Playboy founder Hugh Hefner passed away at the age of 91 in September.
But Playboy didn’t wait long to do something extreme with the selection of their newest Playmate.
And you will be shocked to see who it is.
Playboy’s newest Playmate, Ines Rau, is a transgender model who will appear in the upcoming November/December 2017 issue.
Cooper Hefner, Playboy’s chief creative officer, told the New York Times that choosing Rau as a Playmate,
“speaks to the brand’s philosophy.”
“It’s the right thing to do,” Hefner told the Times. “We’re at a moment where gender roles are evolving.”
While Hefner stands behind his decision, the reaction from fans on social media was mixed.
It seems as though the magazine is using the model as a marketing ploy and “pushing” their agenda down readers’ throats.
And it’s unclear whether Hugh would’ve approved this decision.
Salon reports:
“French model Ines Rau has been named Playboy’s first transgender Playmate. Her photo editorial will debut the November/December 2017 issue, which will also feature a substantial tribute to the magazine’s late founder Hugh Hefner, who will also appear on the cover.
While the first transgender model to earn the coveted title of “Playmate,” Rau is not the first transgender model to appear in Playboy’s pages. In fact, her initial shoot in the magazine three years ago launched her successful modeling career.
In May 2014, she was shot nude for a spread called “Evolution.” As Playboy writes, “the accompanying copy surveys humanity’s halting shift toward acceptance of gender identities beyond the male-female binary.”
“It’s how I celebrated my coming out, actually,” Rau reflected to Playboy. “I took that chance, and then I signed with an agency.”
“I lived a long time without saying I was transgender,” Rau added.
“I dated a lot and almost forgot. I was scared of never finding a boyfriend and being seen as weird. Then I was like, You know, you should just be who you are.
It’s a salvation to speak the truth about yourself, whether it’s your gender, sexuality, whatever. The people who reject you aren’t worth it. It’s not about being loved by others; it’s about loving yourself.”
Since then, Rau starred in a Balmain campaign, in couture fashion shows and in Vogue Italia. At 26, she is also expanding beyond the modeling industry.
“I just signed a book deal, and I just shot a film. I really want to be an action star!” Rau told Playboy. “It’s telling stories.”
Here is the “sneak peak” of the model for the upcoming issue.
“Being a woman is just being a woman.” Meet November 2017 Playmate Ines Rau, the first transgender Playmate. https://t.co/w28vfilSP9 pic.twitter.com/iVAqOgB0TK
— Playboy (@Playboy) October 18, 2017
Undoubtedly this screams the liberal, pro-LGBT agenda, and it’s likely they will lose a lot of subscriptions because of this move.