Be Equal Parties (service/product/experience)

Gender is coded and constantly reinforced within children’s sociocultural communication, sending cues that often propagate stereotypes in young minds. A popular site of gender construction is children’s parties.

How could I come to politically transform the gender politics of children’s parties? How can children’s entertainment be designed around the Suffragettes or the Guerrilla Girls?

This project explores the reconstruction of gender’s mechanisms of construction in society, using children’s parties as a site of redesigning gender relationships. The costume, props and activities designed draw from an array of moments in gender politics, resulting in Be Equal - a speculative party company I created to tackle these issues. It aims to educate and prompt awareness in children on gender stereotypes, directing the performance of the next generation of social actors. It aims to contribute towards a landscape of true gender equality.

Party in practice - play video

The entertainer’s costume

Cross-fertilized with 19th century bloomers and the agender flag