I don’t usually write politically charged posts, and I think that’s why most of them are boring and unread.

Working with quiet and exploring issues of gender dynamics this season has been really interesting, especially meeting with people who have all these different ideas and viewpoints on the subject. It’s really made me evaluate my own thoughts on gender and how it plays into society and the like, much like T-Rex in this Dinosaur Comic:

"BETWEEN PANELS!" is the most genius plot device I've ever seen in a webcomic.

It’s also made me evaluate myself and how I’m perceived in relation to my gender. It’s actually sort of strange to me.

I’ve always been under the impression that people view me as “manly”. People tend to comment on my beard, and my apparently intimidating appearance as being that of a bear. I’ve been told that I’m manly in appearance and personality. That’s all fine and dandy. I mean, I am a man, physically speaking.

Maybe it's because of pictures like this. Tuxedos, smoking, and blurriness are all classic signs of manliness.

I’d like to point out that I’m not actually smoking in that picture. Conversely, if smoking weren’t bad for you, I would smoke ALL THE TIME. Because IT’S COOL AND YOU KNOW IT.

However, I think it’s really strange that I come off as manly. I mean, I love show tunes. I’ve been known to watch TLC for extended periods of time. I think baking is lovely. I love a good smelling candle. All of those things don’t really fit inside the big box society has scrawled “manly” on, right underneath the crossed out words “kitchen” and “master bedroom”.

I’m also beginning to suspect that there are several people out there who think I’m gay. Maybe it’s because my sexual preference isn’t defined on Facebook. Or that my profile says I’m in a complicated relationship with a man (which happens to be complicated because we’re both straight men). Or that my profile picture shows me wearing a shirt proudly representing a group devoted to making gay marriage legal.

FCKH8.com (CHARITY PLUG)

I’ve actually been asked by people on Facebook that I haven’t talked to since high school if me and my partner are doing ok, or if there’s something I need to tell them. This leads me to two different thoughts: one, it’s nice that people I haven’t talked to in years care, and two, Facebook is the gospel to a lot of people. That’s for a later article.

Also, I’m straight. However, if it weren’t for the fact that I’m attracted to women, and not attracted to men, I would be so gay. And better at musical theatre because of it.

With all of this in consideration, I think it’s interesting that I’m still viewed as manly. People are stereotyped on things that aren’t necessarily reflective of their personality. Maybe this means that STEREOTYPING ISN’T ALWAYS VALID.

That being said, I also think I’m manly.

It’s the beard. And the rippling biceps.

Catch you later.