Glamour magazine has ignited a fierce controversy in the UK after naming nine trans activists as part of its 2025 Women of the Year Awards, prompting a broader debate about gender identity, media representation, and the definition of womanhood. The publication honoured Munroe Bergdorf, Maxine Heron, Taira Munya, Bel Priestly, Dani St James, Ceval Omar, Mya Mehmi, and Shon Faye on its latest cover, recognising their impact and the viral Protect the Dolls T-shirt campaign that has gained significant attention amid heated political and cultural discussions around transgender rights.
The magazine framed the decision as a vital recognition in the context of recent anti-trans legislation, controversial court rulings, and ongoing debates about the status of single-sex spaces. Munroe Bergdorf, a well-known model and author, emphasised to Glamour the urgency of the campaign, calling for broader conversations on protecting the transgender community, especially trans women who face intense targeting and discrimination. Meanwhile, Maxine Heron, communications officer at the advocacy group Not A Phase, reflected on the personal toll such public visibility can bring in today’s political climate, acknowledging an increase in online hate and expressing her own doubts about whether coming out as trans was the right decision in the face of growing hostility.
While the magazine’s intentions appear aimed at amplifying the voices of transgender individuals at a time of social and legal pressure, the decision has been met with sharp backlash both online and in wider media discourse. Broadcaster Piers Morgan described the feature as 'beyond parody' on his social media platform X, insinuating that Glamour’s move signals a decline for the magazine itself, despite its obvious success. [Photo: Glamour]
Source: Noah Wire Services