Gay santa
Back in November 2015, the film Carol (starring Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett) was released and millions of gay people everywhere fell in love with this very gay, Christmas movie. Fast forward to November 2021, and now I genuinely think that Norway’s gay Santa advert may just top it for me.
When Harry Met Santa is an advertisement for Posten, the Norwegian postal service, who is using the giving and spiritual time of Christmas to not only present a side of Santa Claus you’ve not seen before, but to commemorate 50 years of Norway decriminalizing homosexuality.
Norway’s selection of expressing this through an advert depicting Santa as gay may appear like an odd preference on the surface, especially if you just notice it solely as a way to for organizations and companies to utilize Christmas in order to appeal to viewers, but I personally feel that the short film is more genuine and thoughtful than that.
If you haven’t watched the advert yet, let me donate you a quick summary: we meet Harry, an older gentleman who goes downstairs one night on Christmas Eve to uncover that Santa Claus is in his living room. Santa rushes off support up the chimney as Harry looks on. It’s
Gay Santa ad highlights massive shift in Norwegian society
Nordic affairs journalist
Christmas ads have become an annual tradition, often appearing as mini-films with their control festive story. But one Norwegian commercial, featuring Father Christmas kissing a bloke waiting for him at home on Christmas Eve, has become a surprise hit.
In When Harry meets Santa, the four-minute ad by Norway's state-run Posten postal service, the guy is seen writing Father Christmas a letter to the North Pole with the message: "All I want for Christmas is you." And he gets his wish.
"We wanted to celebrate the 50-year anniversary since the abolition of a law prohibiting gay relationships," says Monica Solberg, Posten's marketing director. The ad has been watched well over two million times online.
"The magnitude of response took us a bit by surprise. We expected a reaction, but not to such an extent."
The ad raised few eyebrows in Norway or in neighbouring Nordic countries, but it has prompted some discussion beyond. As well as praise there has been criticism, with claims that it sexualised Father Christmas or that it showed Santa
This holiday season, Posten, Norway’s postal service, is giving us all the affectionate and fuzzy feels.
Two years ago, the organization began to produce an annual holiday advert that has quickly become an anticipated part of the country’s Christmas festivities. This year’s commercial is a care for story that has prompted plenty of comments.
The four-minute ad, entitled When Harry Met Santa, plays more like a short movie and honors the 50-year anniversary of Norway decriminalizing homosexuality by telling the tale of a gentleman falling in love with Ol’ Saint Nick. While there are no subtitles, the meaning and sentiment is very clear.
Beginning with Harry discovering Santa visiting his home, the men exchange looks, and there is an instant spark. In subsequent years, the Harry continues to maintain an eye out for Santa, but his visits are all-too-brief. During one, Santa says, “You snore. I’ll be back next year.” The next year, Santa says, “I’ve got many gifts to convey. I’ll be back next year. Do I watch nice?”
It culminates with Santa staying for a bit longer, saying he got some help from Posten and they can pay more time together. The men then kiss.
T
A new documentary called “I Am Santa Claus” gives a peak into the lives of five Santa impersonators when it’s not the “most wonderful time of the year”—and one of the Santas is gay.
Jim Stevenson, in his 70s, is a Santa impersonator from Texas. Beard, who says he loves being Santa because he doesn’t have kids and it allows him the chance to donate back. The documentary features shots of Stevenson spending time with his crush and the couple sharing a kiss.
“I personally never have had a difficulty with a straight person about being gay and being Santa,” Stevenson says in the documentary. “I’ve never been admonished for that. I’ve never been questioned. I’ve never — it’s just never come up.”
The documentary touches on how Santa can be anyone who can supply the famous white beard and some holiday cheer. But not everybody feels that way when it comes to Santa being gay.
The mall Santa community doesn’t seem too jolly about Santa Claus being queer with people on social media speaking out, many including homophobic slurs in their posts.
One YouTube comment:
“So, Santa Fag makes his film debut? How disgraceful! We, a
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