4 TV spots with transgender content

[zevinboots]

Any ad that features an explicitly transgender character is going to draw attention to some way in which transgender and cisgender people differ -- whether socially, medically, physically or otherwise. This is a minefield. These differences don't apply across the board, and how can cisgender people point them out respectfully? When transgender

Comments

[lizsybarite]

I am most struck by the fact that none of the ads are American. This does not surprise me, but it's kind of sad - both the fact that the U.S. is so far behind AND the fact that I'm not at all surprised by that fact.

I thought the Banco Provencia one was a bit heavy-handed, and at first I thought the IKEA ad was about a breakup or something, but I definitely thought they were kind of cool. Thanks for posting!

[zevinboots]

I am most struck by the fact that none of the ads are American.

Honestly, that might also be my bias. A disproportionate amount of online content is from the US, so I actively try to expose myself to non-US art/news/media. Much easier to do living outside the US, for which I'm very grateful right now.

I guess all that, just to say that there might be a whole bunch of US ads out there of which I'm just unaware!!!

Thank you for posting this!

[dodgingwndshlds]

I think that any life, whether lived as a cisgendered or transgendered person, is too complicated to explain in a 30 second ad. And while there is a unique respect required when dealing with the lives of an oppressed minority group, asking advertisers to be perfect or not to touch the issue at all is a mistake. (Not that I think you are asking this). Any of us whose identity is formed through membership in a group that is oppressed are still unique individuals, but we do share common experiences. Highlighting those common experiences is a way for society to explore and understand groups it may not otherwise pay any attention to

Re: Thank you for posting this!

[lizsybarite]

I completely agree. Thanks for being eloquent!

[ginoushka]

So... If I drink Campari, hot genderqueers will chase me through opera houses? The ad says so!

I also thought the Banco America ad was heavy-handed, but wow, what a message to see in a commercial.

[moonshadow]

So... If I drink Campari, hot genderqueers will chase me through opera houses? The ad says so!

Oh, if only it were that easy. :)

[lizsybarite]

I read the Campari ad as "hot genderqueers like it so much when you splatter liquor all over them that they may immediately disrobe!"

*takes frantic notes*

[moonshadow]

My feeling about these ads is positive. I agree, they are not perfect... but, the world has come a long way. Especially outside the US. I guess my overall feeling is that going "yay!" when someone is at least a little bit in your corner will bring them further into that corner. So, I try to respond well to anything that is "well-meaning" or better.

Also, that Campari ad is sexy. Although I find it unlikely that the sexy genderqueer in the dress would wear lipstick so easily smudged... or maybe that's just my fantasy? :)

[zevinboots]

And the Berlitz ad made me giggle.

I liked the fact that it played off the viewer's misconception. That the butt of the joke was more the audience than the talent.

But then I found out it was part of a series. I saw 2 other ads from the same campaign, one with a man in a wheelchair and the other a woman with very large breasts (obviously meant to be silicone implants). That squicked me, as if they'd picked these 3 types of "othered" people, somehow.

But in general, Berlitz has some funny ads. Here are two that made me laugh out loud, particularly because I've been in similar situations before:

[zevinboots]

Oh, the Berlitz "Changes" campaign also featured a guy with a toupee.