'Our digital covers are creative snapshots that drive and reflect the current dialogue around pleasure, sexuality, equality and culture. Today, Playboy is much more than a magazine,' a representative continues. 'Standing for freedom and equality is in the DNA of this brand. The spokesperson adds that challenging such notions is a part of the magazine's mission. These are the same kind of comments Playboy received when we put Darine Stern, an African American woman, on the cover in 1971 when we featured transgender model Tula Cossey in 1991 fought for abortion rights before Roe v Wade and cannabis law reform in the 1970s.' Another wrote, 'Couldn’t they just revived Playgirl and had him debut on the cover for that since target audience for Playboy is straight dudes who prob won’t take too kindly to seeing a man on the cover of Playboy.'Ī spokesperson for PLBY Group, the publication's parent media company, tells Yahoo Life that pushback in the face of progress is expected, noting, 'Since posting last Friday, we’ve received a lot of great comments, but far too many offensive ones as well. They will destroy each and every haven of masculinity,' someone said. Others commented on the nature of the magazine, sharing thoughts about how the latest digital cover choice seemingly veers from the publication's intended purpose. I’m not anti gay or trans or anything, this is just none sense!' You guys have gone left! I’m out Playboy, I’ve been a fan since the early 90s. Another replied, 'There are appropriate magazines for this homie to be featured.

Case in point as to why.' one person wrote. 'Playboy has been dead for a while now, folks. Still, not everyone is celebrating Rock's cover appearance, as evidenced by the many negative comments - along with the positive - on Playboy's Twitter announcement.

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