A pastor in the U.S. has stirred controversy after urging women to stop posting certain kinds of photos online.
Brian Sauvé, who works at Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah, has been accused of being misogynistic towards women after he took to Twitter to seemingly urge “ladies” on behalf of all men about showing skin on social media.
“Dear Ladies, there is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself in low cut shirts, bikinis, bra and underwear, or anything similar – ever,” he tweeted.
He continued: “Not to show your weight loss journey. Not to show your newborn baby. Not to document your birth story – Your Brothers.”
Dear Ladies,
There is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself in low cut shirts, bikinis, bra and underwear, or anything similar—ever.
Not to show your weight loss journey.
Not to show your newborn baby.
Not to document your birth story.
-Your Brothers
— Brian Sauvé (@Brian_Sauve) February 7, 2022
Brian has received backlash for his tweet which has received more than 20,000 replies from users arguing against Sauvé’s sentiment. The pastor’s claim also prompted the creation of a now-viral #DearBrian trend.
In a rebuttal, one user wrote:
“Dear Gentlemen, There is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself wearing a beard, a tight T shirt, shorts or anything similar – ever. Not to show your arms. Not to show your personal best. Not to document anything, ever. – Your Sisters.”
Dear Gentlemen,
There is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself wearing a beard, a tight T shirt, shorts or anything similar – ever.
Not to show your arms.
Not to show your personal best.
Not to document anything, ever.
– Your Sisters.
— manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) February 9, 2022
American Author John Pavlovitz took a dig at Brian, tweeting: “Dear Brian, Pastors like you are why the Church is known for misogyny and the subjugation of women more than empathy and equity. You should try the sacred ministry of minding your own damn business.”
Dear Brian,
Pastors like you are why the Church is known for misogyny and the subjugation of women more than empathy and equity.
You should try the sacred ministry of minding your own damn business. https://t.co/u6GF9LElg6
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) February 9, 2022
In a series of follow-up tweets, Sauvé defended and stood by his comment.
“Quite a few men and women who would likely identify as liberal feminists have recently taken quite the interest in my Twitter account,” he wrote. “Welcome! I’m glad you’re here.”
Quite a few men and women who would likely identify as liberal feminists have recently taken quite the interest in my Twitter account. Welcome! I'm glad you're here.
I have a question I'd like your thoughts on:
— Brian Sauvé (@Brian_Sauve) February 8, 2022
Many of you likely use and promote the #MeToo movement—yet hundreds of you are sending me unsolicited sexual images and videos.
Is that ok now? I thought your sexual ethic was all about consent? This seems like naked (pun intended) hypocrisy on your part. For example:
— Brian Sauvé (@Brian_Sauve) February 8, 2022
He added, “If a man were to send you unsolicited nude pictures or sexually explicit videos of himself, you would (rightly!) judge him as a sexually abusive pervert. But you can do it to me? How does the ethical math work out on that? Maybe your sexual ethics aren’t so ethical after all.”
Sauvé also told his Twitter critics that he doesn’t “hate you,” but we’re all “hypocrites, sinners, and moral vagabonds” and the “freedom from the crippling weight of your sin through Christ.”