LGBTQ1 min(s) read
Published 15:49 11 Jul 2020 GMT
Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio has broken new ground this week, becoming the first-ever transgender model to be featured as part of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
The publication, which has run the iconic feature for 56 years, has a history of featuring some of the biggest names in the modeling industry, including the likes of Kate Upton and Heidi Klum.
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In an extremely personal essay accompanying her appearance in the magazine, 23-year-old Sampaio revealed how her background and upbringing had informed her decision to take part in the shoot. As she put it:
“I am excited and honored to be part of the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The team at SI has created yet another groundbreaking issue by bringing together a diverse set of multitalented, beautiful women in a creative and dignified way.”
Watch as Paige VanZant shares BTS video from Sports Illustrated photoshoot:
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Sampaio then went on to reveal the extent of the discrimination routinely faced by the trans community, writing:
"I was born trans in a remote, humble fishing village in northern Brazil. Brazil is a beautiful country, but it also hosts the highest number of violent crimes and murders against the trans community in the world – three times that of the U.S.
"Being trans usually means facing closed doors to peoples’ hearts and minds. We face snickers, insults, fearful reactions and physical violations just for existing.
"Our options for growing up in a loving and accepting family, having a fruitful experience at school or finding dignified work are unimaginably limited and challenging."
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Having come under fire for its lack of diversity, Sports Illustrated has made a conscious effort to include models from a range of different backgrounds. Last year, for instance, Muslim model Halima Aden became the first Muslim model to be photographed wearing a hijab and burkini. Here’s hoping that Sampaio’s inclusion is a sign of things to come throughout the industry.
