Hershey stands by ad featuring trans woman for 'International Women's Day' despite backlash
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (TND) — Hershey Canada is standing by its decision to include a trans-woman in its advertising campaign honoring International Women's Day.
The company indicated last week that it was launching "five limited-edition HER for SHE chocolate bars" at locations across Canada to celebrate the day.
"Each bar highlights a young Canadian woman taking action to build a more positive future," a press release announcing the ad campaign stated.
Among the five women was Fae Johnstone, a transgender woman and "2SLGBTQIA+ advocate" who is the executive director of a Canada-based nonprofit.
The move to include Johnstone among four biological females earned Hershey loads of backlash, including calls to boycott the company.
Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing went so far as to launch his own chocolate bar brand in response.
"The American people are sick and tired of having woke lectures shoved down their throats," political commentator Rogan O'Handley tweeted in response to the Hershey ad campaign. "We want chocolate, not Leftist propaganda."
Some critics alleged the campaign was actually harmful to women. But despite the immense criticism, Hershey is standing by its decision to include Johnstone.
"We value togetherness and recognize the strength created by diversity," the company responded in a post on Instagram. "Over the past three years, our Women's History Month programming has been an inclusive celebration of women and their impact. We appreciate the countless people and meaningful partnerships behind these efforts."
Johnstone similarly responded to the criticism her ad provoked, insisting it was proof of "how far we still have to go in the fight for feminist liberation and trans rights."
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm not shutting up. I will always stand up for women and girls, cis and trans."
The National Desk (TND) reached out to Hershey for comment, but did not immediately hear back. If a response is received, this story will be updated.
