Okay, What’s the Real Tea On TomboyX?

If you’re not aware of TomboyX, the trendy gender-neutral brand that just inked a Pride deal with Target, you’re about to learn. The brand has been making gender-affirming clothing for years, and now they’re selling compression tops for Pride. 

Holy shit, Target is selling binders. You can buy binders in a fucking store now. That’s incredible.

Like, every store does ~*~~*~*pride merch~*~*~*~* but that’s actually making a difference for queer youth. I love it. pic.twitter.com/qk6rdG2Owm

— Mx. Kelsey Danger, Team Rocket (@mx_danger) May 6, 2022

People on Twitter are excited about being able to buy chest-binding garments from Target this year. And yes, while that’s a big step forward, there’s still something else that needs to be addressed. 

Back in 2020, a trans male model was mistreated, misgendered, and silenced after he was hired to model their clothes.

I’m very disappointed in Tomboy x. I just recently worked with them again, and within a minute of me arriving they informed me that they cast me to model their WOMEN’S CELEBRATION print and reactively I said “No I’m not, I’m a trans man, legally male, and a year on testosterone.”

— Trent (@TrentSebTaylor) March 6, 2020

Tomboyx blocked me for embracing pride by “being authentic, being fearless, standing up for what is right” and speaking about the transphobia and misgendering I endured by their company on their set. Exploiting trans people is wrong, and then to rid us of our voice is outrageous. pic.twitter.com/dj1DO9SQwK

— Trent (@TrentSebTaylor) June 28, 2020

In the two years since, he still hasn’t gotten an apology.

Did things with Tomboy X ever get resolved? — No, they still have me blocked for coming out about experiencing transphobia on their set. https://t.co/dsVHBpFZCy

— Trent (@TrentSebTaylor) May 8, 2022

One user pointed out the problem with TomboyX’s advertising succinctly:

Honestly, I’ve always been kinda hesitant about them because they always gave off the vibe that they see trans men and nb folks as ‘people we can pretend are women’ tbh

— Rudra Maharaj 🇫🇯 🇨🇦 (@RY_Maharaj) March 7, 2020

That said, brands are imperfect things, and there’s always room to grow. But until this model gets his apology, we’re holding off on giving them their laurels.