Golden Gaytime Explained

Golden Gaytime
Alternate Name:Cookie Crumble
Type:Ice cream
Course:Dessert
Country:Australia
Creators:-->
No Recipes:false

Golden Gaytime (Cookie Crumble in New Zealand[1]) is a popular ice cream snack that is made and distributed by the Streets confectionery company in Australia, and first released in 1959.[2] It is a toffee and vanilla ice cream dipped in compound chocolate, and wrapped in vanilla biscuit-like "crumbs" on a wooden paddlepop-stick. Its name has survived intact regardless, or because, of the possible homosexual connotations in modern decades.[3]

Variations

On 4 August 2015, Streets released Golden Gaytime ice-cream tub format in addition to its usual popsicle stick format, as well as selling a tub of the ice cream's crumbs on the side.[4] On 7 September 2016, Streets released the Golden Gaytime cross Cornetto cone – named Golden Gaynetto – in addition to other formats.[5] In 2017, Streets released a Golden Gaytime ice-cream sandwich named the Golden Gaytime Sanga ("Sanga" being Australian slang for sandwich).[6] A rainbow variant was also created in support of the LGBT community in 2017.In the summer of 2020, several locations in Melbourne and Sydney held pop-up stores that contained various exclusive crumb variations, ranging from vanilla crumb, musk sticks, strawberry hard candy, popping candy and edible glitter, to vanilla crumb, pretzel bits and salted caramel drizzle.[7]

Gaytime has also collaborated with various other companies to release Gaytime-flavoured versions of their products, including Gaytime Krispy Kreme donuts, Gaytime Coco Pops, and various Gaytime dessert mixes made by Green's baking, including mousse, cake, brownies and brookies.

Flavours

Various flavours have been introduced, especially in the mid-2010s onwards, with some exclusive to particular stores (Krispy Kreme doughnut flavoured Golden Gaytime was initially released exclusively in Australian 7-Eleven stores). A plant-based version suitable for vegans was introduced in September 2022.[8] Unlike most flavours, the plant-based option has remained a permanent fixture in their lineup.

Flavour varietyDate introduced
Strawberry2015
Mint2015
Chocolate2015
Unicorn2017[9]
Piña Colada2017
Choc Mint McMint Face2017
Choc Fever2018
Salty2018[10]
Violet Crumble2019[11]
Krispy Kreme2020[12]
Birthday Cake2020[13]
Coco Pops2021[14]
Crunchy Nut2021
Froot Loops2021
Plant Based2022
Oak Chocolate Milk2022
Vanilla Malt Shake2023
Strawberries and Cream2024
(Inspired by) Caramel Slice2024

Advertising

The company appears to embrace the camp name by retaining the tagline from the 1980s, "It's hard to have a Gaytime on your own". The in-home boxes feature the words "4 delicious chances to have a gay time".[15] Ads featuring the slogan also occasionally featured men who would accidentally get into risqué positions whilst trying to get a Gaytime. In 2009, Streets started re-airing a television commercial from the 1980s.[16]

Cultural impact

The double meaning of the name is highlighted in The Bedroom Philosopher song "Golden Gaytime".

In 2018, several Indonesians attempted to boycott Unilever over the product due to its name and the rainbow variant in 2017 that was released to support the LGBT community. Unilever Indonesia released a statement in support of the boycotters, but also pointed out that Gaytimes have never been sold in Indonesia in their statement.[17]

In early 2021, an online petition to change the product's name to something "less offensive" gained traction on social media. However, it was met with backlash by the general public, including counterpetitions,[18] and the original petition to rename was withdrawn. Streets has stated that they won't change the product's name.[19] In the same year, the name of the product was criticised by a Muslim association in Malaysia.[20]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kiwis don't know how to have a Gaytime. Chung. Frank. 14 October 2016. News.com.au. 12 February 2017.
  2. Web site: Golden Gaytime classic TVCS return | Marketing magazine . 2012-07-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120328183721/http://www.marketingmag.com.au/news/goldengaytimeclassictvcsreturn-1087/ . 2012-03-28 .
  3. News: Review / John McGrath . Garden of earthly delights . The Adelaide Review. https://web.archive.org/web/20060207051915/http://www.adelaidereview.com.au/archives/2004_11_26/foodanddining_story1.shtml. February 7, 2006.
  4. Web site: Golden Gaytime in a Tub Is a Reality! But Not Because of the Fans. Whiting. Alexandra. 4 August 2015. PopSugar. 12 February 2017. 12 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170212165305/http://www.popsugar.com.au/tech/Golden-Gaytime-Tub-Result-Facebook-38025091. dead.
  5. Web site: Streets launches Golden Gaynetto ice cream, combining Golden Gaytimes and Cornettos. 2016-09-06. NewsComAu. en. 2020-02-04.
  6. Web site: Streets announce official release of Golden Gaytime Sanga. 26 October 2017. 1 November 2017.
  7. https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/golden-gaytime-launches-pop-up-w-dope-new-flavours-takeaway-crumbs/ Golden Gaytime Launches Pop-Up W/ Dope New Flavours & Takeaway Crumbs
  8. News: Poposki . Claudia . 2022-09-06 . Streets release plant-based Golden Gaytime ice cream . News.com.au . 2022-11-06.
  9. Web site: 2017-10-27. Golden Gaytime launches fresh flavours. 2021-01-26. NewsComAu. en.
  10. Web site: 2018-11-01. They've done something insane to our beloved Golden Gaytime. 2021-01-26. NewsComAu. en.
  11. Web site: 2019-09-19. Aussie ice cream lovers' dream: Two national icons to combine. 2021-01-26. 7NEWS.com.au. en.
  12. Web site: New! You can now buy Krispy Kreme Golden Gaytime Ice Creams - and they're half-price this week!. 2021-01-26. New Idea Food. en-us.
  13. Web site: Golden Gaytime drop a new flavour in celebration of its 100th birthday!. 2021-01-26. New Idea Food. en-us.
  14. Web site: 2021-02-24. Golden Gaytime Coco Pops vs Coco Pop Golden Gaytimes. 2021-04-05. Lifehacker Australia. en-AU.
  15. Web site: Box design of golden gaytime . 2010-01-10.
  16. Web site: 2 March 2009 . Golden Gaytime . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/Cv-2Z1qrrHs . 2021-12-14 . live. YouTube . 2010-01-10.
  17. https://coconuts.co/jakarta/news/anti-lgbt-indonesians-threaten-boycott-unilever-golden-gaytime-ice-cream-isnt-sold-indonesia/ Anti-LGBT Indonesians threaten to boycott Unilever over Golden Gaytime ice cream (that isn’t sold in Indonesia) - Coconuts
  18. Web site: Watson . Graeme . 25 March 2021 . The Golden Gaytime controversy spreads across the nation .
  19. Web site: April 2021 . Open Letter From The Golden Gaytime . https://web.archive.org/web/20210507223817/https://www.streetsicecream.com.au/gaytime-lettter.html . 7 May 2021 . Streets Ice Cream.
  20. Web site: nasephia. 2021-05-18. This Ice Cream's Name Made Some M'sians Angry, Here's The Real Story & Irony Behind Golden Gaytime. 2021-10-23. en-US.