Masculinity

What makes someone masculine?  What makes someone feminine?  It's something that I have struggled with for most of my life.  Even in elementary and high school I was the one being picked on for not being masculine enough.  It's always made me wonder what defines masculinity.  I've come to my own conclusions, they differ from other people though. 

I personally believe that masculinity is defined from within.  Just because you have bulging muscles and facial hair doesn't make you masculine.  You can be rail thin and wiry and be more masculine than a muscle boy.  It's how you feel and project yourself.  I am a man, I am therefore masculine.  I know that I have my moments where the feminine side shows.  I can be emotional, I can be romantic - I'm gay - but that doesn't make me any less masculine than other men out there.  I have a penis, and trust me when I tell you I know what one is, I've seen plenty of them!  I am a man.  I do not let what I wear, what my apt looks like, how I smell, what shoes I wear or what bag I carry define my masculinity.

I wear clothes that fit me well, are stylish and comfortable.  I like my apt to be clean an orderly, I have a sense of style.  I like to smell good, and have a few scents I really like to wear.  I like to have a variety of shoes to wear, but don't call me Imelda Marcos.  The bag I carry is functional, it accommodates everything I need it to:  the book I'm currently reading, my gym clothes, the water bottle, the coffee thermos, my iPod and headphones, etc.  None of those things define who I am with regard to my masculinity, at least not to me.

Imagine my surprise then when I'm told in the locker room of the gym last night by some ass, clearly, that my bag was not masculine enough and I should get something else.  The dumb schmuck didn't know what hit him, or who he was dealing with when I replied:
That's odd, because the same could be said about your shoes.  At least I don't let objects define my masculinity, good luck to you though, since clearly you do.

His jaw dropped, and I made my exit...I should write a show...or a book!  I love being sarcastic and witty and being able to think on my feet...I think that's the blessing of being an out gay man that doesn't really care what everyone else thinks.