Maxim Names Transgender Woman to ‘Hot 100’ List, Sparking Outrage

Many social media users were outraged by Maxim Australia’s “Hot 100” list after it included a transgender woman.

“Welcome to the 2023 Ultra Tune MAXIM HOT 100 – our annual, eclectic and definitive list of Australian women who have impressed, made headlines or simply had a huge year. The past 12 months saw an abundance of fine and fierce femmes who have wowed us with their aptitude, intellect, humour, attributes and overall incredible talents,” Maxim Australia Editor-in-Chief Santi Pintado said in a statement announcing the list.

In the 92nd spot on the list, Maxim Australia included Dani Laidley, a transgender woman. Laidley was a coach in the Australian Football League before transitioning in 2020.

Laidley’s inclusion on the list sparked criticism from many social media users.

“#92 of top 100 hottest ‘women’ in the world according to Maxim magazine in Australia,” former college Division I swimmer, Riley Gaines, wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “How did we get to a point where companies/institutions/publications can do this with no fear of backlash?”

Conservatives have spoken out against LGBTQ+ and transgender individuals this year, with Bud Light facing a boycott after partnering with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender activist and influencer. In the U.S., Republican state leaders have sought to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that barred transgender women from competing in female sports.

A number of other social media users criticized Maxim Australia this week, such as the Libs of TikTok X account, which said: “Beyond parody. This male just won a spot on the top “Hottest 100 Women” list. They’re mocking us.”

Irish radio host Niall Boylan wrote: “Voted one of Australia’s ‘Hottest Women’ according to Maxim magazine this week. I’m sure the other 12,779,999 women in Australias population must be devastated not to be picked.

X user David James wrote: “Boycott maxim magazine, go woke, go broke!”

X user End Wokeness wrote: “This is Dani Laidley, a biological male. Dani was just added to the ‘Hottest 100 Women’ list by Maxim Magazine.”

In September, the Daily Mail reported on a documentary about Laidley in which she spoke about her transition and how her children found out through Snapchat.

“I sort of started to live my life as me with a small group of friends, but not in front of my children,” Laidley said in the documentary. “I would try my darndest to keep the two very separate.”

Newsweek reached out to Maxim Australia via email for comment.