Bravehearts' Kilt Forum

User Profile

WDP

I am a Philadelphia lawyer with some Scottish heritage and the proprietor/webmaster of this website. I started wearing a kilt occasionally back in 1972, when the public's attitude toward the idea was much more hostile than it is now. I gradually increased my kilt wardrobe and accessories over the years, until I was wearing kilts and kilt variations most of the time.

During the 1990's, I actively participated in several Internet forums about men's kilts vs. skirts and helped to shape the terms of the debate. My extensive writings eventually evolved into this website.

At Tom's Cafe, I first suggested the name "Bravehearts" for men who favored the wearing of men's kilts and maintaining an unambiguously masculine appearance (as distinguished from the "Freestylers"). In my writings at Tom's, I also coined the phrases "trouser tyranny," "men against trouser tyranny," and "male unbifurcated garment" or "MUG." These terms were subsequently picked up by Utilikilts and have made their way into the national media. I was an early promoter of Utilikilts and have supported other modern kilt variations as well.

Over the years, I have been a strong advocate of the Braveheart approach and a veteran of many flame wars between Bravehearts and Freestylers. However, as I have always emphasized, I feel no animosity whatsoever toward Freestylers or other men who wear traditionally female clothing, and I believe that their rights should be respected. My argument has simply been that the Braveheart approach has a far better chance of gaining popular acceptance, that the two approaches have very different goals, and that they should be kept separate and not confused with one another.

Kiltmen.com - Home of the Bravehearts