Rebecca McAlister is set to run the full 14km of the City2Surf in her underwear this weekend to bring attention to the barrage of misogyny and online criticism she has received as a small business owner.
McAllister is the founder of discharge-friendly underwear brand Luckies Knickers, whose products include underwear with a patterned gusset designed to help women deal with discharge stains and a merino lining to manage scent.
Discharge is a normal part of life for women everywhere, but McAllister has faced plenty of misogyny from men online who seem unable to comprehend the products, telling her it’s “too much information”.
“Wipe ya ass better next time,” is an example of a comment she has received from men on her social media pages.
On Sunday, she’ll be taking part in the City2Surf in her undies, in front of 90,000 people.
“Since bootstrapping this business I’ve been taken aback by the amount of misogyny, creepy DMs and criticism online from men,” McAllister said.
“My business is a side hustle (for now!) and spending my time moderating ridiculous barrages on my posts is beyond frustrating.”
McAllister, who has built her business from scratch with no prior manufacturing and business knowledge, said she used to hide the comments but now she’s taken to responding on behalf of other women who’ve had enough or can’t speak out.
“Men online tell me speaking about discharge is “too much information”, tell me just to wipe my ass better, they hit up my DMs (with their profile pic of their wedding), or call me ugly,” McAllister says.
“Bro I didn’t ask!?”
This weekend will mark the fourth year McAllister has taken part in the City2Surf in her underwear. She says she’s doing it again in the name of brave women who face misogyny like this every day.