31 Models Who Are Actively Increasing LGBTQ+ Representation in Fashion

In 2019, Valentina Sampaio was hired as Victoria's Secret's first transgender model, and she was the first trans model to appear in Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue. The Brazilian-born model told POPSUGAR at the time, "To me, [gender-neutral modeling] represents a victory for society; not just the trans community, but for all people who are currently underrepresented in fashion. We are experiencing a moment — an evolution, and it is a positive one. Brands are finally learning and catching up to the importance of inclusivity and diversity."