Bretman Rock - First gay man makes it to Playboy cover
This is an important statement for the LGBTQI+ community: the October issue of Playboy features a gay man. His name: Bretman Rock. He is 23 years old and beauty influencer.
The very fact that a man is allowed to occupy this position at all is something special. Until now, only a few have been granted the privilege of gracing the cover of one of the most famous magazines of all. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner was one of the lucky ones.
Bretman Rock - who are you?
Bretman Rock is certainly one of those people who will have many people thinking "Where do I know that face from?". Especially fans of YouTube and Instagram should know him better.
He was born in the Philippines and in recent years has chosen a career as a beauty influencer. As it turned out: rightly so. The 23-year-old has a great sense for the "perfect photo" and for putting himself in the limelight.
His beauty and make-up tutorials in particular are legendary and inspire millions of people to copy them. Like Nikki de Jager, he has also made the leap from YouTube to TV. Among other things, he was featured on MTV as part of a reality TV show.
The engagement for Playboy is likely to be another milestone in his career.
What message does a gay man convey on Playboy?
It's already clear that the cover of the October issue of Playboy is likely to divide opinion. What stands for modern progress for some might be eyed skeptically by many others. After all, Playboy stands for naked female skin and less for the LGBTQI+ community... Or does it?
What is certain is that those responsible are making a statement with the decision to make Bretman the "cover boy. True to the motto "Why shouldn't a gay man also be allowed to appear in Playboy?"A new era is now being ushered in, one that stands for more equality and tolerance, but also for openness towards the LGBTQI+ scene.
In the meantime, the October Coverboy has also spoken out himself (on his Instagram account), among other things. His message is clear. He writes that he posts the pictures to "piss off straight men" if they should get angry that he excites them.
The assumption that those responsible for Playboy will now decide to work exclusively with queers is, of course, unrealistic. But in the end, that's not what it's all about. What is far more important is that this action has made it possible to set an example for more diversity in every respect.
And it's already clear - also based on the posts on Instagram - that Playboy certainly couldn't have asked for a better model for its first queer cover. It seems that Bretman Rock has no problem with being outrageous, standing up for the community, and stepping forward confidently and aggressively.
How have Bretman's paintings been received so far?
The pictures were published on Bretman's Instagram account just a few days ago and have already managed to rack up more than 6,000 (!) comments. Many followers are already calling the influencer an "icon" and celebrating his courage and success. Some even go so far as to describe him as "the hottest bunny out there".
In short, so far the negative comments surrounding his cover shoot - at least on his own channel - have been limited. Instead, it seems that many community members have been waiting for this kind of visibility.
Everything about Intersex Awareness Day... You can find here