Truman Says
CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Photo: Getty Images
Inspired by news that the next season of America's Next Top Model will feature a transgender contestantnamed Isis Tsunami, New York magazine took it upon itself to write up a short history of the "tranny model."
The only problem? While we adore New York magazine, it appears they need a crash course in Gender Studies 101 ASAP. After discussing Teri Toye -- one of the first transgender models to appear in editorials in mainstream fashion magazines, including a spread in Interview wearing Gaultier -- they move onto RuPaul. Granted, Ru did do much to expose middle America to the joys of gender bending campy self-expression as one of the first widely known and publicized bad ass drag queens on the scene, but she isn't trans. Neither is Andre J, the newly appointed bearded first lady of fashion who was and was shot by Bruce Weber alongside Carolyn Murphy for French Vogue last November.
Don't get us wrong: obviously there's some major gender mischief at work here, but even in the loosey-goosey fashion world where anything and everything goes, you can't just label everyone whose identification with or tendencies toward the male or the female is flip-flopped, off track, or puzzling as trannies.
Still, we appreciate the article -- however misinformed -- if only for reminding us how far fashion has come, and how far it has to go. And here's to hoping Isis can survive Tyra long enough to turn a few heads and change a few minds.
-- NOAH MICHELSON
Watch Now: Pride Today
Latest Stories
FDA approves breakthrough drug that reduces risk of contracting HIV by 96 percent
June 18 2025 5:25 PM
12 pics of Wet Hot Sniffies Summer merch
June 18 2025 3:10 PM
U.S. volleyball star Erik Shoji comes out as queer
June 18 2025 12:51 PM
Trump administration to close LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline in 30 days
June 18 2025 11:34 AM
Jinkx Monsoon's next act? Playing Mary Todd Lincoln in 'Oh, Mary!'
June 18 2025 11:02 AM
22 portraits that prove drag is high art and punk rock
June 18 2025 10:00 AM
Meet the gay couple leading Fire Island's architectural revival
June 18 2025 8:30 AM
Release date set for 'The History of Sound' gay romance
June 17 2025 3:46 PM
A trans woman, forced to compete against men, swims topless in protest
June 17 2025 2:33 PM
Benito Skinner reveals possible 'Overcompensating' season 2 storylines
June 17 2025 1:24 PM
Why Logo Legend Jinkx Monsoon loves playing villains as a trans woman
June 17 2025 12:02 PM
'​Project Runway' star shot and killed at No Kings protest​
June 17 2025 10:35 AM
'Drag Race All Stars 10' was Ginger Minj's shot to 'take my life back'
June 17 2025 9:05 AM