RantCrush Top 5: March 17, 2017

You would think that Thinx, the company that set out to revolutionize women’s periods by making period-proof underwear, would have a pretty feminist workplace. But a few days ago, Racked revealed that for many female employees it was not great at all. Several former employees alleged that the company was permeated by dysfunction and hypocrisy, including clashes between the CEO and team members, a “volatile work environment,” and only two weeks of paid maternal leave. Allegedly, 10 people have left the 35-person company since January.

Corporate feminism is often anti-feminism, Thinx edition https://t.co/ASehJHcFdE pic.twitter.com/k02SGxAI46

— Shane (@shaneferro) March 14, 2017

Then on Tuesday, transgender and agender–identifying as having no particular gender–model Tyler Ford took to Twitter to tell their story about how Thinx humiliated them when collaborating. At first, the company said it already had a transgender model, making Ford feel like a prop to make the company look “cool” and “intersectional.” Then Thinx asked Ford an invasive question regarding their period. Later on, Ford was asked to appear with another transgender model to read harassing quotes on stage. That was the last straw, and Ford dropped out. A lot of people are outraged and disappointed, and Thinx will probably have to do some serious work to get back in consumers’ good graces.

we get this script texted to us from (& written by) veronica. 5 mins before we meet her to discuss. cw: transphobia (screenshots) pic.twitter.com/IU9JgByCzS

— Tyler Ford (@tywrent) March 14, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.