Airbnb wants you to wear this ring until LGBTQ people can get married
Airbnb doesn't just stand for temporary digs, you know. The company also wants to their stance on marriage equality extra clear -- they're for it.
And in Australia, where it's not yet legal, they’ve created a new campaign that aims to get the country's citizens wearing simple black rings, until LGBTQ people have the right to legally marry. It's not quite marching up to Capitol Hill, but hey, whatever helps.
Launched on Monday, the campaign's called "Until We All Belong," and it has the backing of Google as well as Australia's largest airline, Qantas, and national bank ANZ.
Designed by influential industrial designer, Marc Newson, the matte black "Acceptance Rings" (which don't completely link up to make a full circle) are a symbol of the need to "close the gap" in marriage equality.
Airbnb CEO and head of community, Brian Chesky, said in a statement, "Openness and belonging are at the heart of Airbnb -- it's at the core of what we do every day … This is an opportunity for people to show their support for marriage equality -- not just those within the LGBTQI+ community, but for anyone to make their support for a brother, sister, parent, friend or loved one known."
A noble cause, for sure, although an entirely symbolic one that may serve to foster more warmth towards the multi-billion-dollar company which already participates in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras each year. Airbnb is also busy lobbying for legal status locally, as part of a 2016 state government inquiry.
"Until We All Belong" is a collaboration with Australia's Equality Campaign, which advocates taking concrete action to support marriage equality, such as faxing local MPs, helping fund TV ads and signing petitions.
The Equality Campaign executive director, Tiernan Brady, said in a statement, "Two-thirds of the nation as well as a majority of politicians want every Australian to be able to marry the person they love in the country they love."
He continued, "It is wonderful to have so many businesses creating this campaign. They do so because they know that equality and fairness is good for their employees, their customers and for all Australians."
Airbnb is encouraging their customers to show support by purchasing a ring from eBay, where they say no profits will be made, with costs covering only postage and handling.
Jerico Mandybur is the editor of Mashable Australia. Previously, she worked as a digital editor at SBS, Oyster Mag, MTV and ASOS. Tweet her at @jerico_m.
