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The first issue of iconic men’s magazine Playboy after the death of its founder, Hugh Hefner, has become a first in one more way, featuring a transgender playmate – to mixed reactions.
While French model Ines Rau is not the first trans woman to pose for Playboy – that would be Caroline “Tula” Cossey in 1991 – she is the first to feature in the centerfold in the prominent status of a playmate.
Not unexpectedly, the news kicked up a social media storm. While many congratulated Ines Rau on making history…
Others could not stomach it. Comments ranged from suggestions that Hugh Hefner himself was “turning in his grave” over this, to prophesizing a reader exodus.
@playboy just announced it will feature its first transgender playmate.. Hef didn’t die. He killed himself so he wouldn’t have see this!
— Steve Mudflap McGrew (@stevemcgrew) October 19, 2017
Even Jenna Jameson, former adult film star and Playboy TV show host, joined the outraged crowd.
So @playboy just announced it will be featuring its first transgender playmate… 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
— Jenna Jameson (@jennajameson) October 19, 2017
Inevitably, there followed a backlash against the backlash. Soon enough, someone blamed Trump.
The replies to Playboy announcing Ines Rau as the mag’s first transgender Playmate are a direct look into Trump’s America.
— Chris O’Shea (@ChrisJOShea) October 19, 2017
Playboy stood firmly by its decision, comparing Ines Rau to Jennifer Jackson, the first black playmate it featured back in 1965.
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