In a film sponsored by Lynx, we are introduced to Ladybeard, the cross-dressing Australian wrestler defying gender stereotypes
Both men and women have long been restricted by gender norms and stereotypes, and although much progress is being made, these traditional (and very much outdated) ideas of masculinity and femininity still persist. Sadly, there is pressure on people to both conform to what is considered ‘normal’ and deny their true selves. It goes without saying that these archaic stereotypes are not a true indication, or representation of the wonderfully rich and diverse community we live in, so in order to overcome gender norms, we must challenge our own beliefs and the things that we see and are exposed to on a daily basis.
[full-width-figure image=”https://dtl-staging.org/2020/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Screen-Shot-2016-09-29-at-16.33.38.png” alt=”Ladybeard”]
One such person willing to take up that challenge is the skirt-wearing, bearded wrestler Ladybeard. In this episode of Off Day, sponsored by Lynx, we are introduced to the ‘singer, dancer and destroyer’, bringing his own twist to what has long been considered an overtly masculine sport. Filmed over three days in Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama, VICE Sports gained fascinating insight into the cult following he has amassed, and discovered just how seriously he takes his wrestling and semi-professional pop career.
Here at Ditch the Label we are fully on board with Lynx’s mission to, quite literally, ditch the labels that hold guys back, freeing them to be their own man, on their own terms without the pressures and limits of traditional masculinity; is it okay for guys to wrestle in skirts? Absolutely! Wear makeup? Of course! Cry? Naturally! Just be you, and let everyone else be themselves too. No judgement!
