Transgender TV ad pulled for being 'offensive'; asked viewers to 'spot the stallions from the mares'

Cath Martin

Betting chain Paddy Power has had its TV ad featuring transgender ladies pulled by the Advertising Standards Authority.

The TV ad showed women at the Cheltenham Festival and asked viewers to guess which ones were transgender.

The words of the advert invited them to "spot the stallions from the mares". 

The ad was shown on TV and online after being given the green light by Clearcast, but it sparked 470 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority. 

According to the BBC, the ASA said the advert was "offensive, transphobic and derogatory towards transgender people". 

The level of complaints has led to the ad being withdrawn, a decision criticised by Paddy Power.

The bookmaker said it was "disappointed" with the decision as the advert had been pre-approved by Clearcast and transgender group, The Beaumont Society, had told it that there was in their view "nothing untoward with the advert concept".

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