Are the Two Dudes in the New Progressive Ad Gay?

Today's "Ad Report Card" from Slate examines the latest in a series of ads from Progressive (PGR) insurace. The ads typically show befuddled shoppers discussing their coverage needs with a perky saleswoman, who cheerfully espouses Progressive's virtues. This latest ad sparked unforeseen debate, however, over just how progressive this Progressive ad is:

Are they or aren't they? There's been chatter on the Web, and in YouTube comments, about whether the two guys in this Progressive commercial are supposed to be a couple. The evidence is thin but as best I can tell consists of the following elements:

1. The tall guy's speech and mannerisms seem to be tripping a lot of folks' gaydar.

2. Something in the way the men look at each other—close together, face-to-face—suggests they're not just hetero buddies.

3. When the clerk asks if money's been tight, she looks back and forth between the two guys as though she's assuming they're a joint entity.

4. The clincher: The shorter guy appears to be wearing a rainbow T-shirt beneath his blazer.

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