College kids are competing to be the ultimate “performative male.” Back in August, YPulse reported that “performative matcha-drinking males” were trending on TikTok. And now that school’s back in session, college kids across the U.S. are hosting “performative male” costume contests. The half-ironic trend spotlights guys who adopt women’s or queer people’s interests just for approval, signaled with tote bags, wired earbuds, Jane Austen novels, and matcha lattes to win laughs. Students at schools like Temple, UNC, Penn, William & Mary, Wisconsin, and UCF have already staged competitions, drawing big crowds and plenty of memes. Some are even using the events to raise money and uplift causes like menstrual advocacy, women’s shelters, or creating safe queer community spaces. As one student put it, it’s not just mocking “fake wokeness”—it’s about “recognizing that women want to be seen and respected.” (The Hill)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Performative Males on The Viral List
