Similoluwa🫶🏾🩵

It’s interesting how people attend fashion shows, pick out videos of men dressed a certain way, put them together, and suddenly the conversation becomes, “We are losing our men.” Meanwhile, that same fashion show has plenty of men wearing regular shirts and trousers, but those videos rarely get the same attention. It is a FASHION SHOW. A FASHION SHOW! Nobody is losing anything. If you want to see men who fit your definition of “masculinity,” go to a stadium on a Saturday, visit the gym near your house, and have a field day. We really need to be more mindful of the narratives we push, especially when we know, and have seen, how these narratives can put people’s lives and safety at risk. There are things we all dislike or disagree with about other people, but that doesn’t give us the right to ridicule them or encourage hostility towards them. You have a platform. Use it responsibly. Leave people alone!❤️

I’ll encourage men considered “effeminate” to be mindful of the interviews they grant. Unfortunately, some people are more interested in clicks, outrage and engagement than in telling your stories respectfully. They may film and edit your videos in ways that make you a subject of ridicule online, without considering your safety or the backlash you might face. Please be discerning about the platforms you engage with. You deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, not used as content for mockery & reproach. And remember, it’s always okay to say NO.