Is the MINI a Gay "Icon" ?

[Paul]

Do you mean my original post back in 2002 that was removed and then replaced by this new thread? If so, you're sadly misinterpreting my intentions. I was surprised it seemed so controversial, I didn't think it was (still dont). I wouldn't be concerned one way or another that the MINI may or may not be seen or marketed as a "Gay Icon", some people take a very strong objection to it, which surprises me.

I still see no controversy or "trollness" in this:

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I still believe it's a valid question, but one that should be discussed sensibly, I mean, the MINI has been advertised and promotoed on the 'Gay scene' quite a lot, I know from my contacts in MINI marketing this was a concous decision, it does beg the question, 'what makes a car a 'gay' car, and on what basis to marketing men, or people in general, make these decisions?'

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by arbee

I was driving our MOC on tick tock, (if i was in any way bothered what people thought i'd say it was my wifes!) I think that the convertible defo has more of a ladieee- and pos 'gay' image attached to it but who cares - i love it! I happily drove it around the next day, on my own with the roof down still complete with tinsel flying from aerial and roll hoops! (cheers Jon!) just call me 'metrosexual' - whatever that means!

if you look at the smilies and the use of my name, you'll see that Soggy was making one of his dry humour gestures at me

which has now backfired and got him some backlash

Hahahaha!!!

He wasn't actually having a 'pot shot' at Cabrio owners in general, or if he was he deserves everything he gets the Gay LY driver that he is

[arbee]

Rakey mate, no I know that, I can do dry humor - I was concurring, just sayin my 2p's worth.... and whatever anyone says about cabrio owners, at least it can divert the attention away from their chilli red tendencies...

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

if you look at the smilies and the use of my name, you'll see that Soggy was making one of his dry humour gestures at me

which has now backfired and got him some backlash

Hahahaha!!!

He wasn't actually having a 'pot shot' at Cabrio owners in general, or if he was he deserves everything he gets the Gay LY driver that he is

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by arbee

Rakey mate, no I know that, I can do dry humor - I was concurring, just sayin my 2p's worth.... and whatever anyone says about cabrio owners, at least it can divert the attention away from their chilli red tendencies...

ah just checking, as we more emotional caring Cabrio owners have to watch out for the older gay chaps

[Speedd]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

ah just checking, as we more emotional caring Cabrio owners have to watch out for the older gay chaps

pot calling the kettle BLACk son

[DEVO]

judging by the number 1 thread on this board, i would say yes. pretty lame actually, it shouldn't matter.

[nylo]

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Marcus~

Is the MINI a gay icon?

There's a thread a bit further down with over 4000 replies and 45,000 views - suggest you read it ALL and draw your own conclusions

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88888

To be fair, Squiggle, that's you, me, minicabrio and a few others who have filled page after page after page of utter nonsense (most of it)

[nylo]

Quote: Originally Posted by DEVO

judging by the number 1 thread on this board, i would say yes. pretty lame actually, it shouldn't matter.

it doesn't matter to the vast majority of us, but why not have a chat about it anyway- most other things are discussed on mini2- that's why it's such a great place to be

[RenaultF1]

Really, who cares. On the subject and on a funny note, I was in Mississippi 2 weeks ago and there was one of those radio spoof songs on mocking the "12 Days of Christmas" called the "12 Gays of Christmas"...the #3 item was "3 mini coopers".

My co-workers and I had a good laugh over it...

[nylo]

Quote: Originally Posted by RenaultF1

Really, who cares. On the subject and on a funny note, I was in Mississippi 2 weeks ago and there was one of those radio spoof songs on mocking the "12 Days of Christmas" called the "12 Gays of Christmas"...the #3 item was "3 mini coopers".

My co-workers and I had a good laugh over it...

only no 3?!?! What's that about?!

[RenaultF1]

Quote: Originally Posted by nylo

only no 3?!?! What's that about?!

...I know...I think it should have been 12!

[nylo]

Quote: Originally Posted by RenaultF1

...I know...I think it should have been 12!

Yup, right up there!

[Grimbo]

Just seen this thread... and I've not read through all the pages, so I'll probably repeat what someone else said.. but here's my 2p's worth.

I reacon the MINI is probably one of the most non-gender orientated cars on the road. The car itself is seriously sexy, but I've seen all kinds of people driving them. Which is good, it means it's appealing to absolutely anyone who wants to pay for one. It's also a marmite car, a lot of people hate it (but I'd wager they'd be swayed if they drove one!!!)

Take something like the Focus ST. It's fabulous, and it's aimed at 25-40yr old guys (I think anyway). And then we have the Vauxhall Tigra. Vauxhall admit it's aimed at girls.. then there's the MINI, which to me appears to be aimed at anyone who wants it.
I've been told a fair few times that my car is 'a bit gay' or 'a bit of a girls car', but frankly, it's quite amusing Usually get this from someone who drives a rep-mobile like a Vectra or a Mondeo. Fine, it's gay and girly if you say so, but it's certainly not bland!

It's a bit like the VW Golf in that respect, which is a nice icon. People buy it because it is a Golf, not because it's manly/girly/gay. It's great that the MINI's appeal extends to guys and girls of all sexualities. Means it's a damn good car dunnit!!

I have to say my girlfriend's MCC looks a lot more girly than my MCS, but that's largely down to the colour and they way she spec'd it to her liking. And hey, her and the car look gorgeous together, so who am I to argue? I get to ride around with a gorgeous girl in a gorgeous car

[dogpaddler]

It should come as no surprise that our society tries to ostracize a group of people based on the car they drive. Mankind has been doing it since we gained opposable thumbs. Is it a need to feel superior or an inadequacy complex? I'm always defending my car as a "manly" car and not a clown car. The MINI is a car for all and is marketed that way. It is a car that appeals to the young, the old, homosexuals and heterosexuals. We all drive a MINI for different reasons, whether it's for performance, gas mileage, or because we like the looks of the car. What it boils down to, is that it doesn't matter. It's just a freakin' car that we here at MINI2 enjoy...it's not a phallic symbol.