As a parent, laundry is a big part of my life. From baby onesies to pre-teen gym shorts, I’ve washed it all and lived to tell the tale. I was thrilled, therefore, to see that the iconic Maytag repairman is supporting LGBTQ Pride.
The company tweeted the following on Monday:
Proud to be in any home. Happy #Pride Month. pic.twitter.com/LVUwjejob8
— The Maytag Man (@TheMaytagMan) June 1, 2015
Maytag’s repairman is not the homely “Ol’ Lonely” of our youths, however, waiting in boredom because none of Maytag’s appliances will break. The company updated his image recently so he is now “someone who physically and personality-wise better [represents] the machine … a manly, masculine man, who looks like he has strength and experience to him,” according to the company’s ad agency.
Not my type, but I’m sure many in the LGBTQ community would be happy to see him in a Pride parade.
I also love the not-so-subtle dig at the many bakeries who have refused, illegally, to make wedding cakes for same-sex couples (as I pointed out last April Fool’s Day). Clearly the ad’s creators have some real insight about our community, and aren’t just slapping on a rainbow.
Maytag’s parent company, Whirlpool, is one of the many that have scored a perfect 100 on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index of LGBTQ-friendly policies and practices.
(Thanks to Bob Witeck for the tip.)