Skirts, tights, dresses and masculinity

Discussion of fashion elements and looks that are traditionally considered somewhat "femme" but are presented in a masculine context. This is NOT about transvestism or crossdressing.
jamie001
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 618
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:09 am

Re: Skirts, tights, dresses and masculinity

Post by jamie001 »

Barleymower wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 7:34 am
jamie001 wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 4:50 am One of the recent occurrences has been the elimination of transgender and gender non-conforming folks from the military including members of the armed services with exemplary service records. This demonstrates a strong disdain for gender non-conformant individuals, which is how society views men in skirts. Many other countries allow gender non-conforming individuals to serve in the military. In the USA they could have simply added a rule that the military will not pay for gender transition surgery, but instead they had to weed-out gender non-conforming individuals like a cancer. It is a sad state of affairs.
Under previous administrations GNC individuals were allowed in the military. There was a growing belief that women and GNC men could fight. Yet in training men had to do 82 push up and women 42. A recognition that women are less physically strong than men. There was also a report that units with men and women were less cohesive and under performed. This information plays into the hands of conservatives who believe in strengthening traditional values and GNC will lead to lack of society cohesion and not just in a single unit.
They fail to acknowledge that more women than men survive in extreme conditions. What women lack in physical strength they gain in resilience.
It is incorrectly assumed that women can only reproduce. A GNC man in their eyes is useless and a danger to fabric of society.
Many of these changes were designed to send a message about gender non-conformance and to appease the religious far right. It is a sad state of affairs for these individuals that have served honorably and are now being told to get out because they don’t approve of their gender presentation. I have also seen campaigns prior to the last election that presented gender non-conforming males in a very bad light in attempt to demonize them as a malignant cancer in American society. Unfortunately a vast majority of the uneducated American public will see a skirted man in a very negative light. Men in skirts are facing a disaster in America. I really wonder if the government will make laws to police gender conformance. It is a very scary thought.
User avatar
Jim
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 1824
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:39 am
Location: Northern Illinois, USA

Re: Skirts, tights, dresses and masculinity

Post by Jim »

jamie001 wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 3:19 pm Men in skirts are facing a disaster in America.
Maybe some places, but I'm not seeing that around here. This is quite a conservative rural county, but I have had very little disapproval. I even went to a protest today in a skirt. (viewtopic.php?t=26032) A couple of people objected to our message, but I didn't hear anything about the skirt.
Faldaguy
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 1509
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2020 5:09 am
Location: Costa Rica

Re: Skirts, tights, dresses and masculinity

Post by Faldaguy »

Jim wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 2:00 am
jamie001 wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 3:19 pm Men in skirts are facing a disaster in America.
Maybe some places, but I'm not seeing that around here. This is quite a conservative rural county, but I have had very little disapproval. I even went to a protest today in a skirt. (viewtopic.php?t=26032) A couple of people objected to our message, but I didn't hear anything about the skirt.
Likewise. And we too went to the No Kings Day protest, both of us skirted, and several folks, mostly tourists stopped to take pictures of our small group. I was across the street trying to help control traffic at a congested spot and draw eyes to the group, so mostly I was not pictured, but a few did turn their camera my way -- I'll see if anyone shares or it shows up -- but again, NO negative feedback for the skirt; maybe a couple of doubting looks for the protest, or traffic congestion -- but lots of toots and thumbs up.
User avatar
JeffB1959
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 2756
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:19 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Skirts, tights, dresses and masculinity

Post by JeffB1959 »

jamie001 wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 3:19 pm Men in skirts are facing a disaster in America.
Not in my neck of the woods. I freely come and go in skirts and dresses with nary a peep from anyone, save for those who make the effort to compliment me on my appearance.
I don't want to LOOK like a woman, I just want to DRESS like a woman.
Post Reply