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
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Here’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
Visit Kiki’s Bakery at a unique fairytale village in Japan
This quiet forest cafe in Japan lets you read all day in the house of a famous author
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Here’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
Visit Kiki’s Bakery at a unique fairytale village in Japan
This quiet forest cafe in Japan lets you read all day in the house of a famous author
Brand-new theme park in Japan charges foreign tourists 25 percent more than locals for tickets
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
What’s a furisode kimono without sleeves? An incredibly elegant wedding dress【Photos】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 500 million yen【Vid】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
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 considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Brand-new theme park in Japan charges foreign tourists 25 percent more than locals for tickets
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
What’s a furisode kimono without sleeves? An incredibly elegant wedding dress【Photos】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 500 million yen【Vid】
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
One-man anime creator is back with a staff and a beautiful new video with two cool twists
Fighting mild hunger with a Japanese soda that turns into jelly in the stomach【Taste test】
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Famous anime voice actress says she was once so poor she had to eat tissues
Akihabara ramen restaurant becomes a hit with foreign tourists
Twist-cap matcha is the freshest bottle of tea you’ll ever get at a Japanese convenience store
Leave a Reply