Being a heterosexual male who likes to dress nice and take care of himself I was often told its “gay” or “feminine”. I was expected to not like to dress nice or be up to date with the latest trends.People automatically assumed I don’t understand sports or don’t have many male friends because I don’t fit in. It’s interesting to me because I love football, basketball and I am crazy about cars. I was captain of a hip hop team for over 3 years and even played football for a year but was often looked at in a strange way if I went to the mall too much or was reading GQ magazine.
This goes back to our society holding so much value on gender roles and what is expected out of a man. I do not think a male is feminine because he likes to be up to date with fashion and I do not think a female is a tomboy if she is into cars and sports. I personally think it’s a sad way of life to put genders into a small box that we must follow. I think its time to have a better mindset and understand not everyone from the same gender will be the same but that does not make them “gay” not saying being gay is bad but jumping to conclusions about someones sexuality is completely wrong. Everyone should have the freedom to do as they please without worrying about labels.
I think that sometimes people make negatives comments about other people’s appearance because they’re insecure. I know of someone who calls guys who dress up “gay” but that’s because he has no sense of style and feels insecure when he’s around people who do. I think that it’s great to take pride in the way you look. I think girls prefer a guy you can dress up and anyone who has anything negative to say about it is probably jealous. It’s sad that gender norms try to dictate what people wear. Keep doing you!
I love ❤ to keep my appearance up
I think a major reason a lot of people judge and part take in negative name calling is because they do not understand something. Usually when people don’t understand someone or something, we lash out with anger. I feel like the gender norm are so imbedded into our society, even in this day and age, that when people don’t fit into a category we don’t understand, the immediate response is not to try and understand but to “fix” them or shame them into “fixing” themselves. People should not have to constantly be acting out a performance to please other. They should not have to hide themselves in order t fit what a male or female “should” be or how they “should” act. think people who are willing to be themselves no matter the response from others are amazing and inspiring!