Regulator: Paddy Power ad which asked viewers to ‘spot the trans lady’ was offensive

Regulator: Paddy Power ad which asked viewers to ‘spot the trans lady’ was offensive

The Advertising Standard Agency has upheld complaints about an advert by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power which asked viewers to ‘spot the trans lady’.

The ASA said today it had received 92 complaints about the advert, which was released in February.

It ruled the ad was likely to “cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards” and “condoned and encouraged harmful discriminatory behaviour and treatment” towards transgender people.

It noted that the advert had not been prepared “with a sense of responsibility to the audience and to society”.

Clearcast, the broadcaster-owned company that ensures adverts comply with the relevant standards, quickly revoked its approval of the bookmaker’s advert, removing it from broadcast on terrestrial and satellite channels. The ASA has now confirmed it should not be broadcast in its current form.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/05/16/regulator-paddy-power-ad-which-asked-viewers-to-spot-the-trans-lady-was-offensive/

(On edit: See how the company describes why they are disappointed. Incredible ignorance.)