There’s a lot of work to be done.
If theyre bulk mailers, the greetings are always, “Hey ladies,” or something similar.
The site states they “dont tolerate transphobia.”
Getty Images / FG Trade
However, they use a transphobic moniker.
I replied with a message detailing how the name is exclusionary and harmful to trans women and nonbinary people.
Of course, I didnt receive a reply.
This was not a new occurrence for me.
Lack of Gender Inclusivity Isnt New
The wellness space is predominantly inhabited by upper-class cis white women.
Is anyone giving wellness the inclusive treatment it deserves, and how can exclusionary brands do better?
Who’s Doing It Right?
Thankfully, there are indeed numerous brands that offer a gender-inclusive take on wellness.
Here are a few the majority of the industry could stand to take a cue from.
From curl enhancers to bath bombs, there simply isnt mention of gender in the product descriptions.
Lyoba isnt doing anything specific to be inclusive.
Rather, it’s what theydontdo that makes their products exactly that.
Pleasure toy company Dame manages to do exactly that, though.
While the brand name obviously references women, they remove the gender focus in several ways.
This serves to include not only trans and nonbinary people but intersex consumers as well.
For existing brands not currently following their lead, heres how they can be inclusive of more genders.
All of the above companies serve as examples of gender-neutral branding.
They dont employ any standard pastels for women or muted earth tones for men.
They dont use soft “feminine” fonts or strong “masculine” ones.
They appear to simply be products or services for consumers to use.
than the fonts and colors on deodorant labels.
Wanting others to be well and to feel better is a noble cause.
