Back To the Main SiteHealth Advertisment Relies on Transphobia
Text reads: If you drink like a man, you might end up looking like one
I find this poster extremely offensive. Not only is it sexist, and relying on the pressure on women to be conventionally attractive in order to control the behaviour of women, but its transphobic.
A trans woman in Warrington where this poster is most widely distributed has made an official complaint, and a request for it to be removed. NHS Warrington, the organisation behind the image, has claimed that they consulted with the “national lead for the transgender community”, and that they saw no problem with the image. I am slightly dubious about that claim, and would like to know what ‘national lead’ they spoke to. Perhaps the UK is much more organised than Australia, but it seems unlikely that there is one organisation or person who is the ‘national leader’ for trans people.
As was pointed out at the Sociological Images blog:
The ad is relying on the viewer being disgusted at the idea of a masculine face covered in make-up. That is part of what is supposed to create a negative reaction. But make-up and masculinity are not intrinsically or naturally at odds. We only believe this to be so.
Relying on people to be disgusted by a masculine face wearing make up? Thats transphobia, and that should not be acceptable.
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Once more its the use the Trans community to get a message across to the STR8 community because you don’t wana be seen asa freak do you!
I seriously doubt that any trans community representative would have genuinely approved of such a depiction, its vile and disgusting to think that the STR8 community perceives us let alone anybody that way!
Its not shock fastor they wanted but the FREAK factor!
I could think of a far betetr idea than that, and I’m not in advertising! I think this goes to show just how far advertising will and does stoop to seel you soemthign that you don’t want nor need. This posters is not EDUCATIONAL, its a good example of how to dis-empower the smaller sectors of the community as a whole.
Both those persons that thought of this idea then those that approved of this idea needs to get out the chair and into the street and see REAL people living their lives and then SHOW US RESPECT we all deserve!
I think this just highlights how far behind the respect 8-ball the whole Trans and Intersexed community really are compasred to the rest of the world!
Progressive Advertising » A Gender Agenda Blog posted on February 3, 2009:
[...] we posted about a transphobic advertisement from the UK. Today I wanted to post something much more [...]