The Homophobia Behind Clothing Choices

(I am in the process of merging two blogs into one. So I will post some old posts that I thought were worthy of repeating. This piece was originally posted 16 months ago. Enjoy!)

We are living in a time when it's considered sexy to look like a murderer [thug], gas attendant or truck driver. It's a hard space for a guy like me who came up in a time when guys tucked their shirts in their pants. I am still attracted to guys that tuck... it's a clean and neat way to show that ass off; equal if not surpassing the trick of wearing your jeans between your ankles and your legs [leaving your ass out as a contributor to the un-expecting environment].

I guess I am tired of everyone trying to be "rugged". I talked to a few brothers last month about gay garb. A few of them said that they have to consider what they are wearing every time they walk out their door. One guy said he has to consider his safety over fashion. So now we are confined to our neighbor’s approval? That's insane to me, I understand it, but it's insane.

So I am not sure how far we have progressed as a civilized society when people are limiting what they wear based on where they live. So the answer to that is, look for a place to live where you can be liberated in your garb. That's total bullshit, but I think gay people can take part of the blame.

Gay people determine what's hot when it comes to fashion. Have we done enough to promote a plethora of fashion choices? I really think we are just stuck on stupid trying to stay true to the "hip hop" game. Blah blah blah. What about designing some rags that are more about comfort, and crafting pieces that compliment one's physical beauty. Let's try that angle. Instead of designing clothes that try to hide in ever crack of one's body, or pants that could fit three people in them at any given moment.

Then there is the collective responsibility in our prison house of fashion. Americans are overtly macho, and anything opposite of that is considered gay and must be vanished from the face of earth. I think that about sums up the homophobia associated with clothing.

Resolution: This is a call out to all of the stylists, fashion designers, pages, personal assistants to divas, hair stylists, nail technicians, and all others who operate beauty. Promote to your clients a look that works for them. Promote individuality; go against the grain. It's time for a revolution. So fellas, stuff the plastic thugs back in the closet, its run is ova! Hit the second-hand basements this weekend, shop in a store you wouldn't normally go in, and walk out with something that nobody else is wearing. Have the guts to sport your new garb, pimp it, and dare to be different.


Badilisho, freelance writer and a newbie to proper commentary-
http://ibwriting.blogspot.com