Gay advertising draws strong reactions

The debate over gay marriage isn't just raging in city halls and capitol buildings, it's also heating up in stores and on advertisements as companies grapple with how to reach an increasingly diverse and divided population.

Ikea recently came under fire from Italian politicians for their Italian add featuring two men walking away from the camera holding hands and an Ikea shopping bag, under the phrase, "We are open to all families."

The Secretary of State for family policy Carlo Giovanardi told an Italian TV station that the ad was in "bad taste" and that "many clients of Ikea will not find this pleasant."

Italy doesn't recognize gay marriages or civil unions and in its constitution says that "family is founded on a marriage," Giovanardi said.

The retailer Target has also been criticized by gay-rights groups for its donation last summer to MN Forward, a political action committee that supported Tom Emmer, an opponent of gay marriage who was running for governor in Minnesota in 2010.

The company later clarified the donation was because of the committee's pro-business stance, not because of Emmer.

That donation was cited by Lady Gaga as the reason she cut the exclusive relationship with Target for her newest album.

However, Target later apologized for any misunderstandings and emphasized that the company is not anti-LGBT, nor do they discriminate. In fact, one of their ads for baby products shows two men leaving a house pushing a baby in a jogging stroller.

Some customers were also angry at Target for filing a lawsuit against a group that had been standing outside a San Diego store requesting signatures in support of same-sex marriage. The company responded that they don't allow any customer solicitations.

sisraelsen@desnews.com