Absolute Vodka Airs Ad With Trans Theme

[Carolyn Marie]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susannahbreslin/2016/05/29/absolut-vodka-transgender/#4cd16e077f88

I agree with some of the critics; I'm a bit conflicted about this ad. First, I do hope the woman is a trans actress - I doubt they would risk bad publicity if it got out that she wasn't. In addition, it seems like the message is, if you're trans, it helps to be a Friend With Benefits. On the other hand, it does no real harm, IMO.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest]

I don't ear the "with benifit" part? Is it because i'm french and just don't understand something? lol

[Guest]

this ad is so positive the pessimist part of me ear sarcasm,

It's strange to suddenly feel I have allies. Never felt that before.

[MaryEllen]

I don't ear the "with benifit" part? Is it because i'm french and just don't understand something? lol

Good friends with sexual favors to go along with it.

[Guest]

do they imply sexual favors in the ad? I don't ear that

[Guest Alicia Rose]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susannahbreslin/2016/05/29/absolut-vodka-transgender/#4cd16e077f88

I agree with some of the critics; I'm a bit conflicted about this ad. First, I do hope the woman is a trans actress - I doubt they would risk bad publicity if it got out that she wasn't. In addition, it seems like the message is, if you're trans, it helps to be a Friend With Benefits. On the other hand, it does no real harm, IMO.

Carolyn Marie

The message is: "When was the last time you were true to yourself? Sometimes being open to new possibilities is all it takes." which is a quote from the video. There was no sexual message by having "friends with benefits". Only by being open-minded and accepting.

That was a positive message.

[Charlize]

I think it was fun but then again i'm an alcoholic. I saw and heard a great deal of positive energy even if laced with Vodka. Absolute was on a higher shelf than i usually went for. It never lasted long enough to enjoy and while it promised that kind of night it usually led me to oblivion.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Ladyinker]

I thought it had a very positive message, no sex was implied. I think it was just a story about how Darla was still the same person she had always been, and it was him that changed, making their friendship stronger.

Erin

[Guest LesleyAnne]

Well like the writer from Unicorn Booty stated "It's not perfect" but a step in the right direction.

I'm seeing this as a positive, and the more ad agencies learn about trans the better they'll get. After all when was the last time you viewed a transgender featured in such a commercial..........I know I haven't seen one lately or at all for that matter.

[VickySGV]

Two IRL friends of mine are in the entertainment industry in the field of casting production, and the other who owns Trans Talent, which is a talent agent for Trans* people. They had both seen a casting call sent out from a producer who wanted to cast a person for a "very masculine male to female" for a joke type interview with "college students" which they let me read. It was disgusting at best, and both intended to do what they could to shut it down, legally, but in the conversation, this Ad was discussed as being "somewhat" in the right direction and not offensive, but still not the best we can hope for.

[Carolyn Marie]

Actually, by "benefits" I was thinking more along the lines of "knowing everybody," backstage access, etc. I admit though that sex could be imagined, if not implied, in the context of the story line. But heck, sex is implied all the time in commercials, so why not with a trans woman? Sex was even implied in the "Doritos & the Clothes Dryer" ad that aired a few years ago during the super bowl. Hmmm, maybe we have reached a new level of acceptance, eh?

Carolyn Marie

[Ravin]

I didn't see any intimation of sex in that ad.

[Guest Promethea]

It's a swedish company, of course they would cast an actual transgender actress.