Rip Curl receives criticism for using transgender woman in women’s surfing promotion
Surfing retailer Rip Curl has faced backlash from its followers and subsequently deleted social media posts featuring a transgender woman. The company, known for its swimwear and surf gear, had initially shared photos of Sasha Lowerson, a transgender surfer, on its social media platforms. However, after receiving criticism, the posts were taken down. Riley Gaines, a former athlete and advocate for women’s sports, was quick to comment on the situation, highlighting Rip Curl’s alleged disregard for women.
In addition to removing the posts featuring Lowerson, Rip Curl also deleted all content promoting a male surfer posing as a woman after parting ways with Bethany Hamilton. This move has raised questions about the company’s treatment of women. Despite disabling comments on its Instagram posts, Rip Curl’s Facebook and X accounts still allow for public feedback.
Lowerson, who identifies as female despite being biologically male, is an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a nonprofit organization that supports LGBTQ equality in sports. Lowerson has spoken out about the challenges faced by transgender athletes in terms of legislation and sports leadership. Despite these obstacles, Lowerson believes it is possible to be an openly trans athlete and advocate for what is right.
Rip Curl’s decision to feature Lowerson on its social media accounts followed its separation from Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who survived a shark attack in 2003. Hamilton publicly criticized the World Surf League’s adoption of the International Surfing Association’s transgender policy, stating that she would not compete as long as transgender athletes were allowed to participate.
This move by Rip Curl comes less than a year after Bud Light faced backlash for featuring transgender social media star Dylan Mulvaney in an advertisement. The negative response to the ad resulted in a noticeable decline in sales for the beer brand.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Rip Curl for comment on the situation.
How have Rip Curl’s actions, such as deleting the posts featuring Lowerson and parting ways with Bethany Hamilton, raised concerns about the company’s stance on gender equality?
Rip Curl, a popular surfing retailer known for its swimwear and surf gear, has found itself facing backlash from its followers after featuring a transgender woman, Sasha Lowerson, on its social media platforms. In response to the criticism received, the company swiftly deleted the posts featuring Lowerson. This decision has not only raised questions about Rip Curl’s treatment of women but has also sparked a conversation about transgender inclusion in sports.
Riley Gaines, a former athlete and advocate for women’s sports, was quick to comment on the situation, pointing out Rip Curl’s alleged disregard for women. The company’s decision to remove the posts featuring Lowerson and a male surfer posing as a woman after parting ways with Bethany Hamilton, a well-known surfer who survived a shark attack in 2003, has fueled concerns about its stance on gender equality.
Despite disabling comments on Instagram, Rip Curl’s Facebook and other social media accounts still permit public feedback, allowing individuals to express their opinions on the matter. This indicates that the company is not immune to the consequences of its actions and may face further scrutiny from its followers.
Lowerson, who identifies as female despite being biologically male, is an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a nonprofit organization that supports LGBTQ equality in sports. She has been vocal about the challenges faced by transgender athletes in terms of legislation and sports leadership. Despite these obstacles, Lowerson firmly believes in the possibility of being an openly trans athlete and advocating for what is right.
Rip Curl’s decision to feature Lowerson on its social media accounts comes after its split from Bethany Hamilton, who publicly criticized the World Surf League’s adoption of the International Surfing Association’s transgender policy. Hamilton announced that she would not compete as long as transgender athletes were allowed to participate. This development further highlights the ongoing debate surrounding transgender inclusion in sports and the varying perspectives within the surfing community.
Interestingly, this incident is reminiscent of Bud Light’s experience less than a year ago when they faced backlash for featuring transgender social media star Dylan Mulvaney in an advertisement. The negative response to the ad had a significant impact on the beer brand’s sales.
In light of these events, The Washington Examiner reached out to Rip Curl for comment on the situation. It remains to be seen how the company will respond and what actions it will take to address the concerns raised by its followers and advocates for gender equality in sports.
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