The everyWoman Blog: New Tampon Ad Shocks Some For Being ‘Transphobic’, But It’s Just A Funny Ad

Taken from here.

A New Zealand ad for Libra tampons, which depicts two women in a public restroom competing to be “womanly”, is sparking big controversy in the transgender community because they say it’s offensive and discriminatory. But is it really?

The new tampon ad (which has since been pulled from public airways in New Zealand because of the outrage) features a drag queen and a blonde woman sneaking glances at each other while they get competitive about putting on mascara, lipgloss and even adjusting their boobs in the mirror.

Apparently, the blonde woman thinks she needs to up the I’m-better-than-you ante so she pulls out a Libra tampon from her purse. To which, the drag queen admits defeat and leaves the bathroom in a bit of a huff.

Amusing? I think so. Offensive? Certainly not. No one is saying transgender women aren’t equal to women. It’s just an ad for tampons that attempts to be funny and lighthearted. Transsexuals don’t use tampons, so there really isn’t anything to be offended about here. But not everyone agrees.

Agender NZ president Cherise Witehira, called the ad “blatantly transphobic”:

It’s extremely offensive because it’s pretty much saying the only way you can be a woman is to get your period.

She went on to say:

Obviously we can’t menstruate. However, we identify as female.

Others from the transgender community concurred and voiced their outrage on Libra’s Facebook page yesterday.

Bex Alphabet said:

I don’t think I’ve been so disgusted or offended by a tampon advert before (and let’s face it, most of them are terrible). Shame on you Libra. Not only is this a terrible, cruel reminder to people who might struggle with their gender, but also an insult to all women – how dare you imply we are that competitive and spiteful over a godamn period? So glad I don’t buy your products.

While other commenters, like Alex Schamenek, wrote:

So for decades now women have been putting commercials on the air degrading men, making us out to be buffoons, and it’s supposed to be okay. But one commercial pokes fun at transsexuals/drag-queens and it’s the end of the world.

And Rachel Haviv added:

People are sooooo ridiculously programmed to be politically correct 24/7 these days that I find it sad that society couldn’t just have a laugh at this ad. It was intended as a bit of humour people!!! Frankly, I found it funny, which in no way makes me any less respectful to people of various transgender backgrounds. Let’s face it, only women ( who were born with womanly anatomies) menstruate! LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE!!!!

Is this ad offensive? You be the judge: