Men’s Skirt Month is being staged in Taipei City-based National Taiwan University as part of the students’ efforts to build a gender-friendly environment on campus.
Organized by Gender Studio under the NTU Student Association, the event seeks to break gender stereotypes by encouraging male students to wear skirts, clothing typically considered just for women, in December.
According to Chang Ming-hsu, head of the student club, the traditional gender roles prescribed by our society are dominated by patriarchal and heterosexual mindsets, dictating many facets of people’s lives, such as dress and conduct.
While women wearing men’s clothes is not considered particularly odd, the other way around is not true. “We need to break free from such gender-specific biases, as they obstruct the diversification of Taiwan’s society,” he said.
The student leader said, while some of his male friends support the idea, they hesitate to partake in the event for fear that their cross-dressing might attract unwanted attention.
“That concern underscores an aim of the initiative—to experience the discrimination against people with non-traditional gender identities.”
As the event coincides with Gender-Friendly Month, another student-initiated campaign, Chang said the GS is working with several gay advocacy groups and student bodies to host a series of activities on and off NTU campus.
These include concerts, movie screenings, seminars and social gatherings, he said, adding that participants are encouraged to show support by posting related photos on the event’s Facebook page. (SFC-GW)
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