Listerine releases rainbow mouthwash and LGBT people aren’t impressed

The mouthwash brand Listerine has released a rainbow-coloured bottle and the LGBT community isn’t here for it.

The product is part of Johnson & Johnson’s Care With Pride range and is covered in rainbow stripes and words including “healing” and “harmony”.

The scheme donates funds to LGBT+ groups such as PFLAG and the Trevor Project, a non-profit organisation and confidential suicide hotline for LGBT+ youth.

Each year, brands attempt to show solidarity with the LGBT+ community by launching rainbow-themed products.

But earlier this month, there was a debate over whether an M&S “LGBT sandwich” – lettuce, guacamole, bacon and tomato in rainbow packaging – was a step too far.

And people have a lot to say about the Listerine bottle.

One person wrote: “Only the gay who has mastered all seven of these Listerine spirits shall be our next supreme.”

“We as gay people, we get to choose how we freshen our breath,” another added.

Pointing to rainbow-themed products by the hair care brand OGX, another joked: “Can’t wait to drink my cold brew absolutely stinking of tea tree and Listerine. ‘Gay rights!'”

One wrote on social media: “I’m so f*****g tired of companies just chucking a rainbow on their s***e to sell to us as if it means something.”

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• Nov 29

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