaking as a gay man, I can only say I laughed out loud (literally) when he said “bangers”.

Judging from the majority of responses here, I’m not alone.

I do not intend any offence when I comment that, in my humble opinion, the use of the term “bangers” for breasts, bust, boobs, knockers, tits or any other commonly used euphemism for that much publicised, commercialised, artistically studied and represented, adorned, adored and even worshipped portion of the female anatomy, is not nearly so silly as the reducing of the word P*****r and its plural to a row of asterisks.

More adult in a journalistic sense, and much more effective as a rebuttal of the original user, to have added (sic) to the word which was obviously used and which I am forced to avoid in order to express my honest and humble opinion.

You know the best thing … the fact that the ad got noticed, and all his ads got noticed that people payed attention enough to actually notice the word “Bangers”. For target, it has done its job, because you took notice enough of the ad, and if you make the need to judge whatever is said about the GOK ads, you have subconsciously succumbed to marketing and its effects.

And its even better when i get the pleasure of walking through the door and hearing the derogatory comments made in public – seriously people – have a whinge to someone who gives a damn – oh wait no one! I Love shopping at target, I love the staff that work in their stores, and I will always shop there because GOK most likely will not always be there – its better than the stupid ads you do see on tv with no reference to their products they are even selling – and take the hint for some ladies – its better when you do wear a bra and not have your “bangers” banging around loosely!!! Thanks 🙂

Terrible terrible advertising!
Who cares if he is gay or not, the ads just plain suck!

Get a life Australia and stop complaining about these 15sec interludes in your daily dredgery. It’s just life, cheer up.

Love Stil

Loving the irony of saying ‘get a life’ as you’re commenting on something you say you don’t care about at 11pm at night!

I feel privileged that my daughters call me “Mok” (a play on my name – Mark – and that I’m always giving them fashion advice: “That skirt is far too short!”). My daughters call me Mok in celebration of Gok. Our family think he’s a great TV host and feel sorry for the sad bogans who don’t get him or gay men and women.

Bagga, I like http://ifyoulikeitsomuchwhydontyougolivethere.com/ – actual site,k actual takedowns of bigoted nonces. Sadly British only but there’s clearly a huge market for this in Australia.

I think Gok Is great & Incredibly cute. These Target ads have a real sense of fun about them.

Go Gok

people need to get a grip and have a sense of humour-seriously! and the homphobe stuff-so 1986……………

Boy there are some wowsers out there, I love the ads and I think Gok is a great Ambassador for Target – let’s lighten up people and have a bit of fun – and as for the homophobic stuff, we are living in the year 2013 – you need to get with it !