The 2022 documentary about gender and trans issues presented by conservative shock jock Matt Walsh became one of the most-watched films on the internet after Elon Musk promoted it on X. While transphobic in its orientation and message, the film proved the impossibility of a singular definition of womanhood.

What is a Woman?

Homoerotic stories about men or male beings falling in love, written almost exclusively by and for straight women, are the most popular genre of fiction in China. Offering an escape from daily life, danmei provides a kind of feminist-utopian pornographic fantasy that helps women explore their hidden desires.

Danmei fiction 

When the male head of the Spanish football association was forced to resign as a result of a forced kiss – which took place in front of a packed stadium and global TV audience – it ignited an international debate about the sexual harassment and coercion women face in and outside of sports.

#MeToo lives on

A new crop of online influencers is promoting not just 1950s homemaking skills but also submission to their husbands, never working outside the home, resistance to feminism, and – in some cases – extreme conservative politics. Yet the trad wife aesthetic also often includes surprisingly earnest criticisms of life under capitalism.

Trad wives La La Land

Responding to the persistence of normative gender roles, economic recession pressures, and the hellscape of dating apps, a growing number of men and women believe that heterosexual relationships are inherently flawed and unequal, and that these differences make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to form healthy and fulfilling bonds.  

The rise of ‘heteropessimism’

While testosterone replacement therapy is commonly used by cis men, post-menopausal women, and trans men in transition, an increasing number of non-binary and gender-fluid individuals are microdosing the hormone to gradually experiment with their bodies and improve their mental health.

Microdosing testosterone

A growing number of young women and girls identify as sex-negative feminists, openly criticising things like porn, hookup culture, and the objectification and exploitation of female sexuality in popular culture, even when its key figures are deemed progressive and empowering, such as Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B.

Sex-negative feminism among Gen Z women 

Luca Guadagnino’s romantic drama Queer, starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey, boldly explores homoerotic desire and longing. The film is part of a growing trend of sexually explicit queer content that’s appealing to mainstream viewers and challenging established audience expectations.

‘Queer’ spotlights rise of carnal gay narratives 

In the wake of the US presidential election, interest has surged in the South Korean 4B movement – a feminist commitment that rejects interactions with men. Amid growing concern around the precarity of reproductive freedoms in America, advocates are urging radical action to preserve their rights.

US interest in the 4B movement spikes post-election

Amid a birth rate crisis driven by economic strain, China has launched a 'marriage school' in Changsha promoting parenting. However, it's faced backlash for pushing outdated gender roles, which, together with high parenting costs, are leading many women to shun marriage and pursue child-free lives.

Backlash to Chinese marriage expo sparks gender debate

Hollywood films like Babygirl, A Family Affair, and The Idea of You center on intergenerational relationships between middle-aged women and younger men. They show the potential for original, raw, and nuanced media narratives that challenge traditional norms and examine female sexual agency.

Glossy age-gap romances spotlight female midlife desire 

BBC mini-series Mr Loverman explores a hidden decades-long gay relationship within the Windrush generation. It challenges typical narratives about Caribbean immigrants in post-war Britain, contributing to a growing trend of more nuanced, authentic portrayals of Black experiences in the media.

‘Mr Loverman’ expands British Black narratives  

The case surrounding Gisèle Pelicot, a woman drugged and abused by numerous men with her husband's complicity, has drawn widespread attention and condemnation in France. The media coverage and public conversation are challenging cultural norms and perceptions around sexual assault and consent.

Mass trial spotlights French attitudes to sexual abuse

Indian beauty brand Sugar Cosmetics has launched a campaign that showcases beauty rituals as a form of empowerment. It’s going one step further than the ‘girlboss’ narrative in Indian advertising, highlighting how women’s identities are fluid and can exist outside of the family-work dichotomy.

Sugar Cosmetics embraces femininity as power in India

Male action stars and superhero narratives are evolving, challenged by societal crises and shifting ideas of masculinity. How can directors and producers craft compelling stories for film and television about male heroes that appeal to audiences’ increasingly nuanced tastes?

How the superhero genre is subverting masculinity

Want to understand shifting masculine hero narratives? Struggling to get a grip on how to talk about and depict ‘maleness’? Explore our Deep Dive on masculine archetypes in 2024.

2024 Deep Dive on Masculinity 

The Victorian state government is updating its respectful relationships programme to address toxic masculinity in schools. Brands and governments face the challenge of promoting healthier masculinities without alienating audiences to which they are trying to teach in the process.

Government in Victoria seeks to combat toxic masculinity

Dudu Bertholini uses fashion as a medium to challenge social expectations around gender and identity in Brazil. As a public non-binary figure, Bertholini's dedication to inclusive representation has cemented their status as a cultural tastemaker who sheds light on important societal issues.

How Dudu Bertholini gives a voice to Brazil’s LGBTQIA+ community

Pharmaceutical companies have turned their attention to male contraception with a number of products, including gels and implants, currently in trials. Demand for male contraception is projected to grow, but brands will still be expected to stay focused on supporting bodily autonomy for all.

Male contraception edges toward retail reality

The novelty of online dating appears to have peaked, with disillusioned singles turning to alternatives like run clubs, speed dating, and game nights. In Australia, young singles are prioritising mental health and personal values, signs of a broader shift in how they are approaching settling down.

Swiped-out Aussies seek alternatives to online dating

Social search engine Diem is designed to empower women and nonbinary people by bridging the gender information and disinformation gap. Combining AI-driven insights with community-driven conversations, Diem is creating a trusted, personalized space for candid, essential discussions.

How Diem closes the gender information gap via community

Gender-neutral garments are emerging in Asia-Pacific. In Japan, specifically, intimate-wear brand Peach John has initiated collaborations with companies to foster inclusive fashion, eliminate gender envy, and transcend body types, without forgoing aesthetics and functionality.

How Peach John makes lingerie inclusive for Japanese women

Actor Will Ferrell has joined forces with his transgender friend Harper Steele for a documentary centering on Steele’s experience as a trans woman in America. As trans rights continue to be called into question in the US and globally, education remains key to stopping growing prejudice in its tracks.

Will & Harper explores the trans American experience

In Chengdu, all-women electrician classes are oversubscribed as Chinese women seek to enter the male-dominated electrical trade and learn practical skills for independent living. Women are redefining their role in the workforce, reflecting desires to dissolve outdated gender stereotypes.

38 Fix helps Chinese women break into electrical trade

Sexual health company Bold Care has launched Sextember, a month-long campaign to spotlight men’s sexual wellness in India. Young people are dispelling the shame around such topics, and they’re gravitating towards more progressive brands that can help them live out fulfilling sex lives.

Bold Care helps Indian men normalise sexual wellbeing

A group of Brooklyn mothers have forged a supportive network at the local skate park, taking a more inclusive approach to the sport. Born of desires to escape responsibility and build community, the grassroots group represents a wider movement to redefine the cultural narrative around motherhood.

Skateboarding offers community for New York moms

Balmain is making its mark in the prestige beauty space with its first perfume collection. As fragrances become the new expression of the lipstick effect, the brand is changing up the luxury beauty launch by side-stepping cosmetics and diving headlong into the world of perfume first.

Balmain’s beauty debut capitalises on fragrance boom

The UK government has announced plans to treat misogyny as extremism. The rise of anti-feminist and misogynistic content online has become a worrying global trend, highlighting the need to challenge misogynistic viewpoints and counter extremism against women in online communities.

UK government commits to treating misogyny as extremism

Two Texas women who were denied abortions for life-threatening ectopic pregnancies have filed a complaint demanding a federal investigation. Restrictions on women’s bodily autonomy are having serious health and social consequences, as many struggle to navigate the barriers imposed by governments.

New legal environment growing around US abortion access

In 2024, Australians will navigate the balance between their deeply held values and economic realities. While their decisions mirror their desire for societal change, the cost of living crisis has shifted priorities. How do these dual realities shape people’s lives and decisions amid trying times?

A Cultural Snapshot of Australia: 2024

Sexual wellness and health have become intrinsic to self-care, and no one believes this more than Gen Z. Yet the current sex tech market is dominated by cis-het men, leaving the sapphic sex toy sector seriously lacking – but lesbian-led Ma Joie is innovating in a bid to shake things up.

Why Ma Joie is innovating in the sexual wellness space

For its soft representation of gay dating, Netflix’s The Boyfriend took the world by storm. Its nuanced layers of representation – from championing alternative lifestyles to reimagining the dating scene in Japan – easily enamoured not just the Japanese public but singles across the globe.

How The Boyfriend gently breaks barriers for Japan’s gay men

As more Chinese women advance in their careers, many are splurging on themselves. More than just shopping, these purchases are forms of self-care and self-discovery. In 2024, a ‘she-economy’ is rising in the country, with brands specifically targeting women and their new wants and needs.

Exploring China’s surging she-economy

Netflix's unexpected reality hit, The Boyfriend, chronicles a heartfelt journey of love and friendship among a group of Japanese gay and bisexual men. Blending elements of the BL genre and showcasing a diverse cast, the show challenges Japanese cultural norms and captivates global female audiences.

'The Boyfriend' celebrates wholesome queer love in Japan

Women's sports are growing in popularity, giving rise to new fandoms and a desire for mainstream sports spaces that cater to the needs of a new cohort of women's sports fans. 'Watch Me!' Sports Bar is one of the few places in the US that focuses specifically on the needs of women sports fans.

'Watch Me!' Women's sports bar appeals to growing fandom

Caitlin Clark's meteoric rise in women's basketball is reshaping sports stardom. Her authentic approach and cross-industry appeal are challenging traditional narratives around fandom – influencing brand partnerships, and reflecting shifting audience values, particularly among young Americans.

How Caitlin Clark marries basketball with youth culture

Kayla Itsines, the ultimate Aussie gymfluencer, tackles the gender exercise gap in the fitness industry and makes a healthy lifestyle accessible for all women. But what factors have contributed to Itsines’ meteoric rise, and how has she managed to sustain herself in the fickle world of social media?

How Kayla Itsines bridges the gender gap in Aussie fitness

Bangalore’s annual Gender Bender festival is back for its tenth year. A celebration of identities across the gender spectrum, the festival acts as a platform for India’s gender non-conforming creatives and provides a safe space of solidarity and empowerment for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Gender Bender fest celebrates gender diversity in India

Teen boys are embracing perms, adding texture and volume for a 'broccoli haircut' look. Initially met with skepticism and humor online, the trend has gained acceptance, reflecting a shift in masculinity norms by allowing boys to explore new hairstyles and self-expression.

Gen Z boys are embracing 'broccoli haircuts' 

Gen Zers are often at the forefront of micro-trends heralding new archetypes of masculinity, from ‘hot rodent men’ to ‘golden retriever boyfriends’. But how are Gen Z men navigating the tricky terrain of shifting masculinity in an increasingly polarized and atomized society?

How are young American men redefining masculinity? 

Do people value creativity over convenience in their homes? How are older generations redefining care and retirement? In what ways is the shift in modern masculinity impacting relationships? Where is the perfect balance between social connections in the online world and IRL?

Home and Relationships Sector Snapshot: July 2024

While Sephora teens – predominantly young girls – have been taking over online conversations around skincare and beauty, teenage boys are increasingly developing their own regimens. This new interest is part of broader shifts in notions of masculinity that are set to transform the beauty market.

Teen boys are making investments into beauty regimes 

American singer and songwriter Chappell Roan has become one of 2024’s biggest breakout artists following her recent hit “Good Luck, Babe,” which has captured the spotlight. Her playful approach to identity and authentic lyrics have made her particularly popular among Gen Zers.

How Chappell Roan reflects Gen Z’s playful identities

Amid economic and societal pressures in Japan, more and more people are choosing not to get married. Many also work as ‘nonregular workers’ and like being alone. What does the future of dating and relationships look like in Japan, and what can brands learn from these shifting preferences?

Why Japanese people are choosing to stay single

Jinro Soju, locally known as Chamisul, is one of the only manufacturers that adopted a softer branding image instead of a masculine one as it taps into the female market. How is it maintaining its status as the world’s most popular spirit brand amid falling alcohol drinking rates in South Korea?

Why Jinro Soju toasts the softer drinking habits of Koreans

A new campaign by the government in Victoria, Australia, is encouraging people to confront their biases, raising awareness of how discrimination impacts the wellbeing of trans and gender-diverse people. This follows rising anti-transgender sentiment, acknowledging the desperate need for action.

Campaign tackles trans and gender-diverse discrimination

Hulu dramedy The Bear spotlights the sounds and images of kitchen life, but its secret ingredient is potent social commentary. It dismantles toxic masculinity stereotypes, exposes the restaurant world's pressure cooker, and sparks conversations about worker wellbeing and different cuisines.

How The Bear rethinks modern TV through culinary chaos

Indian jewellery retail chain Senco Gold has launched its Pride campaign in collaboration with LGBTQ+ actor Sushant Divgikar. With brands shying away from open displays of support for Pride, those that continue to pledge their support may appeal to audiences who value consistent brand action.

Senco Gold celebrates queer Indians with Pride anthem

While online dating is now a well-established way of finding partners, heterosexual men are struggling with the gamified nature of apps and the narrow vision of masculinity they perpetuate. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Treena Orchard about how brands can champion more beneficial dating experiences for men.

Treena Orchard on masculinity and online dating

Chicago-based retailer Tie Bar is launching a limited-edition collection of neckties and accessories in partnership with British fashion staple Laura Ashley. The collaboration points to the latter's growing resurgence as a heritage brand and demonstrates shifting perceptions of masculinity.

Laura Ashley x Tie Bar showcases shifting masculinity

Miu Miu has taken over newsstands worldwide to celebrate the work of three seminal female authors. Fashion plays a central role in how Gen Zers express their identities, and as the BookTok boom shows, literature has also become performative. Miu Miu's combo taps into the Gen Z's expressive desires.

Miu Miu Summer Reads project distributes feminist texts

As sex-positive TV becomes more popular, a new sub-genre is resonating with a growing number of queer Thai women seeking more authentic representation and normalisation of queerness in media. Girls’ Love shows explore the relationship between two women, making a case for queer-based Asian cinema.

Why Thailand is championing Girls’ Love series

The beauty market is growing more diverse with the rise of gender-neutral products, subsequently changing how Gen Z and Y men perceive and purchase a range of cosmetics. How is this shift impacting the ways they collect and use fragrances specifically? And what kinds of scents attract them?

How Gen Z and Y men are approaching scent in 2024

Data from Airbnb reveals that Gen Z is driving an uptick in queer travel – with a 300% surge in bookings by the young cohort. There is an opportunity for brands to meet the diverse needs and interests of the LGBTQ+ community by looking beyond rainbow washing and catering to their diverse needs.

Gen Zers drive an international queer travel spike

Acknowledging the higher rates of road accidents caused by men than women, a French road safety campaign is encouraging the former to 'drive like a woman'. But as modern masculinity is experiencing an evolution, reverting to gender stereotypes may be less effective than showcasing role models.

French men are urged to 'drive like a woman' to be safer

Former American professional basketball player and father of a transgender daughter, Dwayne Wade, has launched Translatable, an online community dedicated to supporting transgender youth. The platform signals the need for a greater understanding of transgender experiences, particularly among adults.

Dwyane Wade creates transgender education community

Elon Musk has officially made ‘cisgender’ a slur on X, contributing to several changes to the platform that have made it an unsafe environment for transgender users. As prejudice against the trans community grows in the real world, a lack of digital safety only heightens anti-trans rhetoric.

Elon Musk officially makes 'cisgender' a slur on X

Sports melodramas like 2024's The Iron Claw, Creed III, and Ferrari examine and critique toxic masculinity narratives, offering audiences a more nuanced perspective on male competitiveness and its emotional toll. Films and TV are increasingly challenging the idea of the invincible, hyper-masculine hero.

'Boy melodrama' films deconstruct toxic masculinity 

Female representation and participation in combat sports is increasing, but amid ongoing gender-based discrimination within these environments, how can brands and organisations push towards equality? And how are women and girls engaging with physical sports for empowerment?

Mapping gender-based shifts in combat sports

Male nannies are gaining popularity, marking a positive shift in caregiving dynamics and providing valuable role models for children. However, they often confront harmful stereotypes perpetuated by both toxic influencers and traditional societal norms about masculinity.

Male nannies are being hired as positive role models

Long before the ‘hot girl’ movement propelled reading into the mainstream consciousness, China was already a country filled with bibliophiles. Today, its bookstores are fulfilling a new role, serving as community hubs and brand opportunities to strengthen customer loyalty.

How China’s bookstores are evolving experiential retail

Dove Chocolate is helping mothers return to work with the launch of its AI tool, the ‘Mom Experience Translator’. Aiming to bridge the gap between motherhood and career skills, the move speaks to changing attitudes to gender and expectations of brands to do better to address them.

AI tool helps bridge the motherhood career gap

‘Barstool conservative bros’ and their adjacent media are challenging existing right-wing cultural narratives. What should brands know about this heterodox group that many see as the future of the Republican Party? And how might intra-conservative conflict impact American consumer culture?

Who are the Barstool conservatives?

The release of Netflix's animated series Blue Eye Samurai has sparked a global interest in the intersection of Japan's history and culture with a story of blood, revenge, and violence. Its strategic marketing efforts pulled non-viewers of animation and Asian women looking for cathartic media.

How Blue Eye Samurai reanimates a rage for Japan’s history

Masc – short for ‘masculine’ – fashion is on the rise in France, with luxury designers and vintage resale platforms tapping into genderless designs and tailoring while ripping up fashion’s old rulebook. How can brands design items and lines across gender divides to be worn by all genders?

How are French women repurposing masc fashion?

The Netflix series Baby Reindeer has captivated global audiences with its compelling portrayal of male experiences of sexual violence. The show’s success underlines the power of pop culture to challenge dominant beliefs about masculinity and facilitate deeper cultural conversations about rape.


Baby Reindeer highlights male sexual victimisation

Japan is facing a population crisis, primarily stemming from challenges within its dating scene. With marriages and romance growing out of fashion locally, Pairs jumps in to reignite love’s flames by creating a safe space for serious relationships to develop and empowering women.

Why Pairs lets women reignite Japan's dating scene

The smash-hit romantic drama Challengers has animated audiences by sparking cultural conversations about sexiness, polyamory, and modern love. With young people increasingly turning to alternative relationship ideals, brands have the opportunity to cater to more diverse models of romantic bonds.

Challengers spotlights polyamory narratives 

South Koreans are struggling to balance age-old beliefs and values as new ones emerge due to technological advancements and the material demands of a modern capitalist society. How is this affecting their dating lives, and what can brands do to align themselves with these new shifts in values?

What does dating look like in South Korea today?

How is Japan’s shrinking, ageing population impacting locals’ decisions? Are government efforts to regulate work hours actually leading to shifts in Japan’s notoriously overworked society? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats to explore the behavioural norms shared by people in Japan in 2024.

A Cultural Snapshot of Japan: 2024

Athletics has created a bold brand for Alba Hurup Larsen, highlighting her individuality in motorsport racing and her connection to the sport’s history. Alba’s branding reflects a broader trend of women embracing their endurance and extreme sports and redefining what ‘girls' workouts’ look like.




Alba's branding by Athletics celebrates women in sports

A US bar devoted to showcasing and celebrating women's sports has revealed its intentions to expand and franchise the establishment. While sports bars play a vital role in connecting fans, they frequently cater to men's sports, presenting an opportunity to explore avenues for inclusive sports viewing.

Oregon women's sports bar plans expansion

Apple TV's documentary Girls State delves into the experiences of ethnically and ideologically diverse teenage girls participating in a week-long immersive program in Missouri. Media brands have the opportunity to innovate with Gen Z girls' political, social, and emotional empowerment.

‘Girls State’ spotlights Gen Z girls’ political power

Portraying herself as the all-American E-girl next door, June Lapine aka Shoe is disrupting existing narratives about LeftTube, gender, pop culture, and expected progressive positions. What can brands learn from her idiosyncratic content to authentically engage younger audiences?

Why Shoe’s 'bimbo populism' engages diverse fan bases

The buzzy streaming adoption of Patricia Highsmith's classic novel The Talented Mr. Ripley centres on a sexually ambiguous protagonist and his crimes. As LGBTQ+ representation broadens, audiences are increasingly drawn to pop cultural narratives that explore class and sexual transgressions.

Ripley spotlights queer anti-hero narratives

To mark its 100th anniversary, Unilever's LUX has joined forces with VML Singapore to create 100 new, empowering names for Chinese women. Drawing attention to the harmful impact of names with outdated and even sexist meanings, the brand joins an effort to rework attitudes to gender and femininity.

Campaign highlights the damaging impact of sexist names 

In the UK, teenage girls can feel unwelcome and unsafe in parks largely designed for boys. Make Space For Girls is a charity campaigning for parks and public spaces to be designed gender-inclusively, raising awareness of issues while ensuring the voices of girls and young women are heard.

How Make Space For Girls prioritises teen girls’ safety

With Australian society having a hot-and-cold relationship with sexuality, The Hook Up podcast dares to discuss elements of modern romance and sex as it is truly experienced by Australian Gen Zers and the growing LGBTQ+ community in the country looking for a safe digital space.

Why The Hook Up unfilters sex talk for Aussie Gen Z

GagaOOLala, Asia’s pioneering LGBTQ+ streaming service, aims to spotlight queer stories in mainstream media. The platform mirrors a surge in demand for queer content and the progress of the community’s rights in Asia, catering to a group that had little to no media attention up until recently.

Why GagaOOLala uncensors the stories of queer Asians

Economic challenges, marketing saturation, changing relationship patterns, and the move towards digital interaction have diminished the vibrancy and engagement usually associated with Valentine’s Day and White Day – one example of Korean and Japanese people’s fatigue surrounding ‘Day’ marketing.

Does the decline of White Day prove people are getting tired of ‘Day’ marketing?

American music icon Willie Nelson teamed up with young queer singer Orville Peck for the gay country duet 'Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other'. Artists, brands, and content creators are increasingly subverting heteronormative narratives of traditional Americana.

Country legend Willie Nelson celebrates cowboy queer love

Responding to long-running fan demand, ABC firefighter drama 9-1-1 has introduced a bisexual storyline. Once hidden away in corners of the internet,  brands are increasingly inspired by the creativity of fan fiction to create bold, nuanced, and unapologetically queer narratives.

9-1-1 queer romance spotlights engaged fandom

By defiantly rejecting social expectations and aesthetic labels, American Gen Z women are rewriting the fashion rulebook, torn between upholding and subverting feminine styles. Canvas8 spoke to six of them about their sartorial choices, gender politics, and the changing nature of femininity.

The future of American femininity in a post-Barbie world

After 2023’s year of fervent girlcore, it's clear that femininity is crucial to how Gen Zers express themselves. Canvas8 spoke to eight Gen Z women from across the UK to discover how their perceptions of femininity and gender politics shape their fashion and style choices.

The future of British femininity in a post-Barbie world

Boys’ Love media usually features fresh-faced male characters encountering slightly varied struggles. Heaven Official’s Blessing smartly subverts these tropes, placing a queer couple in a distinctly traditional Chinese context and putting their character development at the centre of the story.

Why Heaven Official’s Blessing rewrites Asian boys' romance

Social media can be a powerful tool for social change, but it's also a repository for many harmful ideas about what masculinity should look like. Danny Dyer’s How to Be a Man hosts conversations about changing notions of masculinity that social media has struggled to make space for.

Danny Dyer uses TV to advocate for modern masculinity

Conservative media and wellness personalities are calling for young men to turn to nicotine pouches, framing them as aspirational lifestyle products that amplify traditional masculinity. This highlights the febrile position of masculinity in culture and opportunities to support open dialogues.




Right-wing media touts nicotine pouches as 'manly' fix

Black progressive cultural commentator F.D Signifier is one of the most prolific Gen Y content creators. Focusing on politics, pop culture, and Black men’s wellbeing, he challenges traditional narratives and dismantles harmful gender stereotypes through his engaging video essays.




F.D Signifier spotlights Black masculinity perspectives 

The ‘Patron Saint of Situationships’ returns! Following the success of her single, ‘B.A.D,’ Filipina R&B artist Denise Julia has released ‘Sugar n Spice,’ a feel-good track embracing same-gender attraction, which resonates deeply with listeners seeking representation and authenticity.

How Denise Julia revives Filipino R&B for global listeners

Come for explicit photos of celebrity crushes, stay for the community. From an Instagram page to organising physical exhibits, Y2K Kabaklaan’s intentions are simple – to usher in a safe space for pent-up gay desires and to document an unforgettable epoch in Filipino pop culture.

Why Y2K Kabaklaan archives Filipino queer desires

Beauty brand Sally Hansen has unveiled its first-ever male-led partnership with basketball player Jared McCain. As expectations of masculinity continue to shift, brands can partner with male athletes and icons who can champion new and inclusive archetypes of masculinity.

Sally Hansen's beauty campaign champions male icon

Popular internet personalities like Andrew Tate are having an impact in Australian schools, as teachers report struggling with students who watch his videos. The government has launched a project that works to address misinformation online around gender-based stereotypes and violence.

Aussie teachers struggle with Andrew Tate’s influence 

Period product brand Nana is using Dubai Fashion Week to tackle period taboos in the Middle East. Featuring transparent handbags, or ‘Taboo Totes’, with Nana products visible inside, the campaign draws attention to and aims to disrupt the harmful effects of persistent menstrual taboos.

Nana tackles period stigma with transparent bags

Girls’ wrestling has become the fastest-growing high school sport in the US, driven by a significant increase in the number of states that now have women-only wrestling teams. As Gen Z continues to defy traditional gender roles, many young people feel empowered to try new things.

Girls' wrestling increases in popularity in the US

No country anywhere in the world offers women the same career opportunities as men, according to a new report from the World Bank, which accounts for the impact of childcare on the labour market. Women are looking for employers to acknowledge and account for gender-specific issues in the workplace.

World Bank report signals need for more maternity leave

As beacons of queer excellence, Drag Race spin-offs in Asia have brought a wave of inclusivity to screens and stages. The series bites into the appetites of millions of underrepresented members of the LGBTQ+ community and more as it just keeps getting bigger, more popular, and better.

Why Drag Race sashayed into Asia with queer excellence

REI Co-op's spring collection isn't divided by gender. The new Active Pursuits range is genderless, with more options available for color, height, and width across the offerings – designed to give everyone their own choice of what feels comfortable, no matter their body shape.

REI blends functionality with genderless fashion

In honour of Women’s History Month, Wolverine Boots launched a campaign to reaffirm its long-standing commitment to challenging gender norms. By harnessing its history of supporting women in skilled trade, the brand has acquired a credibility that strengthens consumer trust.




Wolverine leverages its history to support women

Drag Den features the Philippine drag scene by being a drag reality show for Filipinos by Filipinos, demystifying the country’s queer culture and its roots. Promising authentic queer content made accessible to the mainstream, it treads both TikTok virality and global streaming.

How Drag Den models the unfiltered joy of Filipino queer politics

Men are ready to express themselves through beauty – and Obayaty is here to provide the tools to just do that. The new-gen brand is pushing aside basic skincare products and is filling a gap in the market for practical-meets-playful make-up that gives those who identify as male a creative outlet.

Why Obayaty adds personal color to masculine beauty

The market for engagement rings for men is booming as people look to more expansive models of masculinity. This trend speaks to a wider challenge to the traditionally gendered roles assigned within heterosexual partnerships, as well as eroding expectations of rigidly masculine style choices.

The sales of men-focused engagement rings are booming

Lifecycle

People are interrogating the meaning of gender in a polarised society