Tomi Lahren claims men in dresses an ‘attack on masculinity’ after Billy Porter wows Oscars
Fox News contriubutor Tomi Lahren has hit out at men “wearing dresses on the red carpet” after Billy Porter garnered worldwide attention and praise for his tuxedo dress.
The Pose and American Horror Story actor wore the Christian Siriano gown to the Oscars on Sunday (February 24).
Tomi Lahren did not hold the dress in as high esteem as Twitter, it seems.
“Yes, men are now wearing dresses on the red carpet to stick it to masculinity. Welcome to Lala Liberal Award Show season 2019,” she tweeted on Tuesday (February 26).
“I just don’t get this ongoing and continual assault on masculinity by the Left,” she continued.
I just don’t get this ongoing and continual assault on masculinity by the Left.
You can be a proud part of the LGBT community and movement without attacking traditional men and marriage at every turn.
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) 25 February 2019
Lahren went on: “You can be a proud part of the LGBT community and movement without attacking traditional men at every turn.”
Billy Porter defies gender conventions
Porter stunned in his tuxedo gown on Sunday, but he wasn’t alone in defying gender conventions. Drag queen Shangela also walked the red carpet in a dress, while stars including Amy Poehler and Awkwafina wore pantsuits.
Porter explained he chose to wear the dress in order to be “a walking piece of political art every time I show up. To challenge expectations.”
He said that, growing up, there “was a limit to the ways in which I could express myself. When you’re black and you’re gay, one’s masculinity is in question.”
“What is masculinity?” Porter challenged. “What does that mean?”
Porter—who played Lola in the Broadway production of Kinky Boots—said he had “dealt with a lot of homophobia in relation to my clothing choices.”
But the internet was full of praise for the fashion choice.
“Billy Porter has been a blessing to us every single day of his life. What fortune to be living beside someone who shines so magnificently,” said Saeed Jones.
Billy Porter has been a blessing to us every single day of his life. What fortune to be living beside someone who shines so magnificently. https://t.co/EZqKGTWyck
— Saeed Jones (@theferocity) 24 February 2019
Do Tomi Lahren and the internet agree on Billy Porter’s Oscars dress?
Many Twitter users called out Lahren’s logic, pointing to the culture of toxic masculinity that genuinely harms men.
Dana Goldberg wrote, “Are you s******g me with this? It’s the right attacking their own young boys for not being masculine enough. Threatening to drown them.”
“It’s the left that is okay with their son learning to wear make-up,” Goldberg continued, “not because they may or may not be gay one day, but because they light up.”
Are you shitting me with this? It’s the right attacking their own young boys for not being masculine enough. Threatening to drown them. It’s the left that is okay with their son learning to wear make-up, not because they may or may not be gay one day, but because they light up.
— Dana Goldberg (@DGComedy) 25 February 2019
Other users suggested Lahren’s use of “assault” made light of persecuted LGBT+ people around the world.
There is no “assault” on masculinity. The real assault happens every day, on thousands of LGBTQ+ people across the world. You’re so quick to pretend like you’re under attack, when our people are literally being MURDERED for being who they were born to be. Shut up, Tabby.
— the gay brother (@Neil_McNeil) 26 February 2019