DIVA explores this new TikTok trend that is taking the internet by storm
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY GETTY IMAGES/CANVA
If you’re chronically online, you’ve likely drooled over the viral “performative masc” competition that happened in Toronto over the weekend. Organised by content creator Zhané, the competition saw mascs of all kinds stepping in front of the crowd to put on the show of a lifetime, all for the chance to win $50.
But what is a “performative masc”? And where did this trend come from?
For this, we have to first head over to “straight TikTok”, where this trend was already bubbling away. Around the world, content creators were staging in-person competitions where people cosplaying or dressed as “performative” men would present themselves in front of a crowd, all for the chance of being crowned number one.
What is a “performative” man? I hear you cry. Think someone with floppy hair, a poetry book in their back pocket, a carabiner hanging from their belt loop because they “boulder”, swinging a tote bag screaming about how much of a feminist they are (despite the fact they’re cheating on their girlfriend).
It didn’t take long for the queer community to put their own spin on things. Behold: the “performative masc” competitions were born. Participants have been seen to channel their inner Shane from The L Word, wearing carabiners on carabiners and jorts so long they legally cannot be classed as jorts anymore. As you can imagine, the competitions usually feature a lot of bicep flexing.
These competitions are popping up everywhere, and campuses are being overrun by hundreds of sapphics looking to take part in the fun. At the University of Florida, the winner of their competition told The Alligator: “I think it was really liberating and really fun to be in the middle of campus and kind of show out and be queer.”
At a time when the queer community seems to be facing constant negativity, these fun, impromptu, grassroots-led competitions are bringing queer joy to sapphics everywhere. Some events are even adding in a question round, where questions like “What do you like to read?” can be answered by “The Bell Jar” or “Stone Butch Blues”.
We’ve all probably met someone who fits the “performative masc” stereotype before. Maybe we’ve even been one ourselves. Whip out your jorts and get yourself that cash – it can go towards your next patchwork tattoo appointment.
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