boringcyclistI haven’t posted much lately, but I had a breakthrough this week and want to put it out into the world. This feels like a safe space to do that. I have internalized the concept that gender is a social construct, and I’ve realized that I constantly judge myself and compare my interests, preferences, and feelings against a masculine ideal that lives in my head. This constant comparison is constricting, and it inhibits my self expression. It feels incredibly freeing to think about rejecting the gender binary. I am not sure if I identify as non-binary, but I’m curious about it. I don’t want to be limited by what society “thinks” a man should be. I want to be myself.
Esslar2@boringcyclist The book, "Refusing to be a Man" by John Stoltenberg has one of the best titles I've ever read. Sometimes I think my not wanting to be a heterosexual is not because I am sometimes attracted to women and don't want to be (I do!), it is because of the "code" you have to follow in order to be a heterosexual male. It's just misogynistic trash and I refuse (!) to go along with it.
@flyhigh thanks for the recommendation, I will check it out. And thanks for sharing your experience, it’s nice to not feel alone.