Australian lingerie company, Honey Birdette, recently faced a barrage of criticism following its decision to feature French model, Jake DuPree, in its latest advertising campaign. DuPree, who identifies as non-binary, was photographed wearing a three-piece lingerie outfit. The campaign aimed to promote Honey Birdette’s brand, which has identified itself as “for all” since its founding in 2006.
However, the campaign was met with strong opposition from anti-trans activists who attacked DuPree’s gender identity, calling it a “mental disorder”. Some accused the lingerie company of hating women, while others threatened to boycott the brand. This is not the first time the company has faced backlash from right-wing groups.
In response, Honey Birdette issued a statement saying that it would not tolerate hateful rhetoric and that gender-non-conforming people, including trans and non-binary people, are valid in their identities. The company vowed to continue using its voice to empower and support the LGBTQ+ community.
DuPree also took to Instagram to address the backlash, stating that despite the criticism being tough, they are tougher. The French model encouraged others to “wear what you want to wear, be who you really want to be and have as much fun as possible doing what makes your heart happy.”
This situation mirrors the current backlash against trans influencer, Dylan Mulvaney, after she shared promotional photos in sponsorship with sports clothing company, Nike. Anti-trans right-wing activists went ballistic on social media, recording videos of themselves burning Nike merchandise that they had purchased. One user went as far as claiming that women are being replaced by a “little boy with no breasts” despite Mulvaney being 26 years old.
While backlash against Honey Birdette and Nike may seem to be isolated incidents, the incidents are symptomatic of the systemic discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community. The struggles of these individuals serve as a reminder that the fight for equality is far from over.