Fae Johnstone, a transgender activist, has been catapulted to the center of the Hershey’s Boycott scandal, sparked by the brand’s International Women’s Day campaign.
The Hershey’s chocolate Her for She campaign was launched for the third year running in honor of the upcoming International Women’s Day, Wednesday, March 8.
The campaign has ruffled feathers among conservative Twitter communities who believe that the inclusion of a transgender woman in a women’s campaign is misogynistic.
Her for She campaign features transgender activist Fae Johnstone
The Her for She campaign, according to a post from Hershey’s Canada, will “shine a light on the women and girls who inspire us every day.”
Five Canadian women were featured in the advert including Indigenous Rights and Water Activist Autumn Peltier, Climate Tech Researcher Naila Moloo, founder of young women’s charity Girl Up Québec Kélicia Massala, and Fae Johnstone.
The confectionery giant will be donating $10,000 to each of the respective causes represented in the ads and $30,000 to Girl Up.
Johnstone posted the campaign in a tweet and said she was “honored” to have been featured.
Who is Fae Johnstone?
Fae Johnstone is a trans woman, small business owner, feminist, writer, and award-winning 2SLGBTQ+ and trans advocate. She is the Executive Director and Co-Owner of Wisdom2Action, a boutique consulting firm.
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2SLGBTQ+ stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and additional sexual orientations and gender identities.
Fae is the first publicly trans person, as well as the first trans woman, to serve on the board of directors of the women’s organization YWCA Canada, where she applies her critical perspective and experience to improve feminist policy and organizations in Canada.
She grew up in a middle-class military family and routinely travels around Canada for work but calls Ottowa home.
Hershey’s Boycott trends on Twitter
After the campaign was launched, some conservative Twitter users were outraged by the confectionary company’s decision to include a trans woman, leading to the hashtag “Boycott Hersheys” trending in the US.
One Twitter user wrote: “Why does Hershey’s hate women?” Another user claimed: “It is selfish for BIOLOGICAL MEN who identify as Women to try and hijack the upcoming International Women’s Day and make it all about them,” while another wrote: “Hershey’s is erasing women.”
However, other Twitter users were in full support of Fae Johnstone’s part in the commercial. A user said: “Close-minded idiots are mad that a trans woman is on a Hersheys bar and want people to boycott it?!?” A second user tweeted: “Lmao people are trying boycott Hershey’s for putting a woman on the wrapper.”
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