“Transphobic”: Libra tampon ad slammed

A Libra tampon commercial featuring a drag queen has been labelled transphobic by implying that transgender women are not real women.

The advertisement depicts a blonde woman and the character of a drag queen competitively applying make up and arranging their clothes while in a nightclub bathroom.

The blonde woman then takes a Libra tampon out of her bag which causes the drag queen to storm out of the bathroom.

Sally Goldner of Transgender Victoria told Gay News Network, “It’s just an incredibly thoughtless ad. It is pretty clear that it is implied that a transgender woman is not a real woman.

“It raises questions to me how the company making the product, the ad company and standards board could allow it to go to air.

“I think this really highlights the lack of teeth that groups like the ACMA and the press council have in these areas of respect where vilification happens but there needs to be more respect. It’s not just transgender people who are affected.”

Goldner said the commercial can have negative implications for all women due to the stereotypes portrayed in the ad.

“I can’t speak for other groups but a lot of women can’t or don’t menstruate,” Goldner said.

“There are a lot of ads that require sensitivity. Frankly, they just didn’t think.”

Goldner added that suggestions have been made calling for an apology and for Libra to do something to support the trans community.

“Some people have suggested they should fund some positive message about transgender people and really show that they are concerned.”