Stock-photo models upset over Ireland's no to gay marriage campaign poster

Stock-photo models were surprised and offended after their family photo was used in Ireland's no to gay marriage campaign. The family, who remained to be anonymous, supports same-sex marriage.

In the campaign poster of Mothers and Fathers Matter Ireland released last month, the couple with their baby in a photo was used as part of the group's opposition to same-sex marriage. The poster shows the couple kissing each other with their toddler between them.

Just last weekend, majority of Ireland citizens voted "Yes" for the legalization of same-sex marriage in the country, the first country to do so through an open referendum also known as a plebiscite. The couple, who chose not to be named and who are not living in Ireland, are in support of gay marriage.

As to how their picture got involved, they explained that they willingly agreed to do a photoshoot by a friend back in 2012. The photographer offered that the pictures would be for sale at a stock-photo website. Although the couple was aware that their picture could be used anywhere else such as a small magazine or website, they did not expect it would come out in a poster campaigning for a sensitive issue, which unfortunately, they were against. The couple said they believe same-sex couples have the right to adopt and raise children well. The father admits they have no right to claim and there is nothing they can do now but they would just like to clarify that they are for same-sex marriage.

In another report, the couple in their statement emphasized on their firm stand on the issue, indicating that they could be from the UK.

"No one can convince us that life-long unions of so many loving same-sex couples here in the UK and in Ireland, are inferior to heterosexual unions, and it is important to us that our many gay friends know that we feel this way," they said in a statement.

Mothers and Fathers Matter Ireland issued a short press statement on the issue, referring to the couple as "Australian models".

"We're just worried that next week Colm O' Gorman will be shocked and appalled as he  discovers the family in the coke ads actually likes pepsi."

The no to gay marriage poster campaign also indicated that "Persons indicated in this image are models and content is for illustrative purposes only."

Stock photography business is a huge industry, but there are a number of embarassing cases already reported involving stock-photo models finding themselves endorsing something they do not personally believe in.