—

As an enthusiast of basketball and one even more passionate about being yourself, there’s hardly anything I enjoy doing more than shooting hoops while wearing leggings.

I think more men would come to the same feelings, too – feelings of wanting to feel all the best (safe and healthy) things possible in your clothes.

For me, I feel like some sort of machisma (yes, “a” – the feminine version, though I don’t think that means I’m exclusively a woman).

I also just feel sexy in them.

I also think it’s just important to expand men’s options for fashion. If the leggings were not designed for a tall man like 6-foot-7 me, for whom are they?

Meeting with a therapist while at a domestic abuse shelter, where we dealt with religious trauma and gender dysphoria, helped me realize that I should expand my wardrobe options. One of the first two pieces of new clothing I wore was my leggings on the court.

A man stared at me for a while, yes. But it was just one man and it may not have helped that the other article of clothing was a more gender-swinging top as well.

Perhaps it did help to be in a progressive municipality.

My ex asked, “Why are you wearing leggings?” in incredulity when I saw her when getting my toddlers. Of course, the one and three-year-olds at the time didn’t say one thing—it suggests that we are socialized with cultural norms.

Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free

The pair of leggings is black. I’ve thought about a blue pair but have not garnered the courage.

Yes, I know that’s probably silly because that’s really not at all any more brave than a black pair. So please—be braver than me!

—

◊♦◊

What’s your take on what you just read? Comment below or write a response and submit to us your own point of view at the red box, below, which links to our submissions portal.

◊♦◊

Are you a first-time contributor to The Good Men Project? Submit here:

◊♦◊

Have you contributed before and have a Submittable account? Use our Quick Submit link here:

◊♦◊

Do you have previously published work that you would like to syndicate on The Good Men Project? Click here:

◊♦◊

Got Writer’s Block?

Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.

♦◊♦

We are a participatory media company. Join us.

Participate with the rest of the world, with the things you write and the things you say, and help co-create the world you want to live in.

If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member, today.

All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.

A $50 annual membership gives you an all-access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class, and community.

A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group, and our online communities.

A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.

Register New Account

Log in if you wish to renew an existing subscription. Username Email First Name Last Name Password Password Again Choose your subscription level Annual Platinum - $50.00 - 1 Year

Annual Bronze - $12.00 - 1 Year

Annual Gold - $25.00 - 1 Year Credit / Debit Card PayPal Choose Your Payment Method Auto Renew Subscribe to The Good Men Project Daily Newsletter our Terms of Service which can be found here.



Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.

Photo credit: Getty Images