Rip Curl faces backlash for featuring transgender woman to promote women’s surfing

Surfing retailer Rip Curl has wiped posts on its social media pages that featured a transgender woman after receiving criticism from followers.

Rip Curl, a company known for selling swimming clothes and surf gear, had uploaded photos featuring Sasha Lowerson, a transgender surfer, on its social media sites on Thursday. However, the photos have since been removed. Riley Gaines, a former athlete and advocate to protect women’s sports was quick to comment on X.

“They want you to forget about their contempt for women,” Gaines wrote. “Don’t.”

Hahahaha Ripcurl suddenly knows what a woman is

They’ve also since deleted all posts promoting a male surfer posing as a woman after dropping Bethany Hamilton. They want you to forget about their contempt for women. Don’t. #RIPcurl https://t.co/amScGX3wFs

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) January 28, 2024

As of Monday afternoon, comments on Rip Curl’s Instagram posts have been turned off, though comments on its Facebook and X accounts remain open.

Lowerson, a biological man who identifies as female, is listed as an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote LGBTQ equality within various sports. Lowerson claimed online that transgender athletes face multiple obstacles to participating in sports, both legislatively and within sports leadership.

“It may not be easy, but it’s possible to be an openly trans athlete and to be a spokesperson for what is right,” Lowerson said.

Rip Curl featuring Lowerson on its social media accounts came after the brand parted ways in November with Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who survived a shark attack in 2003. In February 2023, Hamilton spoke out against the World Surf League’s adoption of the International Surfing Association’s transgender policy, stating that she would not compete in the WSL as long as it allowed transgender athletes to compete.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The decision by Rip Curl to feature Lowerson comes a little less than a year after Bud Light, a popular beer brand, featured transgender social media star Dylan Mulvaney in a social media advertisement. The post led to major pushback online, along with a noticeable decrease in sales of the drink.

The Washington Examiner contacted Rip Curl for comment.

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