“Do you know what gender stereotypes are?
Of course you do. So please tell me that you’re aware of the fact that they are bullshit, as well?
We have progressed so much. We have made advances in every field possible. Medicine, science, art, literature and what not.
So what I don’t understand is, why can’t our stupid ideals and thoughts progress?
Why do we stick to the same ghastly mindset?
Why do we not let girls explore their masculinity and guys explore their femininity?
Why do we make fun or belittle or judge anyone who is even slightly different than us?
I honestly don’t understand.
You know, let’s talk about something in particular. Let’s talk about makeup.
Something out of which such a big deal is made, ALWAYS.
I mean why, why would you make such a big deal out of makeup?!
I stand up for all the guys and girls, who were ever belittled for such a simple little thing which gives them joy.
I stand up for all those girls who are tired of hearing ‘too much makeup’ ‘you don’t need it’ ‘artificial’ ‘plastic’ and so on and so forth.
I stand up for the guys who had the balls to gather courage and actually do something they love.
But what actually happens when guys do this? Instead of being appreciated for taking a stand, overcoming their fears, the only thing they hear is – ‘unnatural’ ‘gay’ ‘fag’.
Is your own masculinity so fragile that you have to give it validation by making fun of someone else?
According to me, makeup is art. And all art should be appreciated.
It doesn’t make you ‘gay’ or ‘artificial’. It’s just makeup for God’s sake. How can you judge a person’s personality or sexuality based on that?
I honestly don’t get the hate that revolves around it. I mean it’s only something that enhances your natural beauty. How and why is it considered ‘artificial’ or ‘unnatural’?
Grow up. Please.
Fuck you if you think this is unnatural.
Fuck you if this goes over your head and against your immature ideals.
Fuck you if you ever shamed someone based on their choices. Fuck you if you think makeup is only for one gender.
Fuck you for not growing up and for not trying to understand somethings, some people do.
Fuck you if you don’t regard makeup as art.
Fuck you if you ever made fun of someone for something they love to do.
Fuck you and your gender norms.
Oh and judge all you want honestly. I expect no less. I know the number of people who’ll judge me just for standing up for someone. But guess what? Neither my masculinity nor my ego is as fragile as yours. So please, give it your best shot.
This is not a ‘coming out’ post. This is not about me. This is much, much, much bigger than me.
This is a post made out of a certain hope that it’ll give some courage or at least some kind of inspiration to those facing such problems.
This is me standing up for all those who ever faced any of this bullshit. This is me standing up for all those who never did what they loved, out of the fear of being judged and ridiculed.
I’m with you. I stand for you.”
-Ishan Dhage, just another college student.