Gay and lesbian couples hold hands in powerful new ad - after it's revealed HALF still feel uncomfortable showing affection in public

  • ANZ has released a powerful advertisement celebrating same-sex relationships 
  • The advertisement shows a number of lesbian and gay couples holding hands
  • It comes after a survey found many gay people feel shy showing love in public

A powerful new ad celebrating same-sex relationships has gone viral after a survey showed more than half of gay Australians feel uncomfortable about showing affection in public.

The advertisement from ANZ shows gay and lesbian couples letting go of each other's hands under the judgemental gaze of passers-by.

But at the climax of the clip, couples are seen gripping each other again as a message of encouragement appears across the screen.

The ad was launched to highlight the bank's 'ongoing commitment to the values of diversity, inclusion and respect,' ANZ wrote on its website. 

ANZ has released a powerful ad celebrating same-sex relationships. The advertisement shows a number of lesbian and gay couples holding hands

ANZ has released a powerful ad celebrating same-sex relationships. The advertisement shows a number of lesbian and gay couples holding hands

Under the judgemental gaze of passers-by, several of the couples let go of each other's hands. But at the climax of the clip, couples are seen gripping each other again

Under the judgemental gaze of passers-by, several of the couples let go of each other's hands. But at the climax of the clip, couples are seen gripping each other again

The bank collaborated with marketing research firm Galaxy Research to survey around 1,000 Australians on their attitudes toward LGBTQ issues

The bank collaborated with marketing research firm Galaxy Research to survey around 1,000 Australians on their attitudes toward LGBTQ issues

The ad was launched to highlight the bank's 'ongoing commitment to the values of diversity, inclusion and respect,' ANZ said

The ad was launched to highlight the bank's 'ongoing commitment to the values of diversity, inclusion and respect,' ANZ said

It received an outpouring of positive responses on ANZ's Facebook page, where one man wrote:

'This is a very powerful and thought provoking ad, exactly what we need in this country right now.' 

'I've been with my guy 9 years and we've never held hands because I'm to screwed up from 20 years of hate,' commented another man. 

A woman wrote: 'As a mum of a gay teen it really really upset me that I had to tell them to be careful holding hands with their partner in public, as I was worried about their safety.'

'Thank you so very much for this campaign, it is such an important beautiful message.'

The bank collaborated with marketing research firm Galaxy Research to survey around 1,000 Australians on their attitudes toward LGBTQ issues. 

Australian banks have scored high on the Australian Workplace Equality Index , a survey by the non-profit organisation Pride in Diversity

Australian banks have scored high on the Australian Workplace Equality Index , a survey by the non-profit organisation Pride in Diversity

The survey found that 94 percent of Australians 'agree that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should feel comfortable showing affection in public by holding hands with their partner or date.'

Still, 52 percent of LGBTQ respondents reported they have sometimes felt uncomfortable holding their partner's hand in public.

Australian banks have scored high on the Australian Workplace Equality Index, a survey by the non-profit organisation Pride in Diversity. 

Out of the top-ten corporations on the 2015 equality index, six were banks. 

ANZ came in at number six, and shared the top ten spots with Westpac Group, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Goldman Sachs, Macquarie Group, and National Australia Bank.

The survey is designed to 'to gauge the overall impact of inclusion initiatives on organisational culture' among other things, according to Pride in Diversity.