Celebrities came out in droves at the Playboy Club London yesterday evening, in celebration of Playboy’s British LGBT Awards nomination.
Taking place on the eve of the coveted LGBT Awards ceremony, the exclusive Mayfair party was hosted by Cooper Hefner – Playboy’s Chief Creative Officer – along with Playboy’s November 2017 Playmate, Ines Rau – the magazine’s first-ever transgender Playmate and centrefold.
Cooper also had his fiancé Scarlett Byrne by his side and other celebrities in attendance include Linda Lusardi, Gail Porter and Vicki Michelle, not to mention the iconic Playboy Bunnies who added much glamour and excitement to the evening.
Talking about the LGBT awards, which celebrates campaigners, community activists and straight allies who advance the fight for LGBT rights during the year, Cooper says: “Since Playboy’s inception in 1953, we have stood for freedom for all, not just freedom for the few – and that includes the LGBT community, so it’s an honour to have been recognised at these awards.
“We decided to feature Ines Rau in the magazine in order to solidify Playboy’s voice as an LGBT + ally. It’s very much in keeping with our founding mission of celebrating sex and sexuality, whilst embracing changing social attitudes about sex.”
Having just changed the magazine’s tag line from “Entertainment for Men” to “Entertainment for All,” Playboy is championing a fair and equal society where men, women and transsexuals interact with the Playboy brand all over the world. Cooper continues, “This is really a moment for us to take a step back and say that so much of what the brand stood for in the early years is very much still alive in culture today.”
As well as celebrating the British LGBT+ nomination, the party showcased Playboy Club London’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, which Cooper is keen to see being reflected in the club over forthcoming months.