On Friday, August 1, the “performative male” was celebrated with a special look-alike style competition in Cal Anderson Park. Hundreds came out to poke light fun at the trending cultural phenomenon that has taken over Seattle’s streets.
The Seattle Performative Male Competition began much like similar community-led celebrity look-alike contests that took over the internet in New York during the summer of 2024 and continued throughout the year. Flyers and internet posts encouraged attendance, and Capitol Hill did not disappoint.
Beginning at 7 p.m., contestants paraded in front of a large crowd, who were tasked with judging them. Those deemed “performative” enough were met with cheers, while some, unfortunately dripping in earnestness, were booed away.
If you’re wondering what makes a person a “performative male,” according to the audience, this is someone who reads feminist literature but retains nothing, gaslights romantic partners with “therapy-speak,” and often dresses in a manner expressing diminishing masculinity, usually with long or fluffy hair and painted nails, and almost always accessorized with a Labubu, a mason jar of matcha, and an extra Dubai chocolate to share.
The trend began on the internet, when women started to recognize an emerging pattern among men in their twenties and thirties. Sometimes described as the “pick-me boy,” these people tend to embrace a liberal aesthetic to assure others that they are the exception to the rule of the patriarchy. Unfortunately, many who have adopted it continue to feed the patriarchy and mistreat partners, hence the term “performative.”
For some, like Kiril Barazuke, the competition bordered on appropriation.
“I don’t like the word ‘performative.’ This is my everyday. This is my culture,” Barazuke told the SGN. “And my culture is not their costume. I don’t appreciate the vibe they bring. I’m here to make everyone feel safe and seen.”
Barazuke’s outfit consisted of a simple, fitted white T-shirt; baggy jeans with a Labubu clipped to the buckle; and the must-have tote bag. During our interview, he pulled a book out of the tote. “The Fault in Our Stars. A beautiful classic,” he said. “I think everyone should read it if they haven’t already, but I think everyone has.”
Before parting, Barazuke also provided a music recommendation. “A tie between Clairo and Leave — you gotta make sure you pronounce it right,” he said. “I’m listening to ‘Forever’ by Clairo on my iPod Nano third-generation with my wired earbuds.”
While many came to the park to chuckle at the phenomenon of the performative male, some realized the trend hits a little too close to home — especially in the Pacific Northwest. “I thought I was going to say something critical,” Langston, another participant, told the SGN. “Then I pulled all this stuff out of my closet, and I was like, ‘Wow, I am one, I guess.’”
Langston’s outfit included unnecessary sunglasses, a gold chain, a band T-shirt, and of course, the tote bag. Langston said he is also listening to Leave on repeat but also throws in some Beabedoobe.
Other contestants, like Kshitij Rao, admitted that, despite his love of feminist Queer indie music, the corded headphones around his neck are often just for show. “I’m actually not listening to anything. They’re not even plugged into my phone. It’s just for the fit, you know?” Rao said.
Rao wanted to set the record straight, however: despite the misleading earbuds, he has very real and strong beliefs when it comes to culture. “Feminism is awesome. I’m a feminist myself. Everyone should be a feminist,” he said with confidence. And as for the LGBTQ+ community? “I identify as an ally for sure.”
Of course, performative males run rampant throughout the Queer community. While there were several Bisexual and Gay performative males in the competition, the lineup also featured performative Trans men, performative Nonbinary people, and several women dressed as performative men.
The competition was so successful that advertisements have already begun circulating for the next one: The Performative Lesbian Look-Alike Contest.
After five rounds of voting, the ultimate performative male was crowned. Marcus Jernigan, local musician and one half of the indie band Good Enough, was awarded the ultimate prize: a brand-new Labubu from Pop Mart. Jernigan’s outfit encompassed everything needed to be the ultimate performative male: a white thrifted T-shirt, baggy light-wash jeans, a tote bag with a Labubu, a pick in his hair, and of course, a blue portable record player.
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