Stereotyping Ads

Are These VIP Magazine Ads Homophobic?

Let’s get this straight. If you think “Brokeback Mountain” instead of “Once upon a time in the west” when you see two cowboys sharing a moment at sunset, you are not a real man.  Well, that is what this new campaign from VIP, the “Men’s Magazine” claims, asking you to “Think Like a Man”.

While I totally disagree with the concept (I mean c’mon, gay men are not real men?), I couldn’t stop laughing at the “It’s raining men” or “Born to be wild” ad. The third ad shows a policeman with his hands on his hips with the caption, “Village People” or “The Police”.

The April 2008 campaign was created by MatosGrey ad agency in São Paulo, Brazil, with creative directors Silvio Matos and Leandro Castilho, art directors Ricardo Sarno, and Lucas Heck, and copywriters (who we have to credit for the captions) Filipe Medici and Fernando Silva.

At least this campaign did not go as far as Hanes did:

Challenging Stereotypes
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop inclusive and diverse advertising campaigns that challenge traditional gender stereotypes.
Promoting LGBTQ+ Representation
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create advertisements that promote inclusivity and representation of the LGBTQ+ community in a positive and respectful manner.
Addressing LGBTQ+ Rights
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Support organizations and campaigns that advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equality in the advertising industry.

Industries Being Reshaped

Advertising
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new approaches and strategies in advertising to create more inclusive and diverse campaigns.
Fashion
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with fashion brands to promote LGBTQ+ representation and diversity in their advertisements.
Media and Entertainment
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop TV shows, films, and other forms of media that portray LGBTQ+ characters and stories in a realistic and positive way.
SCORE
3.8 out of 10
GENDER
10% Men90% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 65%
Activity 41%
Freshness 8%

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