Bank celebrates its Mardi Gras alliance

Financial giant ANZ has temporarily altered its name to GAYNZ as part of a fresh campaign in support of the tenth anniversary of the bank’s sponsorship of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The bank’s Oxford Street branch in Darlinghurst (the centre of the Mardi Gras parade, natch) has been decked out completely in gay iconography and decor (well, a Baroque style) and GAYNZ paraphernalia.

Oddly enough, in the centre of the bank stands a sculpture of two ‘homosexual’ penguins – a reference to the two penguins in Denmark who made headlines after pairing up to care for a baby penga.

Says the chairman of ANZ’s Australia Division Diversity Council (phew, that’s a long one): “Diversity, inclusion and respect is an important part of what we do at ANZ so we are particularly proud of our partnership with Mardi Gras which started because our staff passionately believed in supporting the cause 10 years ago.”

That’s one bold move on behalf of a big bank, and it’s got to be one giant step for queer culture – no matter what the anti-pinkwash critics might think.  Antonino Tati