Beard Liberation Front
Press release June 23rd
Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266
England cricketer Moeen Ali voted Hirsute Personality 2019 as National Beard Week starts
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that with Beard Week set to bristle off to a start on 24th June England cricketer Moeen Ali has been voted Hirsute Personality of the Year 2019 in an on-line poll
Moeen shaved poet and performer Benjamin Zephaniah almost 2-1 in an on-line poll
Jeremy Corbyn won the accolade in 2018 but in 2019 the shortlist featured well known BAME beards
The BLF says that it has become increasingly concerned that images of the hirsute overwhelmingly feature young white men. While this is positive in terms of beard impact in the public eye it downplays and often ignores the importance of BAME beards.
The shortlist comprised well known beard wearers, focusing not just on their place in the public eye but the gravitas and impact their beard added to their public image and appearance.
Unlike the Beard of the Year in December, those on the short-list didn’t need to have a full-time beard. Rather they needed to have been in the public eye while hirsute. Neither was the contest about who has the ‘best’ beard.
The winner of the on-line poll which opened on 17th June is announced at the beginning of Beard Week 2019 on June 24th. Other Awards that feature during the week, designed to promote a positive image of beards, are the Beard Friendly Sandwich of the Year, Hirsute Broadcaster of the Year and the Beard Friendly Employer of the Year.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett We looked as ever for superb examples of hirsuteness in the public eye which also add gravitas. It means a beard plus presence equalling a maximum hirsute public impact. Moeen Ali who has a national presence currently in the Cricket World Cup clearly fulfilled those requirements brilliantly
Hirsute Personality of the Year 2019 shortlist
Raheem Sterling, footballer
Virat Kohli, cricketer
Lenny Henry, actor
Benjamin Zephaniah, poet
Lucas Moura, footballer
Moeen Ali, cricketer
Idris Elba, actor
Lowkey, rapper
Cllr Joseph Ejiofor, politician
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