A father is challenging gender norms by donning skirts and high heels.
In the journey of parenthood, the goal is often to cultivate children who are broad-minded and embrace diversity.
Typically, parents impart to their children the principle that every individual deserves to be treated with love and respect, regardless of differences.
Mark Bryan, however, is taking a unique approach to this lesson.
As a straight father of three, Bryan is tackling gender stereotypes head-on by opting for skirts and heels as his attire of choice, demonstrating to his children that such norms are merely societal constructs.
His daring approach to fashion has not only caught the public’s eye but also garnered widespread support and admiration.
Comments of encouragement abound, with one person stating, “Great I’m glad he can wear what he wants to. Shows he is self-confident. We need more people like him.”
Another comments, “It looks great! Don’t know how he uses it on his day-to-day though, heels this high for sure hurt after a few hours.”
A third shares a lighter note: “The only thing I’m mad about is how I can’t get my calves to look like his, haha. He looks amazing!!”
Bryan, who works as an engineer, is also making waves on social media.
He has attracted nearly 600,000 followers on Instagram, where he regularly posts about his outfits with the caption: “Clothes and shoes do not dictate a person’s sexual orientation or gender.”
In a discussion with PurpleHaze, Bryan talked about the impact of his fashion choices: “It became more and more evident that what I was doing on Instagram was helping so many that wanted to wear non-gender conforming clothing but were afraid to have their sexuality questioned.
“I get over 100 direct messages a day on my Instagram account and a large number of them are followers that have thanked me for the courage to go out wearing something regardless of what others may think. Others still have this fear, however.
“This needs to change and thus has become one of my goals to desexualise clothing. But then I’m also helping everyone (regardless of sexual orientation or gender) that we all should feel comfortable wearing what we want.”
Talking to Harper’s Bazaar Australia, Bryan opened up about his burgeoning influencer career.
“If I have the opportunity, why not try to make some money doing it?” Bryan said. “But I’m also having a lot of fun.
“If you’d told me I was going to do this 13 months ago, I would have just laughed and said, ‘No freakin’ way’.”
He added, “Someone sees me walking down the street, they ought to just say, ‘Oh that’s Mark and he’s just wearing a pair of shoes’, instead of, ‘That’s Mark, wearing a pair of women’s shoes’.
“When we get to the point where we don’t attach a gender reference to an article of clothing, then that’s where clothes become genderless.”
Bryan shared with Bored Panda his admiration for women who wear skirts and heels for the ‘power’ they exhibit.
“To me, clothes have no gender. I prefer skirts to dresses. Dresses don’t allow me to mix the genders. I prefer a ‘masculine’ look above the waist and a non-gendered look below the waist. It’s all about clothes having no gender.”
He concluded with enthusiasm about the vast fashion choices available.
