A new video from furniture giant IKEA shows two men struggling with the discomfort of their too-small bed. It’s part of a faux-nature docuseries, created in partnership with National Geographic, “to capture and document the human species in one of the most challenging habitats the world has ever seen—the bedroom.”
I love the gentle humor here, which has nothing to do with the men being a same-sex couple, just a couple. It’s a glimpse at a relationship universal, gender aside. Who among us hasn’t struggled to get comfortable when sleeping (actually sleeping) with a partner, especially in a bed that isn’t quite right? Also, by featuring a same-sex couple in one of its four videos, the series conveys a nice overall message about same-sex couples being as natural a part of the species as any other.
IKEA has long featured same-sex couples in its ads (and elevators), and sold rainbow-themed versions of its classic shopping bag last Pride month, with proceeds going to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s programs that support LGBT+ children, youth, and families. I’m happy to say my spouse and I are huge IKEA fans. Our house isn’t entirely furnished from the Swedish behemoth, but it leans heavily in that direction. (Here are some IKEA assembly tips I shared way back when this blog was almost brand new.)
Watch the two-man video below, and then check out the rest of the (not-yet complete) series (also entertaining, but less queer).