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'Transphobic' tampon ad draws criticism

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'Transphobic' tampon ad draws criticism

3News NZ

A handful of supporters, all men, defended the ad

A handful of supporters, all men, defended the ad

Tampon maker Libra has been branded "outrageously transphobic" over its new ad implying transgender people are not real women because they don't menstruate.

Watch the advert and leave your thoughts below

The television commercial depicts a drag queen character and a blonde woman standing side by side in nightclub restroom putting on mascara and lip gloss, and adjusting their bras competitively.

The blonde woman then pulls out her Libra tampon, leaving the drag queen to storm out of the toilets in a huff.

The ad, which wraps with the catch phrase "Libra gets girls", has faced a storm of criticism, with dozens posting harsh comments on the company's Facebook page.

One woman, Gabeh Lissette Gutierrez, posted: "I'm not sure what is more disgusting, the blatant transphobia or the inclination that a period is what defines a woman's femininity.

"Seriously, what were you thinking?"

Another poster, Miserys Malice, hit out at the "get girls" phrase, writing: "So, for the females who've gone through the likes of menopause or hysterectomies I suppose Libra failed to `get those girls'?"

"Having an advertising campaign where some snooty-nosed woman is going to resort to whipping out her feminine hygiene product in the face of someone who doesn't have a menstrual cycle therefore rendering her a winner, maybe was in bad taste and poor form."

A handful of supporters, all men, defended the ad, saying the criticisms were political correctness gone crazy.

But female critics hit back, saying the ad was likely written by men who, obviously, neither menstruate nor buy Libra products.

SCA, which owns the brand, has yet to respond to media calls.

NZN

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Comments

17/05/2012 9:53:41 a.m.

Ryan wrote:

I tend to agree, its all just harmless fun (and im a gay man), and if anything, its actually helping the cause as its 'normalizing' transgenders etc. I dont think it is or meant to be in malice. Harmless fun! get over it :P stop giving the LGBT community a bad name by whining about everything!

9/01/2012 10:50:17 p.m.

Megan wrote:

Woohoo! What a rip roaring debate. Lovin' it.

6/01/2012 11:56:41 p.m.

David wrote:

@KP - there's plenty of transgender people who think this ad is brilliant, is just that some people have no sense of humor. Like you. Why should the world cater to your bland, depressing ideals?

5/01/2012 11:42:22 p.m.

KP wrote:

What an insanely stupid and offensive idea for an ad. Anyone defending this better consider themselves a woman, because otherwise your opinions don't matter. This isn't about you guys. NO ONE has the right to say what's offensive to a person except the person being offended.

5/01/2012 11:59:34 a.m.

Colin wrote:

I thought it was funny, "she" was obviously a drag queen and not a girl. Does menstruation make a woman a woman? No, but it was still humorous, therefore, (like Haz said) quit using "discrimination" to ban laughter - grow a thicker skin and learn to laugh at yourself. Additionally, transgenders will always be what they were genetically born as, you cannot change that by having your plumbing turned inside out. Finally, I agree with Some guy.

5/01/2012 11:08:18 a.m.

Lorne wrote:

I don't understand what that mixed up fellow was doing in the women's loo to begin with. They should put a bucket out in the alley for those people.

5/01/2012 8:38:27 a.m.

Jon wrote:

Men who cut off their genitals are not women. Men who dress in female clothing are not women. "Transphobia" is a made up word that means nothing.

4/01/2012 1:39:44 p.m.

A Yankee wrote:

Good grief. I'm all for continuing to be 'insensitive' to trans-whatevers until they get a thicker skin. As it stands now, they're so belligerent about their confused gender identity that they routinely tell even DOCTORS that they are 'men' when they are XX or 'women' when they are XY, and end up delaying treatment or worse, getting the wrong treatment. Also for the record 'cross dressers' are not transgendered, they are transsexual, and they have no business at all in a restroom of the opposite sex. Nothing used to creep the women at my old office out more than when Larry/Mary used to dress up as a woman some days and subsequently use the ladies room for the day. Transgenders: Stop pointing out how "oppressed" you feel at every opportunity and I will stop poking fun of you at every opportunity.

4/01/2012 1:02:28 p.m.

jamie wrote:

Where is it stated that the other Girl was a Drag Queen? If that is a fact, most Drag Queens are Gay Men and have no desire to be a Woman off stage. Most Trans people that I have known wouldn't be bothered by a "Tampon Test".

4/01/2012 8:06:01 a.m.

Tim wrote:

OMG...a transgendered or cross dressed man will always be a male of the species, and will never be a female of the species. "Gaining acceptance" refers only to the cultural roles of men and women. According to this line of wannabe-victim whining, ads about prostate or testicular health should be sensitive to women's prostate and testicular health. "B-b-b-but what if a transgendered man uses prostate pills to steady the legs of a wobbly end table?!" Those who consider this ad offensive are simply looking for a reason to complain.