For The First Time Ever, A Trans Woman Covers Cosmopolitan South Africa
Cosmopolitan makes history with #SayYesToLove issue.
Orange Is The New Black actress Laverne Cox is the cover girl for Cosmopolitan South Africa's February issue. This makes her the first transgender woman on the magazine's cover, or any other mainstream South African magazine.
Say WHAT? #SayYesToLove 🏳️🌈 And this month's issue is filled with it! 💖 In this South Africa exclusive @lavernecox stars as COSMO's first ever openly trans cover girl! ALSO, #LGBTQI+ allies and activists on Love in 2018 💝#COSMOxLaverne#COSMOFebruary#TransIsBeautiful ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/X8J7b7fbkR
— COSMOPOLITAN SA (@CosmopolitanSA) January 22, 2018
The issue's masthead contains rainbow colors, and its cover line is #SayYesToLove. It features prominent LGBTQI+ South African artists and personalities. Look out for interviews with the likes of Elle van Der Berg, Desire Marea, Faka, K-$, Sydney Davy, Glow Mammii and Angel-Ho.
These interviews are accompanied by striking portraits captured by the Cape Town-based photographer Niquita Bento.
New portraits 📸 for @CosmopolitanSA - Proud to have worked on this amazing issue #LGBTQI#SayYesToLove#COSMOFebruary#COSMOxLavernepic.twitter.com/HXnkU3D5AX
— Niquita Bento (@xx_niquita_xx) January 22, 2018
The issue has been received positively so far, with many commending the magazine for the progressive step towards inclusivity and representation, which mainstream media seems to either struggle with or just not prioritize at all.
Model Elle van Der Berg tweeted, "This means so much to me because not only is this a gateway to representation, but also a clear reminder that #TransIsBeautiful."
Would you look at that?! I'm this month's beauty model! 😩❤️
This means so much to me because not only is this a gateway to representation but also a clear reminder that #TransIsBeautiful 🏳️🌈💕
PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY BUYING THIS HISTORIC ISSUE ✨ pic.twitter.com/jj4f6cv7EO
— Elle van der Burg (@baby_caramelle) January 22, 2018
Way to go, Cosmo. Hopefully, this is the first of many.
We love queer representation. The girlies are doing amazing.#SayYesToLove#TransIsBeautifulpic.twitter.com/qQieepObaE
— The Idea (@The_IdeaSA) January 22, 2018
All the questions you have ever wondered about @lavernecox we had her answer on set during our #COSMOFebruary shoot 😌💞 From celeb crush to her most treasured possession, listen as she dishes all! 🌸✨⚡️ #COSMOxLaverne#TransIsBeautiful ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜. pic.twitter.com/UWm2wVV3ux
— COSMOPOLITAN SA (@CosmopolitanSA) January 22, 2018
Nothing else matters but this 🏳️🌈❤️ #COSMOxLaverne#SayYesToLove#TransIsBeautiful#COSMOFebruarypic.twitter.com/UscjgzjD7z
— KIM IMPOSSIBLE (@Aaash_Engel) January 24, 2018
Big Ups to @CosmopolitanSA for BREAKING the BOUNDARIES 🙌🌈 this is one of the best Issues I've read. #TransIsBeautiful ❤ we need more covers like this. pic.twitter.com/MPNKdhGk8t
— S. (@mvfu_m) January 23, 2018
What @CosmopolitanSA did with their February issue is phenomenal, as part of the LGBTI i feel very honoured to have had representation from the likes of @baby_caramelle@nkulsey and @Lavernecox as history was being made. #SayYesToLove, thank you for this beautiful issue
— Man's Not Bothered 🇱🇸 (@Minajestic_Moh) January 23, 2018
Love from Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦❤ #SayYesToLovepic.twitter.com/gvfPFmdnB6
— OITNB.TV (@oitnb_tv) January 22, 2018
Sydney and I #SayYesToLove whole time whole time. Why wouldn't we? We're so hot together. Peep your favourite couple in the latest issue of Cosmo available everywhere from today 🤞🏽🌺 Plenty of your other faves in there too pic.twitter.com/cirg3EVwjg
— #KDOLLAHZ (@kdollahz) January 22, 2018