Gender-Bending Bear
Definition of Bear from Wikipedia.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_(gay_culture)
“Bears tend to have hairy bodies and facial hair; some are heavy-set; some project an image of working-class masculinity in their grooming and appearance, though none of these are requirements or unique indicators. Some bears place importance on presenting a hypermasculineimage and may shun interaction with, and even disdain, men who exhibit effeminacy.[1] The bear concept can function as an identity, an affiliation, and an ideal to live up to, and there is ongoing debate in bear communities about what constitutes a bear, however a consensus exists that inclusion is an important part of the Bear Community.”
Definition of a Gender-Bender from Wiipedia.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_bender
“Gender bender is an informal term used to refer to a person who actively transgresses, or “bends,” expected gender roles. Boy George is called a “gender bender” because of his tendency to wear make-up and clothes perceived as feminine. Gender bending is sometimes a form of social activism undertaken in response to assumptions or over-generalisations about genders. Some gender bendersidentify with the gender assigned them at birth, but challenge the norms of that gender throughandrogynous behavior and atypical gender roles. Gender benders may self-identify as transgender orgenderqueer, feeling that the gender assigned to them at their birth is an inaccurate or incomplete description of themselves; some are transsexual and desire to change their physical sex throughhormone therapy or sex reassignment surgery, while others were born intersexual. Others may identify as Two-Spirit or members of a third gender.”
Lately a lot of great things have been happening in my life and it has made me really think about life, who I am, and the constraints or rather molds of society. Ever since I started doing BEARLESQUE I have discovered a side of me that I have never really let myself embrace before. Be it the wigs, the heels, or the dresses but I really do like dressing up and showing people that there is more than one way of expressing yourself and exploring life than just through the molds that society has set up for us. For example, I love wearing heels and platforms whenever I can get the chance to. Not only do they make me feel sexy and super tall(because you know 6’4″ isn’t tall enough!) but I like seeing the reactions from people. Don’t get me wrong I get mixed reactions but surprisingly mostly positive. I like to see how people react to a big man like me rocking out in heels and such. A lot of people are surprised and think it’s awesome that I am myself and I don’t hide who I am.
Gender-Bending according to Wikipedia.com is someone who mixes genders from the hyper masculine to the hyper feminine. I am not saying that I want to be a woman. I am a man and I love being a man. What I am saying though is it is awesome to blend the roles of the genders and the fashion of both. Although I am a masculine man I can rock out heels and platforms shoes way better than most females. I know this because in NYC it is so easy to watch people and I am heel whore…I love them!!! So when I see a woman in hot heels or just heels in general and she can’t seem to walk in them, it makes me question: Can’t I help teach you how to walk properly in heels? And why are you trying to rock them out if you don’t know how to?
SO through everything I have learned that I love blending the sexes and genders to the point that people can’t tell if I am masculine being feminine or feminine being masculine. And I comfortable doing both because I am perfectly comfortable in my skin because I love who I am.
That brings me to my question thought of the day…
Why is it so hard for people to love who they are embrace everything about themselves? Remember life is too short to not live in the moment. No point in dwelling in the past, but important to remember it’s lessons. NO point in worrying about the future because it’s going to be here whether we are ready or not. SO live in the moment, the present, and give life all you have right here and now! So go on my shine sprites and shine bright!!!
Becomingsunshine's Blog 