The Bank of Australia and New Zealand has revealed a moving ad campaign, encouraging gay couples to keep holding hands, even in the face of uncertainty.
It has released the ad as part of its sponsorship of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The company says that "even in 2017, the simple act of holding hands is still difficult for some people – let’s change that and #HoldTight."
The ad shows couples holding hands in different social scenes - such as on a date to the cinema or going out to a restaurant - and then quickly dropping them when they encounter someone they are not sure will accept them.
In the final scene, after hesitating, the couple decides to hold each other even tighter.
The ANZ bank hopes the clip will empower couples so that “when you feel like letting go, hold tight”, showing couples standing defiant against societal prejudices and fighting for their safety.
Even in 2017, the simple act of holding hands is still difficult for some people #HoldTight pic.twitter.com/1GH6hKxNvQ
— ANZ Australia (@ANZ_AU) 9 February 2017
The clip received a warm welcome on social media, with many saying it had made them "cry" and was beautiful.
LGBTQ advocates have also highly praised the campaign.
I've been advocating for LGBT rights for a few years & still feel conscious holding my boyfriend's hand.
Next time I'm going to #HoldTight pic.twitter.com/VzPtdxDOGi
— Craig Dwyer (@DwyerCraig) 12 February 2017
The bank has a long history of supporting LGBT rights, earlier this year renaming itself GAYNZ in honour of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
