Gender diversity A New Kind Of Masculinity Can we celebrate masculinity while condemning the ‘toxic’ part? By Jamila Rizvi Gender diversity Can we celebrate masculinity while condemning the ‘toxic’ part? By Jamila Rizvi Previous article 4 Trends You’ll Want To Wear From London Fashion Week Next article Members On Their Way: Shani Langi A violent knife attack in Sydney’s CBD last month left one woman dead and another severely injured. But in media reports and public conversation, the devastation took a backseat to the role of two men. These men weren’t the alleged killers, far from it. They were genuine heroes of the moment, stepping in wielding café chairs and milk crates to prevent further bloodshed. If it weren’t for their swift thinking, more lives would have almost certainly been lost.Writing in The Australian newspaper, columnist Janet Albrechtson was one of many who praised their courage. She also admired these newly crowned ‘Australian champions’ for their demonstration of masculinity. In doing so, Albrechtson asked: “Can we praise masculinity too? Or is that too controversial in an age when masculinity is raised only to condemn what is wrong with men and to preach how to change them…. Do we fear praising masculinity in case it leads to a scolding for encouraging toxic masculinity?… The conflation of masculinity with toxic masculinity, to use the phrase favoured by the roving gender police, has become routine. This common sleight of hand to use gender to confect some crudely defined phenomenon stokes pointless gender wars and risks harming both men and women.” equalitymasculinity Best Of Future Women Culture “Never an excuse”: Why Katrina still can’t stand the smell of bourbon By Sally Spicer Diamond Meet the leaders: Erin Vincent By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Malini Raj By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Azmeena Hussain By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Shannan Dodson By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Elly Desmarchelier By Odessa Blain Equity A sneak peek inside the sold-out budget event By Odessa Blain Culture Janine never thought divorce would mean losing her family and friends By Sally Spicer Your inbox just got smarter If you’re not a member, sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Future Women in your inbox.