An open letter to iVillage...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
An open letter to iVillage...
12
Fri, 10-08-2004 - 11:09am
I know, I know... is harping on the subject. Please indulge me.

I have seen an advertisment for a quiz being run under the banner "opposites attract." I have no issue with this at all, and hope that those who take it have fun with it. Yet I cannot help but feel left out, because sometimes in this world opposites don't attract, or the opposites that attract need not be based on what one finds in a certain part of their body.

Yes, 90% of women are heterosexual. And as such, understand where your marketing and product is aimed. Yet if one happens to be of the 1 in 10... they can feel left out.

I feel left out.

Is it too much to ask that such quizzes be retooled so that they accommodate choices in partners that go beyond assuming male must be with female? Or perhaps can we find a separate quiz for our own happy campers?

I love iVillage, and have met many wonderful people over the years here... this is not meant to be tearing you apart, or even an admonishment. It's meant as a request to make it even better, to be more inclusive. There is a diverse world of women beyond this screen, one where sexuality not only includes heterosexual relationships, but other relationships that are just as valid and loving.

Please consider us when developing and marketing such product.

Thank you,

raye ellen




Edited 10/8/2004 11:11 am ET ET by rayeellen

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 10-09-2004 - 12:58am

((((((((((Nelle))))))))))


I'm right there with you sister.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2003
Sat, 10-09-2004 - 1:07am
I agree with Ya, Rayeellen.. It was not until not to far back that on television or in magizines or otherwise that when they were having matchups for couples not only did they only have males with females but whites with whites and Blacks with Blacks and Latinos with Latinos(Spelling?) and Oriental with Oriental.. ..Having an open mind /not a one track.... must first start with an open heart....
**Sigh**"CAT"

 C  >^. A .

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
Sat, 10-09-2004 - 1:44am
it could be that this method works to quickly convey the message the marketers needed to get across to both their male and female target audience, that 90% and that 10%--the fact that this is a couple in love, and this is a product for people in love or want to be in love.

advertising has to capture people's attention very quickly, otherwise ppl will look away and all is lost, all that big bucks spent on tv, print, radio including website banners, trying to push a product.

the fact is, nobody wants to look at commercials. you have to hit them fast.

and because the male and female stereotypically represents a couple in love, ppl universally recognize this and get this in a glance. i suppose they (marketers) think that if they put two men or two women together, the other 90% of the world would be confused and thinks the product is only for GAY people, and turn away because it isn't relevant to them and then that defeats the marketer's purpose--to get their message across quickly and effectively, to get their product sold.

but yes, i would like to see attitudes change, and the media, including advertising to include the fact that there is more tahn one type of sexuality. because until we're fully acknowledged as part of a global community, we won't be fully embraced by the other 90%.

Happily, i'm seeing more of that on television, nowadays--the including of gay and lesbian couples and issues, i hope this is the beginning of a more openminded media, and look forward to more. hopefully advertising will catch up soon.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Sat, 10-09-2004 - 12:56pm
Mebbe we need to talk Olivia Travel into advertising here... maybe that would get attention!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Sat, 10-09-2004 - 12:58pm
Thanks! I wasn't sure if people might be upset the issue was raised; so am relieved to hear that!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Sat, 10-09-2004 - 1:00pm
Very good points!

I'd just like to see it acknowkledged we are more than an afterthought.

Advertisers, dykes spend money, too. Not only in daily activities... see the events planned for Chicago.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 10-09-2004 - 1:23pm

I don't know

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Sat, 10-09-2004 - 1:47pm
I agree... there is always some struggling within over whether to say something or let it go. Ultimately, I chose to say it because... the last thing I wish to have happen is for someone to say "why *didn't* you say it bothered you, we would have done something." At least it is out there, hope it has been seen, my point at least made.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 10-09-2004 - 2:01pm

Raye, if you didn't say what you thought, I would be oh so disappointed ;^)


Big Hugs!


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
Mon, 10-11-2004 - 2:23am
n/t

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