A Sydney fire station has come under attack for putting up a sign, seemingly in response to Gillette's controversial advertisement.
The ad, which launched two days ago, started trending on YouTube and almost immediately activated a debate around the world.
It addresses issues such as toxic masculinity and sexual harassment by urging men to be "the best they can be" in a post #MeToo era - a twist on the razor company's long-standing motto: 'The Best A Man Can Get'.
After the launch, the Newtown branch of the NSW Fire and Rescue updated its bulletin board, with a message reading "House fires are toxic, our masculinity isn’t".
The message has since been taken down, with many claiming the fire station had taken a side in the debate surrounding the razor brand's ad.
But the Newtown Fire Station has told SBS News the sign wasn't a response to the Gillette ad, but a statement against toxic masculinity.
"We strive to provide a safe non-toxic work environment that all people can feel safe in. We simply were stating that we don't promote or practice toxic masculinity," it said in a statement.
Newtown Fire Station is known for its humorous messages, often using the noticeboard to spread tongue in cheek safety alerts and occasionally even some social commentary.
The station said its staff worked to be "proud men" by helping others.
"This may be achieved in many ways: [by] being inclusive, standing up for minorities, standing for those less fortunate, standing against bullying and unfair labels," it said.
"The sign was for people concerned that there is way too much toxic [sic] out there. To show that there are groups that fight it."
A NSW Fire and Rescue Spokesman told News Corp the message was “not considered appropriate” for a public noticeboard and was subsequently taken down.
