Queen for the Day is an art-activist photography project that aims to encourage people who identify as heterosexual men to explore their feminine traits through clothing and make-up.
The project aims to reduce violence against women and feminine people by encouraging men to express traits seen as feminine more openly, because research shows that rigid gender roles can increase aggression.
Conforming to traditional masculine norms has also been linked in research to poorer mental health and social isolation.
According to current biology, every human body has both male- and female-typical physiological traits
While most people's sex characteristics lean clearly towards either male or female, everyone has traits of both types from birth. Human bodies develop uniformly at first, and sex differences only emerge after the seventh week of pregnancy. Every body has the potential to develop in either a female- or male-typical direction regardless of chromosomes. We also share the same sex hormones.
In most languages, cultures and legal systems, the gender boundary has been drawn so absolutely that there has rarely been space — in the role of man or woman — to express traits associated with the opposite gender.
Men may often fear that women would not appreciate a man who openly displays feminine traits. Research shows, however, that women seeking both short- and long-term relationships most prefer a man who expresses both masculine and feminine traits, for example through hobbies. Men with predominantly feminine traits and interests are considered the second most attractive, and men who display no femininity at all are rated third.
Feminine traits are also an advantage in working life: research shows that men who are able to express traits seen as feminine outperform other men. A leadership style that emphasises empathy and supporting the team has also been found to increase job satisfaction.
Take part in the project:
You can participate by signing up to be photographed — send a message to info@tyrniluoto.fi.
The project is based in Tampere, Finland, but photo sessions can also be arranged in other locations.
I offer companies and communities the opportunity to sponsor the project's publications. For more information, contact me by email or phone +358-(0)41 502 3651.
Links and sources:
- Genitals develop uniformly at first and every body has the potential to develop in either a female- or male-typical direction: Sexual Differentiation — Rodolfo Rey, MD, PhD and Chrystèle Racine, PhD. National Library of Medicine
- Toxic masculinities and rigid gender stereotypes increase risk of violence against women – 'Voices of YOUth' research in the Western Balkans finds
- Slightly feminine men have better relationship prospects with women without losing short-term desirability
In collaboration with:
