It was probably meant in jest but not everyone is amused.
Lewis Hamilton has caused something of a social media shit storm by questioning his nephew’s choice of Christmas present. In fact, many are accusing him of ‘gender-shaming’ his young relative in a video the F1 champion uploaded.
That’s because the child in question seemingly asked for – and got – a Disney-style princess, and Hamilton filmed a presumably tongue-in-cheek reaction admonishing his nephew for making the choice.
Oh dear Lewis. You’ve just opened a can of worms… pic.twitter.com/fpsiNeOZrd
— Nabeela (@JustNabz) December 25, 2017
He used a mock-angry tone, asking the kid: “Why did you ask for a princess dress for Christmas? Boys don’t wear princess dresses!” The child seemed unabashed and laughed at his uncle. But as you can see below, many have found the reaction totally unnecessary, and even damaging.
https://twitter.com/AndrewBGrace/status/945616074866855936
Boys can wear them if they want! U are just setting up the next generation for a hateful, non-accepting, future🙄🙄🙄!!
— Zoe (@Pengtingunicorn) December 26, 2017
Why do people activity go out of their way to stop kids being this happy? Are those ingrown, outdated thoughts against the LGBTQ+ community really that powerful they have to make a CHILD feel bad when at their happiest.
— Tropical ☀️ (@tropicalTW_) December 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/NjataQueen/status/945601688622260225
I don’t care what Lewis’ beliefs are, you can’t publicly put down a CHILD for innocently liking what they like or wanting what they want, especially when you’re an icon and someone who kids look up to, respect and admire
— Nabeela (@JustNabz) December 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/mrmaxfaulkner/status/945634172282040320
He is a worm
— Paula Keenan (@Paula111115) December 26, 2017
