American Apparel Calls For Transgender Models

A company that is famous for its provocative ads and strong stance on gay rights is now issuing an open call for transgender models.

The fashion brand American Apparel posted an ad titled “Transexy! Model Open Call” on their Instagram account Saturday, asking transgendered and transsexual models to visit the Chelsea store.

“Wow, this is why I love this clothing line,” one fan wrote. “So accepting of others and letting anyone model and be beautiful.”

The ad stated that the models need not have experience, only that they be over 16 and wear “simple, fitted clothing.”

“Legalize” campaigns

American Apparel has used transgender models in ads before, and it has been open about its pro-gay stance, spearheading the “Legalize Gay” movement in California that supports same-sex marriages. They also launched “Legalize LA” in 2008, which aimed to promote amnesty for undocumented immigrants.

Yet the brand also came under fire last year, when a UK American Apparel ad was banned for what some saw as the sexualization of a young girl.

Transgender modeling

American Apparel’s first transgender model was Isis King, a contestant on “America’s Next Top Model.” King appeared in a series of ads for the company, modeling its Pride Month t-shirts.

“American Apparel is showing bold leadership by being among just a few companies to include transgender people in its national ads,” GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said in a statement. “The company’s statement that ‘Gay is OK’ will reach millions and send an important message in support of equality.”

Many people are echoing Graddick’s statement, encouraging the company to keep marketing to a more diverse population.

“Kudos to you… for standing behind what you believe!” one fan wrote. “National brands are stuck in a world where they only book one type of model, which is unfair because they don’t have one type of customer.”

Source: NY Daily News