Exploring Masculinity/Femininity

[Vincent E.S.]

Yes! I had actually been considering posting a topic like this a few days ago. haha.

I am a gay man, but before I realized what I am or that it was possible, I basically sulked around and refused to do anything to my appearance that would automatically scream 'girl' or even just look feminine. Since I've come out, I think I've actually been talking in a slightly higher pitch than I used to, I'm okay with sitting around in public sewing little rabbit plushies, and I've even brought homemade cookies to school on a My Little Pony plate. Not to mention that I'm okay with wearing bright purple skinny jeans and a t-shirt that's not baggy (even tight, sometimes, but only when I have my binder on).

I haven't started medically transitioning yet, but I'm getting doctor information tomorrow. I've always been able to, if not pass as male, then at least be so ambiguous that nobody used any pronouns in regard to me unless they were specifically told what I was. Now that I've accepted that it is possible for me to still be transsexual even though I'm gay, I think I've become more comfortable with expressing my feminine and ultra-flamboyant side, and that my comfort level has allowed me to pass even better.

[Nygeel]

I guess this might be a different phrasing that could work...

While transitioning many of us start by acting very masculine or very feminine then get to a point where we don't care about what's masculine or feminine.

True? Experiences?

[LivingInGrey]

I guess this might be a different phrasing that could work...

While transitioning many of us start by acting very masculine or very feminine then get to a point where we don't care about what's masculine or feminine.

True? Experiences?

I guess that's the hard part about what your asking. Each person is going to have their own idea of what's masculine and feminine. For me, I don't see having the urge to build something with tools a completely masculine trait. Some of the better mechanics I've known have been females, some of the most avid football (American football that is) fans I've meet have been females and some of the more overtly gross people I've meet have been females (burping, farting and sometimes the most smelly...).

I'll agree that it's more common to see men more interested in sports and stuff but women in my opinion are more extreme in those kinds of items then men are when you find them. It's not often you find a guy sitting in a park bench sewing little rabbit plushies (not trying to pick on you Vincent but just the image of Sylvester Stallone from Demolition Man came to mind).

[Vincent E.S.]

I'll agree that it's more common to see men more interested in sports and stuff but women in my opinion are more extreme in those kinds of items then men are when you find them. It's not often you find a guy sitting in a park bench sewing little rabbit plushies (not trying to pick on you Vincent but just the image of Sylvester Stallone from Demolition Man came to mind).

Haha. I assure you, I feel completely unpicked! I am perfectly fine with being an eccentric flamer, though it'd be pretty awesome if I could look like that (just for a few hours) while sewing my bunnies; I would boggle so many peoples' minds.

It's true that everyone's ideas of masculine/feminine differ, particularly based on the individual's own interests as well as how he/she was raised.  I've noticed that with most people, if they meet a woman engaging in 'masculine' things, then to them she'll seem to be very extreme about it and go all out. The same impression seems to occur with men doing 'feminine' things. I don't think this sums up a person in his/her entirety, but it does seem that that is the main thing that other people focus on. Then again, people do tend to home in on anything not 'normal' and then obsess over it, so perhaps that's part of it.
As with anything, it's completely up to the individual and how he/she sees him/herself.

[RhinoP]

Generally, I express myself however I want, however it's really the reactions from people that hold what I'd like to change. I also get pretty shy and very introverted after hours of people insulting my facial features that contradict my outer identity, it gets tough.