It was a surprisingly beautiful moment: American musician Macklemore taking the stage at the NRL Grand Final along with singer Mary Lambert to bust out #loveislove anthem ‘Same Love‘.
Same Love – @macklemore feat. @marylambertsing#NRLGF#NRL pic.twitter.com/TAhaZFjKZk
— NRL (@NRL) October 1, 2017
After what feels like an aeon of “respectful debate” that’s been demoralising, destabilising, disheartening and dangerous, it was a performance that really felt like it was bringing Australia, as a country, closer to true equality – complete with rainbow smoke machines.
So of course it wasn’t going to last.
For folks watching the final at home, Macklemore’s performance was followed immediately by an ad by the ‘Vote No’ campaign.
This was the ad famously banned from airing during the AFL final due to its M-rating, for moderate language. It features some of the online abuse allegedly directed towards anti-marriage equality campaigners, particularly repeated use of the word “bigot”, and finishes with the tagline, “Love is love. Unless you disagree.”
Needless to say, punters were not super impressed by this juxtaposition.
https://twitter.com/lozdoglee/status/914405897987698688
LOL at a No ad on TV straight after Macklemore. Keep politics out of sport except for in ads occurring during the game #NRLGF #NRLGrandFinal
— lclmnts (@lclmnts) October 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/dzennon/status/914402996049424384
And now for the “No” ad that doesn’t actually mention marriage and you don’t even know what you can say no to. Wtf? #NRLGF
— MARTY 🏳️🌈 (@martyps) October 1, 2017
I watched Macklemore and turned gay, but then saw the ‘No’ ad and turned straight again. So confused! #NRLGF
— Lisa Potts (@leaseM_87) October 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/alicevictoria19/status/914403276140904448
All right just how bad was the No ad that cocksucker @LyleShelton had broadcast today?
— Ben McGinnes (@benmcginnes) October 1, 2017
The contrast between that joyous celebration of love and that pinch-faced “no” ad was palpable
— Murphers Paradise (@Kerrie_Murphy) October 1, 2017
Fortunately, people in pubs around Australia knew exactly what to do.
https://twitter.com/chrisjoregan/status/914403103499096064
“You can say no” ad just got roundly booed by the whole pub #NFLGF #YesForEquality #grayndler #fuckthehaters
— Narns (@markynana) October 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/vivzilla/status/914402939212402688
The whole question of what is and is not True Blue Aussie is v v precarious but fuckkkkk I’m so happy to hear that the pubs booed the no ad
— Chloe Alison Escott (@vesselskirt) October 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/ahcayley/status/914403257803472896
God bless the good-hearted sports-watching folk of this fine country’s many fine drinking establishments. Boo the hell outta that shit.