Victoria's Secret is being pushed to add a transgender angel to its fashion shows, and a Change.org petition pushing Carmen Carrera as the one has nearly 50,000 signatures, but it doesn't look like anyone's been fitted with angel wings yet.
Victoria's Secret has not responded to the petition or the transgender campaign. Its big New York City show is on Nov. 10 and airs on CBS on Dec. 8. Non-angels set to appear include Rihanna and Selena Gomez.
Carrera was the first openly transgender person on Logo TV's "RuPaul's Drag Race" in 2012, noted the
New York Daily News. Carrera appears in VH1's "Couples Therapy" with her husband, whom she met before transitioning.
The
Change.org petition, taken out by Marco Regalado, said Carrera is recognized by many in the LGBT community.
"By asking Carmen to be a model, Victoria's Secret would show the entire community that they embrace trans patrons," says the petition, which had more than 48,200 signatures Wednesday. "There are so many prejudices toward the trans community, even within the LGBT community, and many trans individuals are not seen as real people."
"To see a transgender model walk would show that trans women are to be taken seriously and that Angels are selected because of their character and talent. As a brand, Victoria's Secret should feel comfortable marketing towards ALL types of women,"
Carrera told
Time magazine in an article posted Monday that she would welcome the opportunity to do the fashion show.
"I want to do this for the 50,000 people who signed the petition on Change.org," said Carrera. "I want to do this for, of course, me and my career. I'm a show girl at heart. If I'm going to do fashion shows, this is the one to do. And I want to do it for my family. I want them to be proud of me. I want them to be like, that’s our kid, we raised that girl right there. And my community, for sure."
Carrera found support for the Victoria's Secret goal on social media.