In recent developments, vodka company Smirnoff has decided to collaborate with a transgender woman and drag queen, bringing on Maxine LaQueene as one of its paid partners. Maxine LaQueene, a biological male, has been seen in various Instagram images with the official 'Paid Partnership with Smirnoff' tags, confirming that the renowned liquor retailer has indeed hired Maxine for promotional materials. In addition to her performances, Maxine LaQueene is known for being a fervent LGBTQ advocate, recently making headlines for her removal from the Texas state capitol building by the police after interrupting a legislature vote concerning trans-related bills. Maxine's recent partnership with Smirnoff adds to the increasingly diverse representation within advertisement campaigns.

The news about Maxine becoming a paid partner for Smirnoff was brought to light by UK-based anti-trans and detransition activist, Oli London. A Twitter post by London captured several images that showcased Maxine LaQueene's paid partnership posts along with pictures of her protest at the capitol and subsequent removal by the police. The post then went on to point out LaQueene's stance on LGBTQ issues, opposing Texas' SB14 bill which aimed to ban genital surgeries for children.

Moreover, Oli London questioned Smirnoff's choice of spokesperson and raised concerns regarding Maxine LaQueene's role in representing the vodka brand. The Twitter post alludes to explicit content on Maxine's profile and argues that this might not make her an ideal choice to be the face of Smirnoff vodka. Regardless, the company's decision to collaborate with a prominent drag queen showcases Smirnoff's commitment to inclusivity and diversity within their advertising campaigns.