Why does the Irish version of this Coca-Cola advert omit a gay couple?

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Soft drinks giant Coca Cola has inexplicably omitted a same-sex marriage scene from an Irish version of an advert being show across Europe.

The Reasons to Believe campaign features the idea that for every negative part of life, there are many more positive ones, and has been strongly advertised across Europe.

In one version of the ad which appears on YouTube, and which has been shown on televisions across several European countries features a same-sex couple surrounded by friends and family after their wedding.

The Irish version of the same ad features a straight couple in their place, and omits the same-sex couple.

Reports including a message from a Coca-Cola spokesperson suggest that the scene was omitted because Ireland currently does not have equal marriage.

Many have drawn this explanation into question however, as the British version of the ad does feature the couple, even though only England and Wales, not Scotland or Northern Ireland (where the advert has been shown), currently has equal marriage.

It is also possible to argue that the scene could be of a same-sex couple entering into a civil partnership, which are currently legal in the Republic of Ireland.

The Dutch and Norwegian versions of the advert also feature the couple.

Below is the British version of the ad, which does feature the couple

And the Irish version, in which the couple is omitted

Coca Cola did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PinkNews.

Coca-Cola yesterday published photos online of a group of gay rights activists who recently interrupted its Christmas advertising campaign with a surprise demonstration against the company’s decision to sponsor the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.

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