Playboy responds to transphobia over 1st trans Playmate
Hugh Hefner’s son Cooper opened a new era for Playboy as it welcomed its first-ever transgender Playmate, Ines Rau, last week.
READ: Playboy welcomes first transgender Playmate
But like most controversial changes, the announcement was met with backlash and criticism online—headlined by remarks from former Playmate and retired porn actress Jenna Jameson.
“I have a problem with it just like I have a problem with a transgender competing against biological women in sports,” she tweeted. “I think it’s setting fire to an iconic brand and pandering to this ridiculous PC world we live in.”
In a series of tweets, Playboy responded to the negative statements by comparing recent social media reactions to public comments made in 1965—when Playboy first featured an African-American cover girl, Jenny Jackson.
In March 1965, we featured Jenny Jackson, our first black Playmate. pic.twitter.com/2zXtQ4EDrd
— Playboy (@Playboy) October 19, 2017
Another one highlighted how some fans canceled their subscription to the adult entertainment magazine.
Many fans revoked their subscription or returned the issue. pic.twitter.com/Xueo3hSDmx
— Playboy (@Playboy) October 19, 2017
But amid all the negativity, Playboy highlighted several readers who were open to changes—both in 1965 and 2017.
History repeats itself. pic.twitter.com/KVGmQMc4gg
— Playboy (@Playboy) October 19, 2017
Rau, meanwhile, will appear in the November/December issue of Playboy—with the late Hugh Hefner on the cover. /ra
