Commercial Closet honors inclusive ads by American Express and Absolut

The Commercial Closet Association, which monitors gay representation in advertising, have named American Express and Absolut Vodka as the "gold standard" for sensitive LGBT portrayals in their advertising. The CCA praised the two companies for great work in the past year, but also for a history of supporting the gay community. These sponsors' support includes not just marketing to gay customers and advertising in gay media, but also sponsoring and participating in community events.

American Express' history includes ads using out celebrities in such as Tom Ford, Ellen DeGeneres and Queer Eye producer David Collins. The company's has also addressed LGBT concerns with ads that bring up the different financial issues same-sex couples face.

Meanwhile, the CCA notes that Absolut has been buying ads in gay media since 1981, and was the first major advertiser to target LGBT customers. Absolut also has a history of incorporating queer imagery in national advertising, including Spada, the creator of the gay pride rings, in their 1992 "Absolut Spada" ad and the art of Keith Haring in the 1995 "Absolut Haring" ad.

The CCA is also launching their new AdRespect Score, which will attempt to rate how well national advertisers treat the LGBT community. The CCA's ideal advertiser is one who responsibly includes LGBT imagery, buys space in gay media and participates in community events. The scores will be included on the Commercial Closet's website, helping add context when browsing the site's collection of LGBT-themed ads.