Radical cheerleading

This was the image radical cheerleaders seized upon in order to subvert gender messages while serving up peppy support for social justice causes.

[2] Since its creation, radical cheerleading has been a movement open to all: participants may be male, female, transgender, non-binary or non-gender identified.

Some radical cheerleaders make pom-poms using garbage bags by folding them in half, tying off one side with a rubber band and then cutting strips from the other end.

The Dirty Southern Belles, from Memphis, Tennessee, wear the colors pink and black to cheer for gay pride.

[10] Radical cheerleaders often perform at political demonstrations, festivals and other feminist events, where they lead protest chants.

Radical cheerleaders may also perform on stage at music venues, to bring political issues (as well as entertainment) to an unsuspecting crowd.

A notable demonstration took place at a Taco Bell restaurant in Auburn, Alabama in 2001, where radical cheerleaders gathered to protest for fair wages.

[2] An example of a radical cheer, led by creator Cara Jennings, performed at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York: Sound off!

The video was released in time to celebrate and honor and inspire the hundreds of radical cheerleaders who converged in New York to protest the Republican National Convention.