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No one defines Ali Gul Pir's masculinity or decides what clothes he wears but him

No one defines Ali Gul Pir's masculinity or decides what clothes he wears but him

Newsflash: he's not asking for anyone's opinion. This message was recently made loud and clear.
Updated 13 Oct, 2021

Comedian Ali Gul Pir's recent post on social media was quite different from his usual light-hearted content — it was a serious message directed at those who have no qualms about making toxic comments about people.

It all started when the Karachi-based comedian posted an image on Instagram in which he's dressed up as American actor Lili Reinhart from this year's Met Gala — albeit in a funny way that makes good use of loofahs.

What seems like innocent comic relief didn't come across as so for many of his followers. "You look really bad," commented one Instagram user. "Men don't look good wearing girls' clothing or doing their fashion." An opinion we strongly disagree with — who are we to dictate what people should wear?

Gul Pir didn't like it much either. The comedian posing in a pink dress shouldn't become a cause for concern and he made that clear. "I will wear what I want to, make want I want to and say what I want to," he wrote on Twitter. "Nobody will define my masculinity or dictate my creativity. Don’t hate me because I make you feel insecure."

The comedian isn't the only celebrity who's taken a stand against toxic masculine standards for Pakistani men. In July, actor Adnan Malik spoke about the issue on The Coffee Table on Indus News. "When we come into this world, it is all very instant," said Malik. "Boys like blue, girls like pink. Boys need to play with boys. Men are not supposed to be sensitive. It starts at a very early age at school where an older person bullies you for being sensitive and that's where the process starts and it kind of persists throughout your life," he said.

It's high time society lets men be as they wish to be, whether that means being vulnerable, being emotionally expressive or wearing pink or 'effeminate' clothes (whatever that means anyway). We're glad Gul Pir has thick skin and doesn't let the trolling get to him, but that isn't the case for everyone. Toxic masculinity feels claustrophobic for many boys and men and has adverse affects on their health, both mental and physical.

The world is moving on and we need to throw away toxic notions of masculinity to move along with it. Let people wear and do what they want and we'll all probably be much, much happier.

Comments

Jo Oct 13, 2021 01:55pm
Non binary queer expression in Pakistan.
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Jap Oct 13, 2021 02:14pm
Cross-dressing is not equivalent to challenging the 'toxic' bits of masculinity. This is what happens when the moral compass of an individual/society is perverted by Western influences.
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ST Oct 13, 2021 02:18pm
He is indeed funny.
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Haider Oct 13, 2021 02:22pm
I think if he's not interested in our opinion then kindly don't promote such things on media. Sad how blindly we follow the west.
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Ch. S Oct 13, 2021 02:23pm
I thought it was funny. And I am very conservative.
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Cye Oct 13, 2021 02:33pm
Buddy, Not a good example for youngsters. Be a role model.
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Chrís Dăn Oct 13, 2021 02:49pm
People in Pakistan have lost all sense of humour alongwith feelings of tolerance.
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Raja Rentals Oct 13, 2021 02:54pm
Seems like its crime to be a man in this generation.
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Fastrack Oct 13, 2021 03:05pm
That's enough. If you can't handle criticism, stop parading and sending pictures.
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the MIRROR Oct 13, 2021 03:11pm
Sane people must not tolerate this illogical use of freedom of expression. This absurd mentality and its followers must be condemned to the highest level. These are mentally sick people who must seek doctor's advise. If we tolerate this inhumane behavior than we are an equal culprit in this whole narrative.
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Faisal Oct 13, 2021 03:14pm
@Fastrack I think he handled it pretty well. Not sure what your point is.
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Nasir Oct 13, 2021 03:29pm
Certainly you are not allowed what do you want to do you will do and what you want to say you will say. You are bound to act religiously, ethically , socially and by relationship to follow the certain rules. codes and principles and boundaries. You are looking absurd not a joker.
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TZaman Oct 13, 2021 03:43pm
No issue. Let him wear what he likes. It is his freedoms m.
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Talha Oct 13, 2021 03:44pm
Besides a few bad rap songs, I don't know honestly what AGP has done. And yes, this is indeed in poor taste.
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Arshad Oct 13, 2021 03:47pm
Then why such and cry over aurat March? Why has anyone to say anything what a woman wears.
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M. Saeed Oct 13, 2021 04:18pm
Ali Gul Pir is rather repulsive than funny in this attire.
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Ali Oct 13, 2021 04:47pm
I found that quite funny tho.
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NYS Oct 13, 2021 05:42pm
Known for all the bad jokes
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AJ Oct 13, 2021 05:54pm
You can wear what you want to but people don’t have to agree with it…
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Asif Oct 13, 2021 06:08pm
Anything for some cheap fame eh.
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Moaz Oct 13, 2021 07:05pm
"I will wear what I want to, make want I want to and say what I want to," That applies on the critics too... Y post a whole article on people who disagree with this?
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nk Oct 13, 2021 07:12pm
@ST Is it ? Are u sure"
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Chrís Dăn Oct 13, 2021 07:46pm
@Nasir why "bound".legally ,under the constitution he is a free human being.
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Chrís Dăn Oct 13, 2021 07:47pm
@the MIRROR "inhuman behaviour"? How? Are you okay?
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Chrís Dăn Oct 13, 2021 07:48pm
@Ch. S sometimes people just need to laugh with a heart.
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Jigen Oct 13, 2021 11:33pm
No thanks. Keep that cross dressing nonsense in the west. Ali Gul Pir has come out of the closet basically
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Opinionator Oct 13, 2021 11:52pm
Just because he doesn't want to hear a critical opinion doesn't mean that others can't or won't pass it. If he can't stand the heat, he should get out of that attire.
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Truth be told Oct 14, 2021 12:40am
@ST NO
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Truth be told Oct 14, 2021 12:41am
@Haider he is starting a trend that'll challenge masculinity in our culture.
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Mani Oct 14, 2021 03:31am
Why is he still relevant? It’s been eons since vadera ka beta. Seems like a desperate call for attention.
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Sidc Oct 14, 2021 04:06am
Well done Ali and you are one of few brave souls who stand for free thought and freedom of expression in a country where everyone scared of freedom.
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Naveen malik Oct 14, 2021 05:24am
There are always some boundaries to freedom of expression. It's sad that people trample over those and expect others to calmly accept every absurdity that comes their way. Yes men can be sensitive, boys can cry but to cross dress is another genre altogether.....
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Zeezhan Ahmed Oct 16, 2021 01:57am
If he feels those disgusted by his cross dressing are insecure, why does he himself choose to broadcast what he wears to the world?
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King Ali Oct 16, 2021 07:32am
Disgusting . . . Do what you want in your own house, not in public. This kind of thing should be a punishable offence in Muslim countries. For those that disagree just move country. Pakistan was created for Muslims to live like Muslims. Not for cross dressing fags.
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