SportsBet accused of transphobia for “taking bets” on Bruce Jenner’s new name
Image: Bruce Jenner arrives at the Annual Charity Day hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners, on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)
TRANS* advocates have accused one of Australia’s largest corporate bookmakers of transphobia after it began taking bets on what Bruce Jenner’s new name would be as he undergoes transition.
This morning, Sportsbet — which largely operates online — sent a press release and Twitter post titled Bruscilla, Queen of the Kardashians? It encouraging punters to place bets on which name Jenner, of Keeping Up With The Kardashians fame, would choose as he transitions from man to a woman.
Jenner has reportedly recorded a TV interview with Diane Sawyer, where he is expected to confirm rumours of his gender transition and reveal his new name.
However, leading Australian trans* advocates have slammed Sportsbet for launching the betting campaign in the lead-up to the interview being aired on US TV, accusing the company of transphobia.
“This is a person’s life, not a sporting event, and to have bets on it is just ridiculous,” Transgender Victoria executive officer Sally Goldner told the Star Observer.
“Getting the name you want is probably the most personal moment in a trans* person’s journey, and to have someone play about with it is just so invasive and insensitive.
“Regardless of how public anyone might be, it’s still a personal journey.”
Kelly Glanney, who leads the NSW-based trans* and gender-diverse advocacy group Carmen Rupe Memorial Trust, agreed with Goldner.
“It never ceases to amazing me just how crass, insensitive and exploitative some Australian businesses are willing to be in pursuit of publicity and profit,” she told the Star Observer.
“Sportsbet are clearly engaging in emotional vampirism of the very worst kind – a corporation publicaly mocking members of a historically-persecuted and still highly-marginalised minority for the sole purpose of driving sales for their online gambling products is simply not acceptable in a civilised 21st century society.”
Both Glanney and Goldner urged Sportsbet to shut down its betting campaign, and to publicly apologise and offer refunds to anyone who has made a bet already.
When contacted by the Star Observer, a spokesperson from Sportsbet said that while they fully supported Jenner in his transitioning journey and offered an apology based offending people, they would not apologise for accepting bets on the matter.
“Bruce Jenner is doing a TV interview where he will reveal his name and we are betting on the result of this revelation,” the spokesperson said.
“At no stage was it our intention to offend anyone with this market and if it has we of course apologise for that.
“We are completely supportive of Bruce and the decision he has made.”
The spokesperson added that the reactions the company has received so far has been both negative and positive.
“We offer betting on names as common practice, such as the Royal baby,” the spokesperson said.
“This topic should not be treated as inhumane or taboo and is not considered so by Sportsbet.
“Bruce himself is very open about it so we see no reason to not accept bets from anyone interested in the topic and wishing to have a punt.
“Our apology is based on it offending people, not for accepting bets on matter.”
Despite Sportsbet’s comments, Twitter users have criticised the company for not shutting down the betting campaign.
Wow, Sportsbet. Taking bets on a hugely personal, sensitive transition in someone’s life. Stay classy. pic.twitter.com/Tw1B0s4HQw
— Marc Fennell (@marcfennell) February 17, 2015
Uhm. This is so disgusting. RT “@denhamsadler: Here is SportsBet having a good ol’ laugh over a very serious matter. pic.twitter.com/tEJc9iTw4D” — Matt Marsden (@MattKMarsden) February 17, 2015
Always wondered why I found Sportsbet so alienating oh wait they’re bros of course.
— Michael Walsh (@mikehwalsh) February 17, 2015
You can’t be serious. RT @sophbenj Turns out Sportsbet is even more rude and mercenary than Kris Jenner. Horrific. pic.twitter.com/LOw9KAOgfR — Chris Pycroft (@chrispytweets) February 17, 2015
Despite the backlash, SportsBet continue to make fun of the issue. pic.twitter.com/AB0BWzGvIf
— Denham Sadler (@denhamsadler) February 17, 2015
But I bet it starts with a K
I’m sorry. as Bruce is creating a reality show about transition all bets are on! Don’t be so precious.
Shit l bet $100
Drongos.
Tacky to disgusting. What a nasty org.
Jenny jenner
Who really cares, I don’t find it offensive, I wouldn’t care if people were guessing my name
Yes “transphobia” is real, I live with it daily but how many Trans people do people outside of our circle know?
I am lucky my body reacted well to hormones but some don’t …… we have to live within the limits god we have like it or not it’s human nature to “stare” at someone different. That does not automatically make those starring transphobic though.
Now Jenner needs a kick in the arse, Jenner is making a mockery of “the change” and turning it into a circus!!!!
Don’t support Jenner till we see something that deserves our support.
I don’t find it Transphobic. Why, they have bets on everything. She will have to choose a new name,so bet on one. Whats the issue? I find it refreshingly normal actually.
Why does she have to choose a new name?
I totally agree
$10 on the 25th November!!!!! ✂️✂️✂️✂️
Read the article and look at the language… Cutting of his balls, sex change… This language does not promote tolerance or acceptance. It’s not a case of any publicity is good publicity. Unless you are a trans*, how about we stop putting words in their mouths and telling people trans* or not to get over it. It’s articles like this that push some trans* members to suicide/self harm/substance abuse and that’s the bottom line. Support needs to be positive and not a take what you can get – having an attitude like that is unhelpful and uneducated.
spot on Emma
You can bet on other events in the media like sports and awards.
it’s Bruce Jenner choosing to make it a media event so what’s the difference?
Jenner has already sold the transitioning story to TV, it’s hardly credible to turn around and condemn Sportsbet for offering odds. No doubt the publicity machine that is the Kardashians would welcome the attention.
Abhorrent abs deplorable!
FREAK as a man, FREAK as a women.
It’s a win win isn’t it!
She already said it’s Belinda..hehe
Stephanie Lonel loosing it
I guess people who want public attention and notoriety ought to expect public ridicule as part of the package. Better off leading your private life privately, imho.
Unfortunatly the GLBT community are still facing discrimination. I live in housing in New Farm in Brisbane and we have 3 people who are members of our community. One aged lady who is transgender gets stared at and have seen people hurl abuse at her. This article is one element of transphobia and that transphobia still excists in all elements of the wider community.
Disgusting
Apparently if you don’t like something it’s phobic… very interesting.
It’s not about not liking it, it’s about them taking bets on what name / making fun of the situation
Why do you keep giving this attention seeking family so much attention?
This is the first story we’ve ever done on Bruce Jenner…
Hehehehe burn
Shouldn’t we be giving Bruce Jenner support by denouncing a “bet/gamble” on him/her and trivialising a very serious matter that is gender identification and transition. This. Is. No. Game.
I’m just sick to death of hearing anything about this family
What the hell is Transphobic about this ??? People need to stop being so bloody precious… This brings Trans people into the spotlight and should be classed as a good thing!!
disgusting!