Paddy Power’s Ad Causes Quite a Stir

Transgender pun found offensive The latest ad released by online bookmaker Paddy Power has been considered by many to represent poor taste and even discrimination, which caused quite a stir in the general public. Namely, the ad focuses on the upcoming Cheltenham Ladies Day horseracing event, and it introduces a number of women, some of which are transgender. During the presentation a voiceover asks viewers to "spot the stallions from the mares", with a running commentary of "man" or "woman" as each women appears on screen. A number of complaints have arrived about the ad, posted on YouTube; one of them was made by feminist blogger Stephanie Stevens who stated: "By suggesting that transwomen should be sought out and openly identified as men, your advert not only shows a gross misunderstanding of gender identity, it is inciting viewers to transgender bullying and hatred." And even though Paddy Power keeps claiming that the advert was meant to be viewed as “light hearted fun” which does not have any offensive ambitions, adding that it was approved by UK TV vetting body Clear Cast and that several members of the UK transgender community are cast in it, the bad taste impression still seems to prevail upon the unfortunate ad.