In its November issue, Playboy will feature its first transgender playmate. Ines Rau is a French fashion model who has posed for American Vogue and Italian Vogue. Rau was born male, but underwent sex reassignment surgery at the age of 16.  Rau was born in Paris, but now in her 20s would like to settle in Los Angeles.

Rau had posed for the magazine in May 2014, when she became public about her transgender identity. Rau has said that coming out as trans has been liberating. Caroline Cossey was the first transsexual to pose for the Playboy magazine. Cossey was featured in Playboy’s Sept. 1991 issue.

Hugh Hefner’s son, Cooper Hefner, chose Rau to resolidify Playboy’s voice.

“It’s the right thing to do. We’re at a moment where gender roles are evolving,” Cooper Hefner told the New York Times.

While Hugh Hefner died two days before the November/December issue was printed, Rau was chosen months before his death.

Playboy’s decision to have a transgender woman as the playmate of the issue has been met with some backlash.

Critics on social media claim that the magazine has seceded to political correctness and some subscribers have cancelled their subscriptions due to this decision. Cooper Hefner stands with the decision to feature Rau despite the mixed reactions from subscribers.