It’s nice when something invisibly quotidian is tweaked in a way that grabs your full attention. Previously we’ve talked about slightly altered street signs and artistic renderings of subway maps, and now the humble cash machine gets an eye-grabbing makeover in the interest of LGBTQ inclusivity.
The machines were created by Australia and New Zealand bank ANZ as an extension of their sponsorship of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The super-colorful cash points come in a variety of LGBTQ-related designs, including tributes to the bear subculture and Dykes of Bikes, and are temporarily installed near Pride events.
▼ Here’s one for the drag queens!
▼Bears, but not the man-eating kind. Oh wait…
▼Super hot superheroes.
▼ I would make a joke about Dykes of Bikes, but they could easily tie me up like a pretzel. Hot.
In addition to being a highly visible gesture of support, ANZ donates the operator fees from the GayTMs to Twenty10, a community-based, non-profit organization, supporting people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities.
Not everyone is thrilled with the campaign, though. Some have called it pinkwashing, using a gay-friendly marketing approach to draw attention away from negative aspects of a company. One group went so far as to splash pink paint over a couple of ANZ branches, saying, “As queer subjects, we object to the representation of queer identity in terms of consumptive and wealthy citizens.”
Whether you feel it’s a well-meaning effort or cynical appropriation, you’ve got to love those designs. I wish my local ATM was half so shiny and fun.
H/T Jin 115, mUmBRELLA
Photos and video ANZ Australia
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Samurai chick pudding cake is Japan’s newest hard-to-buy, delicious-to-eat treat【Taste test】
All 47 Starbucks Japan’s local Jimoto Frappuccinos, ranked by calorie count, plus what each one is
The greatest sushi roll in Japanese history is actually nine sushi rolls in one【Photos】
Giant Chiikawa statues appear in one of Tokyo’s most confusing train stations【Photos】
First-ever live-action Pokémon-themed TV drama on the way with former idol singer starring
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Samurai chick pudding cake is Japan’s newest hard-to-buy, delicious-to-eat treat【Taste test】
All 47 Starbucks Japan’s local Jimoto Frappuccinos, ranked by calorie count, plus what each one is
The greatest sushi roll in Japanese history is actually nine sushi rolls in one【Photos】
Giant Chiikawa statues appear in one of Tokyo’s most confusing train stations【Photos】
First-ever live-action Pokémon-themed TV drama on the way with former idol singer starring
When is the right time for a love confession in Japan?
The official cosplay booth models of Tokyo Game Show 2024【Photos】
Why Sensoji temple in Asakusa is better at night
“The revolutionary way to pick your nose!” We try out the Nose Picker
How to buy a cake in a gacha capsule from a vending machine in Japan
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Starbucks adds a matcha and pistachio milk tea latte to the menu in Japan for a limited time
New Weathering With You art book comes with free anime backgrounds for video conference calls
Leave a Reply