French Model Ines Rau Becomes Playboy’s First Transgender Playmate

Transgender French model, Ines Rau, has become the first openly transgender person to be named a Playboy Playmate in the 64-year history of the publication. The 26-year-old will receive the title in in the November/December 2017 issue of Playboy where she takes part in a photo-spread and opens up in an interview about her transgender identity.In the first issue since its founder Hugh Hefner died, the 26-year-old model appears in the magazine’s coveted centrefold spot. The November/ December issue is a 100-page tribute to Hugh, who was an advocate for LGBT issues. A black and white portrait of the businessman is the magazine’s front cover image.Speaking to Playboy about her photo shoot, Ines said her centrefold spread reminds her of how far she and other trans women have come. “When I was doing this shoot, I was thinking of all those hard days in my childhood. Nudity means a lot to me since I went through a transition to get to where I want to be. And now everything happening gives me so much joy and happiness. I thought ‘Am I really going to be a Playmate – me?’ It’s the most beautiful compliment I’ve ever received,” she added. Ines is not the first transgender model to feature in the magazine. Back in 1981, transgender actress Caroline “Tula” Cossey was photographed in Playboy to promote the Bond film For Your Eyes Only.

Photo Credit: Playboy

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