Spearmint Rhino - for the desperate and the desperately unnattractive, discuss...

I had to take a slightly different route home the other day because an accident caused a huge traffic jam. As I came down Cromwell Road (to turn into Earls Court Road) I saw a a massive billboard poster for Spearmint Rhino the so-called gentleman's lap dancing club. I witnessed cars and vans actually slow down to ogle the poster which features five scantily clad women and frankly I found the whole thing very disturbing. So I wrote to the Advertising Standards Authority. My letter is below. You might think it's overkill, I might be accused of having no sense of humour, of being a miserable ball breaker... whatever, in a world of true equality where 1 in 4 women are not victim to rape and domestic violence, I'll 'lighten up'. Until then, I think objectifying women as easy and available and there solely for the titillation of men is unacceptable.

I did some good work today - had a great meeting this morning, then came home to work and finished a small project not due until tomorrow. I plan to get into work early tomorrow and keep up the momentum. I even managed to take a 'lunch hour' and get my windscreen wipers fixed and the car washed. How organised am I!?

I said goodbye to a friend today who is going back to the States. He bought me a very cool hat from Tennessee which I will wear and think of him. I guess everyone has to go home eventually...

THE LETTER:

Advertising Standards Authority
Mid City Place
71 High Holborn
London WC1V 6QT
26th February, 2008

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to complain about a billboard advert on the corner of Cromwell Road and Earls Court Road for Spearmint Rhino – the lap dancing club. The advert features five scantily clad women in provocative poses and is, in my opinion, highly offensive.

This type of objectification is insulting. As is the idea that women can be bought for the titillation of men. I’m appalled that this is considered a suitable form of advertising and would question how an advert that demeans women – and the men that visit these clubs – and adds to the damaging stereotype that women should at all times be easy and available is in anyway acceptable?

Need I remind the ASA of two recent high-profile court cases featuring two different men who targeted women resulting in the abduction, rape and murder of five women in Ipswich and the rape and murder of two women in London. Research indicates that these types of crimes are often fuelled by the portrayal of women in the media and the proliferation of ‘soft porn’ which has become increasing acceptable in our society.

If this advert is allowed to continue to be displayed it should make us all very ashamed at how little human respect and dignity and the equality of women actually matters.

Yours etc.,