This might be the ‘gayest’ bank in the world (VIDEO)
A bank in Australia has been given a ‘gay’ makeover to celebrate Pride.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the city’s ANZ Bank decided to do something drastic.
The bank celebrated a gay tradition by giving itself a makeover – changing its name to ‘GAYNZ’ and revamping its Oxford Street branch.
In place of its traditional bank-like foyer, the new branch is now covered in bright colours with bold art throughout.
It celebrates a number of LGBT icons – from Dame Edna to the two gay penguins who inspired the book ‘And Tango Makes Three’.
To celebrate 10 years of support for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and promote diversity, inclusion and respect for all – we transformed our Oxford Street branch into #GAYNZ. Check it out
Posted by ANZ Australia on Monday, February 22, 2016
Sharing a video of the transformation, the bank wrote: “Proud to share that our Oxford Street branch has come out… as GAYNZ for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras!
“See how the branch has been completely transformed, inside and out! Our #GAYNZ branch is inspired by Baroque art and architecture, which has influenced and been adopted by key LGBTI figures throughout history.
“From Liberace, to Dame Edna, to Gianni Versace – the elaborate flourishes of baroque have become a part of LGBTI iconography.”
Though the reaction was positive from most commenters, the ‘makeover’ still attracted some complaints.
One commenter said: “Wow, money wasted promoting a blatant stereotype. As a homo myself, I would have much preferred the cost of this transformation be spent on homelessness or some other equally worthy cause.
“Tacky decor that brands me as an individual into a stereotype is not a worthy cause. It doesn’t promote inclusion either, unless you are the ‘right’ kind of gay.”
The bank replied: “Thanks for sharing your views on our #GAYNZ branch. It’s been decorated in the baroque art style which has been adopted by many key LGBTI figures and not intended to offend or stereotype.
“You might be interested to know that within the branch we feature 16 murals, each depicting a different part of LGBTI culture.
“We agree that supporting a worthy cause is equally important, which is why for the third year in a row we’re donating all non-ANZ ATM fees from our GAYTMs to Twenty10, a charity supporting people of diverse genders, sexes, sexualities, their families and communities.”
Check out the construction of the new bank foyer below:
Proud to share that our Oxford Street branch has come out… as GAYNZ for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras! See how the branch has been completely transformed, inside and out!
Posted by ANZ Australia on Sunday, February 21, 2016
