music, reading material, etc

[mikke]

Slightly off topic perhaps, but how are you dealing with your transitions concerning your taste in the arts? I mean, I'm obviously a guy (wouldn't be here otherwise) but yet I still love my Kelly Clarkson, the occasional Spice Girls (don't be a hater), Abba...I don't know, I guess I have a very feminine taste in music.

The only guys I know who like this kind of music are extremely gay (which I am not) so I'm afraid my choices will make people think otherwise of me. But I can't just "change" my love of certain music...can I? I mean I'm a huge simon & garfunkel fan, maybe I could exclusivly listen to them. But my favourite uplifting music is distincly feminine.

...what to do?

[ConfusedMichelle]

Hi Laine, I'm Brady, nice to meet ya! I identify with a gay male but I do know where you are coming from.

Like what you want! My older brother and uncle (straight) like N*Sync! Your taste in music doesn't affect your gender. You are what you are. Heck, who WOULD stop listening to the Spice Girls? I love em too hehe.

You are perfectly fine liking the music that makes you happy, Laine.

Happy to know ya,
Brady

[Mario]

Laine,
    It has nothing to do with you masculine or feminine side. We like what we like. The thing is when a guy likes stuff that to society that seems less than macho, then sometimes he is looked at as "gay" or just too fem. I like mostly contemerary rock. But I will admit here and now that I like Kelly Clarkson too  ;)and not just because she is hot. I like her music. So don't stress.

                                                   Marco

[Luc]

ditto on Marco's remarks. I like what I like, and I don't really care what other people think. I, too, like ABBA. I love the Beatles. I compulsively listen to Counting Crows, Simple Plan, Bowling for Soup, Korn, Drowning Pool, The Killers, She Wants Revenge, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. It's just like my tastes in TV. I have no problem admitting that the greatest TV show of all time is undoubtedly Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yes, it's about a chick who kills demons and vampires. Yes, it's kind of soap opera-y. But I love it. I watch Desperate Housewives, and quite enjoy it. I also love the movie Fight Club, and have seen just about every horror film known to man. Am I manly? Sure. Do I have feminine qualities, interests, etc.? Of course! So do most guys. Like what you like, man.

Rafe

[HelenW]

Laine, what transition is for me is not to become a woman, per se, but to become myself.  "Myself" happens to be female and I still like woodworking and hunting and even smoke a good cigar once in a while.  I've always loved orchestral music from Bach to Brahms (with special places in my heart for WA Mozart and L v.Beethoven) and beyond and nowadays I enjoy jazz too.  I was a teenager in the late 60's and early 70's and enjoyed everything from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin along with classical music (but disco STILL sucks!).

As Shakespeare wrote, clichéd but still very true:

   "This above all: to thine own self be true,   
   And it must follow, as the night the day,   
   Thou canst not then be false to any man." (Hamlet, Act 1 Scene III)

Hugs & Smiles,
helen