Offensive Snickers ad pulled, related Web site closed...

I like the watchdog role that bloggers like AfterElton.com, Towleroad.com and Americablog.com and groups including GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign and the Matthew Shepard Foundation have taken this week in the Snickers bar controversy.
They spoke up and pointed out the homophobia in a commercial showing two guys who freak out after accidentally kissing after eating from seperate ends of the same candy bar. They decide to "do something manly" after the kiss and begin ripping hair out of their chests.
The commercial, which debuted during the Super Bowl, was yanked from the air Tuesday. But even more offensive were the alternative endings shown on Afterthekiss.com, a since-pulled website that has four different endings for the commercial including a violent ending where instead of hair chest pulliing, one mechanic hits the other on the head with a wrench. The Web site also showed reaction from grossed-out NFL players.
Mars Inc. spokeswoman Alice Nathanson said Tuesday: "We know that humor is highly subjective and we understand that some consumers have found the commercial offensive. Clearly that was not our intent. We do not plan to continue the ad on television or on our Web site."
Judy Shepard, who son was brutally murdered in a hate crime, said: “I am outraged that Mars, the NFL and these players would promote such an anti-gay message. This campaign encourages the same type of hate that led to the death of my son Matthew. It essentially gives ‘permission’ to our society to verbally or physically harass individuals who are gay, lesbian or bisexual,� said Shepard, Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. “
She added: "In particular, I am dismayed that these players, who are role models to our young people, would participate in perpetuating such discrimination and prejudice.�
Neil Giuliano, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said “Mars, Inc., needs to... hold those within the company and at its ad agency publicly accountable for promoting anti-gay prejudice and violence. We want to sit down with both Mars and the NFL to address our concerns and give them an opportunity to raise public awareness about the destructive impact of these kinds of anti-gay images and comments.�