Social Justice For The LGBTQ Community Is Coming Step By Step

           In class we have been talking about social justice and injustice. I see a lot of social justice themes popping up in my independent non-fiction reading life. One way is equality for gays. I read an article in the Huffington Post about a possible transgender model for Victoria’s Secret. Her name is Carmen Carrera and earlier this month Change.org petitioned her to be the first transgender model for the famous lingerie company. They gained over 35,000 signatures. This shows social justice, because people are standing up for what they believe in.

            In the article, Transgender Model Carmen Carrera Responds To Victoria’s Secret Petition, Carmen says, “ ‘As a brand, Victoria's Secret should feel comfortable marketing towards ALL types of women.’ ” I feel like this is social justice. I think that this is a smart thing to say because women are women no matter what they were in the past, or even what they are now. And Victoria’s Secret shouldn’t be prejudice. This is a really insightful quote showing social justice. Also in the article she states “ ‘I mean, in all honesty, let's keep it real. I know how these things work in the industry. I mean I understand the casting process and I understand that it's difficult to get into a show like this, but at the same time, I definitely feel that I meet all the requirements.’ ” This shows social justice as well because she’s saying she makes the cut so they should base it on what they want, and not what personal secrets Carmen has.

            Social justice is popping up in this article everywhere, mostly because of the fight for LGBTQ community has to win for equality. They don’t want just marriage equality, they want to be accepted and to be able to do everything that straight people can do and not have they’re sexuality be a problem. I think Chang.org was completely right when it came to this petition. Sexuality is an extreme social justice issue. Not only in politics but also in entertainment such as music, writing, and yes, even Victoria’s Secret fashion shows. Carmen is representing a giant step for the LGBTQ community because this is something new they are going to be allowed to do. This could lead up to other things, like transgender workers, even more transgender models and maybe a transgender line. Social justice is a very strong theme in this article, and this situation is a good way to show it.

            In conclusion, this article is a strong way to represent social justice. In my opinion I think there shouldn’t even be a petition. They should just look at Carmen as if she is a natural woman and decide based on her. But if Victoria’s Secret decides to say yes this could be a really big movement in social justice for LGBTQ community. I have very strong opinions about the rights for the LGBTQ community and it angers me that there is even a discussion. We are all human and it doesn't matter who we love. Especially when it comes to getting your dream job. I think it's horrible that they even have a petition! But all in all, Carmen will get through it and I wish her the best of luck.