YouTube/Google rejects Perfume Genius' mildly homoerotic video ad; R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe reacts

In an offensive effort to be inoffensive, Google/YouTube has rejected a 15-second ad for Seattle singer-songwriter Perfume Genius’ hotly anticipated follow-up Put Your Back N 2 It, insisting it “contains non family safe material.” 

The ad, which depicts Perfume Genius’ Mike Hadreas and gay porn star Arpad Miklios embracing shirtless, was promptly rejected by YouTube after Matador attempted to upload the video this past week.  After which, Matador received from YouTube a rather glib response, which stated:

"The ad has been disapproved because it violates our Adult Image/Video Content policy. Per this policy, video content, audio, static imagery, and site content must be family safe. Any ads that contain non family safe material are disapproved. I noted to the team that the people in the video are not entirely unclothed, but the overall feeling of the video is one of a more adult nature, including promoting mature sexual themes and what appears to be nude content. As such, the video is non family safe. In order to have this video ad approved, you will need to bring it into compliance with our policy."

The details of that policy are obviously quite subjective – some might say heteronormative or, dare I say, homophobic – considering you can watch grown men crawling out of gigantic inflated vaginas with no problem. Would they pull the ad if one of the men had been a woman? Probably not.

Matador has apparently asked for clarification (and even possible edits) of the “offensive” material, but have yet to receive a response. 

On the most ironic note, the song “All Waters,” which plays in the background, is explicitly about “internalized homophobia” and “self-conscious[ness] about gay (public displays of affection).”  Thanks YouTube!

Another notable gay musician, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, threw his two cents in about the ordeal, eloquently stating:

"For YouTube to deem this advertisement as 'non family safe' is dumbheaded discrimination; I find their actions in doing so disgraceful and cowardly. YouTube, shame on you. You were born of the 21st Century, now act like it."

Take that YouTube!  And that!

Thankfully, you can still watch the "offending" ad below (via Vimeo), as well as the highly provocative music video for “Hood,” which has both Hadreas and Miklios dressed up as Freddy Krueger at one point. Comment of note: “I am a father of a 2-year-old boy and both me and my wife deem this video and this artist very much safe for our family.”

Perfume Genius’ Put Your Back N 2 It will be released February 21, via Matador.