June is Pride month, when many companies and brands unveil adverts and social media campaigns to demonstrate their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
One of the most successful is a TikTok video made by a group called the Old Gays, to advertise Shake Shack’s new Pride shake—and people online are obsessed with it.
The footage, which was shared on June 14, shows the group’s journey of acceptance.
It begins with a shot of a vintage photo of a young man. A voice can be heard saying: “Growing up, my father was always trying to out me.”
The photo is then put down to reveal the speaker, an older man sitting in the back of a cab. He adds: “Well, here I am free, proud and gay as can be.”
Next comes another photograph: a black-and-white shot of a teenage boy.
A man says: “My father suddenly died while I was in college and I wasn’t sure about my future.”
This speaker is another elderly gentleman, who adds: “But here I am today. 78, proud and still chugging along.”
The next photo is of a man standing next to his mother, which appears to have been taken in the 1980s.
A new voice says: “Growing up I was terrified to come out to my mom.”
The speaker then reveals his face and goes on: “But I finally worked up the courage to do it and she encouraged me to be myself. Well, here I am.”
The final photograph shows a young man crouched in front of a body of water, with a voice explaining that it was taken “one year before my first Pride.”
He says: “I was uncertain of who I was. Now 55 Prides later…
The speaker then shows his face, telling the camera: “…I know exactly who I am.”
The clip cuts to all four men, standing together holding shakes, and saying: “The Old Gays are unshakable.”
The ad, which is captioned “Free, proud & gay as can be,” has been watched more than 2.1 million times on TikTok and has over 690,000 likes.
Thousands of viewers have left comments praising the four men and their stories.
One TikTok user, lilivitek, wrote: “Awww the throwback pics are so cool.”
Another person, Lex, added: “Such handsome men!”
Jlstal2 commented: “Omg I am crying this is so beautiful thank y’all for sharing.”
Daniel Anguaiano gushed: “Love is Love!!!!!!! Pride & Proud!!!!!!!!”
Justice stated: “Dammnnnnn y’all looked good and still do.”
Michal Ann Morrison wrote: “This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen!”
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