Lauren Chan made history as the first openly lesbian woman to make the cover of the infamous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
She once again commanded attention in dove grey shorts with a matching loose, long sleeved coverup.
What grabbed people’s attention on the red carpet of the opening of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Social Club was what her white tank top said.
‘Only Respecting Women You’re Attracted To Isn’t Respecting Women,’ the t-shirt said.
The Canadian model, 34, may have been referring to the trolls who are slamming SI for putting her on the cover of this year’s Swimsuit Issue.
The fact is, while many celebrated Lauren’s SI cover as a victory for diversity and inclusivity there was still a small but vocal outcry over her sexually orientation and swimsuit size.
Lauren Chan made history as the first openly lesbian to make the cover of the infamous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue
But someone should tell the trolls that they can whine all they want, Lauren, 34, is more than a swimsuit model.
She created an inclusive clothing line called Henning and sold it for a profit.
Lauren is also a former fashion journalist who rose through the ranks to become fashion features editor at Glamour.
Lauren is one of four women gracing the cover of this year’s issue, joining Salma Hayek, gymnast Jordan Chiles, and college athlete Olivia Dunne.
‘I’m the first out lesbian on the cover — with her own cover — and how much that means to me makes that surprise feel so overwhelming,’ Chan told People of learning about the cover.
‘That’s where I feel like the tears of joy and celebration and relief and community come from.’
Many fans rushed to congratulate her, while others questioned why her sexuality was being discussed at all, posting comments like, ‘How is her sex life anybody’s business?’ and ‘It’s 2025. Nobody cares’.
Chan took to social media after someone left a dismissive comment on a photo from her return to the magazine, which shows her posing on a Bermudan beach in an off-white lace two-piece.
What grabbed people’s attention on the red carpet of the opening of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Social Club was what her white tank top said. ‘Only Respecting Women You’re Attracted To Isn’t Respecting Women’
The Canadian model, 34, may have been referring to the trolls who are slamming SI for putting her on the cover of this year’s Swimsuit Issue
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is making waves again—this time by putting its first openly lesbian model on the cover: Lauren Chan
Many fans rushed to congratulate her, while others questioned why it was even being discussed at all, posting comments like, ‘How is her sex life anybody’s business?’ and ‘It’s 2025. Nobody cares’ (seen in July 2023)
She posted a screenshot of the remark, left by an Instagram user named Caiser Hogan, who wrote, ‘Who are they even doing this for anymore? Women?? This makes zero sense.’
Chan didn’t hold back. In the post, she responded, ‘This is exactly why I show up in this space with my full chest.’
She added that the magazine is meant for women—for representation and inspiration—not as ‘an objectifying catalogue of fantasy for patriarchal pawns.’
In a second slide, she cheekily added, ‘wait ’til he finds out I’m a lesbian.’
In the caption, Chan explained the comment ‘struck a chord with me’ and said she deliberately left it up for everyone to see.
‘The inclusion of myself and other folks that represent minorities in SI Swimsuit signifies an evolution in how women are allowed to exist in this society and which women deserve respect,’ she wrote.
‘This man is insinuating that because I am a size 14, Asian and Middle Eastern, a lesbian, etc., that I am unattractive to him individually and that therefore no man, based on the patriarchal beauty standard, could deem me worthy of being in this publication.’
Chan went on to explain that the magazine is helping to redefine beauty ‘through the female gaze,’ and that every woman should feel seen in its pages.
The fact is, while many celebrated Lauren’s SI cover as a victory for diversity and inclusivity there was still a small but vocal outcry over her sexually orientation and swimsuit size. Seen here with Denise Bidot, Renee Herbert, and Nazanin Mandi
But someone should tell the trolls that they can whine all they want, Lauren, 34, is more than a swimsuit model
‘It is not an outdated, objectifying catalogue of fantasy for patriarchal pawns.
‘If that makes men feel irrelevant and angry enough to throw a tantrum in my comments … I see no issue publicly and permanently addressing them,’ she said.
She signed off by throwing her full support behind the magazine’s mission, writing that she believes in it ‘with [her] whole heart,’ and declaring: ‘SI Swimsuit 2025 is for the girls.’
