Volkswagen campaign couple file complaint after anti-gay attacks

Diego and Murillo Xavier, Who starred in the Polo campaigna Volkswagen, has filed a complaint after a series of anti-gay attacks on social media.

Since the campaign began, most of the Facebook audience has been opposed to the fact that the automaker decided to choose a gay couple to star in the ad.

“Am I afraid of these threats? Yes. But my commitment to society, my family and my country is much greater,” Diego commented in a post.

“Infringement of rights is not freedom of expression, it is a crime. We were at the police station registering a report of anti-gay attacks that were promoted on social media. […] Just remember, every 36 hours someone from LGBTI+ makes a police report in Paraná and every 19 hours one is signed in Brazil,” he added.

The campaign shows two young men embracing in front of a car illuminated by a purple light and talking about evolution. “Do you know what evolved with you? Polo,” reads the caption text.

“Difference enriches, respect unites,” Volkswagen said in a statement.

The text says: “The foundation of the brand is to ensure respectful and inclusive behavior, both within and outside the company, with direct or indirect business partners.”

In a note posted on the Automotive Business website, Volkswagen also said that it recently launched a brochure for its entire supply chain and dealer network in Brazil to promote the topic of inclusion and diversity in the automotive sector and at all levels of the company hierarchy. According to Automotive Business, VW also said it will remove from its pages all comments deemed offensive and disrespectful.