Playboy magazine is featuring model Ines Rau as its November Playmate, marking the first time the magazine has featured a trans Playmate.
The Paris-born Rau has been shot for Vogue Italia and was also featured in a Balmain campaign. She was also shot for Playboy‘s May 2014 issue. Photographed fully nude by Ryan McGinley, the story was a big moment for Rau. “It’s how I celebrated my coming out, actually,” the 26-year-old told Playboy. “I took that chance, and then I signed with an agency.”
In speaking on the feature, Rau wrote on Instagram, “I am proud to be making history and breaking boudaries! I want to thank the Hefner family and Playboy enterprise for the compliment! Being asked to be a Playmate was for me like getting a giant bouquet of roses. I am also flattered and beyond grateful.”
Playboy has featured trans models in its magazine, but not as a Playmate. Actress Caroline “Tula” Cossey appeared in the magazine in 1981 though wasn’t openly trans. After her identity became public, Playboy featured her in a 1991 issue.
