Effort

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I chose effort because it’s not easy to “man up”. The weakest men I have known seem to avoid work as much as possible. It requires effort to build a life that you’re proud of. It’s natural for men to work. For me, I feel at my best when I have something of a burden to bear, and I know this isn’t uncommon." 

Word: Effort
Occupation: Image Consultant
Age: 28
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"My father. That sounds so generic and but it’s most men’s answer for a good reason. Viewing the way your father interacts with the world and handles himself is usually your first observation of masculinity, and it rubs off on you. My dad had a strong sense of duty and compassion for others. I can’t remember a single time he has ever complained about anything. He’s the most stoic man I know.”

 What advice would you give your younger self about masculinity?

“My younger self would have never listened to anyone about anything. I would have told him to stop chasing pleasure, or to aim higher. I always picked the low hanging fruit when I was younger. It made me soft. I had a lot of catch up to do later on in life. I’m still working on bettering my relationship with life and what it means to be a man as I move through it. “

Friend

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

“I would say a friend. Like someone who you can talk to. There are non of the society expected things.”

Word: Friend
Occupation: Customer Support
Age: 24
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

“My father, he is traditional. He is understanding, he is trying to be more balanced lately. He is really traditional Serb. He is really the Orthodox Christian. He likes to hang the icons everywhere, take us to church, and he is the man of the house and he really loves us.”

 How would you describe healthy masculinity?

“Someone who just doesn’t even think about it. It is natural, it’s human, it’s in nature, it should show but that’s a difficult question that I don’t really have an answer.”

Strength

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

“Strength is the defining factor that separates most men from women. I believe that it is expected of a man to be strong because others rely upon him for this strength. He needs to be strong to protect those who he loves.”

Word: Strength
Occupation: Chef - Musician
Age: 23
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

“My friend(who was there during the interview) he has always been the best with the girls. Also he has taught me many things and that is why I respect him. “

How would you describe toxic masculinity?

“When someone is older than you, and they use this to convince you that they are superior and then they take advantage of you. Essentially when a man manipulates or takes advantage of others weaknesses.“

Strong

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

“I feel that being strong is a large factor for men.  Being strong is something that also separates men from women who are much more emotional than men, men are generally not that emotional but it seems that this is shifting in society. “

Word: Strong
Occupation: Student
Age: 23
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

“I am going to pick Tom Hardy because in his movies you can really see how manly he is. Also he has also always been good with his family, even though he has younger brothers he has always taken care of them. And he has always been macho kind of like when he was Bane.”

How would you describe toxic masculinity?

“There is this guy I know who is always trying to convince everyone of how masculine he is and people start to believe him because he lies about it so much. But, when you actually hang out with him you realize how fake he is.

Or maybe better said is when you are not really masculine at all but you are hiding it. You are trying to stuff your masculinity down others throats making them believe you are tough.”

Reliable

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I would choose the word reliable. Why? Because you need to be like the pillar in a building that can hold a lot of the weight. In a family, you have to be a place of strength, in your job you need to be responsible and trustworthy. People need to be able to count on you; you need to be reliable." 

Word: Reliable
Occupation: Chemical Engineer
Age: 33
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"I would choose one of my wife's uncle's he is one of the most reliable people I know. He's always there like whatever you need he is there for you. He's extremely good with his hands he can build almost anything. "

Synergetic

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I would choose the word synergetic. Because to me, this means to be completely synergetic with your whole mindset, body, and soul have to be in balance in order to provide the best to the world, exactly what any man should be and do."

Word: Synergetic
Occupation: Chef, Entrepreneur
Age: 31
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"I've had many mentors and role models and things they have in common and what they taught me is to be true, honest, and respectful towards every living being.

BUT, if I had to choose one man I guess I would go with my father. He was a man who didn't talk much but when he did you listened."

What advice would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"I would say keep doing what you're doing you're on the right path."
 

Chivalrous

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

 "I would choose the word chivalrous. Because for me, I think that is what the world needs most sometimes. Because chivalry is mostly dead among men. Now, I don't mean that white knight in shining armor kind of thing but chivalry would be what a man needs to be. So you treat those below you and those weaker than you with respect, and you protect them in all ways. They may not be "weaker" directly and not literally but you always need to think of those who are worse off than you, those who are below you in any way, again not below you in like social standards or anything. In any way that someone is worse off than you, you try to help them, and it's also how am I going to treat women."

Word: Chivalrous
Occupation: Digital Advertising Manager
Age: 25
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Who is the manliest person you know and why? 

"I would choose my father honestly that's because he is even bigger than me actually like like physically he is a mountain of a man, but he is such a kind person who has been through so much shit in his life.  Yet, he is still one of the nicest and kindest people I know. He is always there to help, and he is very reliable. That is something I have always admired about him. We often clash because we are the same person or at least everybody says that we are the same and we are both stubborn. But at the end of the day, he is a person I look up to the most. When I am in a difficult situation or time I often ask myself how would my father react if he were in my shoes."

If there was one thing in your culture that you could change or help influence for the better In regards to masculinity what would it be?

"It would be how we treat women because people here it can be quite chauvinistic. And it is present across all layers of society, and it's a stupid example but one of my female friends used to work in a big telecommunications company, it is one of the biggest in our country and their director will not allow men to pick up a phone because it's a woman's job and it's a woman's voice the customer should hear. For me this is unacceptable, and I believe society should not work this way and this type of actions is quite present here."

Integrity

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I would choose the word integrity because a man should be honest in all of his dealings and true to his word. What good is a man if you can't trust him?" 

Word: Integrity
Occupation: Caregiver
Age: 32
Location: Portland OR

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"I would say, my mother, she is the epitome of integrity."

What does healthy masculinity look like to you?

Healthy masculinity looks like something that leads you into a mindset where a man treats women as equals and with respect and you are going to have integrity with that. With healthy masculinity, you wouldn't have things like rape culture. 

What advice would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"Be honest with yourself and everybody else, that is all that really matters, be your authentic self and just have integrity." 

Understanding

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I would choose the word understanding... I pick that because with being a man it seems like so many men are flipping it how i think it should be. Is that their seeking to be understood and then to understand, when its far more relatable and far more productive just being with other people to seek to understand first and then to be understood...

When you sit back and listen for a little bit you can hear some ideas you never thought of. This might change your whole outlook or you will start hearing a lot of stuff and be able to pick up on bullshit better." 

Word: Understanding
Occupation: Photojournalist
Age: 22
From: Kansas City, Missouri

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"It is really hard for me to pick one...

I might have to say that back in the day at summer camp there was a group of three counselors that I look back on. They were really solid and in tandem together really gave a good example to us. At the time I was like 16 or 17 and you know that is a tumultuous time for any guy growing up and just kinda having those guys for two weeks out of the summer, you got to see really solid stuff come out of them."

What do you think healthy masculinity looks like? 

"I guess I could answer that in I guess in describing in contrast to stuff that we are seeing today. Like we got some legacy celebrity and politicians and stuff getting knocked down from their unchecked masculinity for so long. So we are starting to see now what a lot of unhealthy masculinity looks like. On like an extreme side..."

What advice would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"I would tell myself that I cant find what masculinity is outside of myself. I gotta find it inside myself to establish who I am centered. And then bring that out into the world. Not take things from outside and try to make that what I am on the inside." 

Vulnerable

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would if be and why? 

"I would choose vulnerable.

Who you truly are, whatever your emotions are whatever you are dealing with you are able to express that in a way that you are able to touch move and inspire another human being instead of making them wrong or making them feel belittled or wronged or any of the emotions that we want to tie our ego." 

Word: Vulnerable
Occupation: Department Manager
Age: 42
From: Kansas City, Kansas

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"My mom is the manliest person I know because she is the very definition of what a man is supposed to be. What I mean by that is being of African American descent I got ahold of something called the "Willie Lynch Letters." I think all men should read this because it really puts in perspective how we have been indoctrinated to be something we truly are not. In those letters, Willie talks about how you take civilized negro you tar and feather him, you quarter him up by the horse and you pull him apart and whip him, in front of the mother, the children, and the uncivilized negro. What happens from this is there is a paradigm shift that occurs between the men and the women. 

What happens is the woman will put herself out front to protect their sons, they will have their sons be physically strong yet mentally weak. So, I feel like part of what is happening to not only men in particular but to our generation of human beings as it stands right now. Is that we have a civilization of people who have gotten behind the woman and is listening to the lead of the women instead of being who they naturally are...

Until we get to the point where we are mentally strong and we are aware of who we are, especially as men and we start being the leaders that women need us to be instead of them being out front and sheltering and protecting us." 

Do you think masculinity has an impact on society? Why or why not?

"It does and it has a negative effect on society. Uhm... why I say that is because the masculine nature is that of conquering and that of conflict, that of one upping someone else.  It is like this constant pissing battle, it really is..." 

What advice would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"You are not your circumstances, you are not the events that took place in your life and  you don't have to be what you've seen on television. It is okay to be who you authentically are whether you like Jimmy Hendrix, the Doors, or whatever. Stand in who you are and be proud of that, and never ever sell yourself short for who you really are or who you could be, and love everyone." 

Stable

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I would choose the word stability. 

In a family, I think men feel obligated to bring stability, I think that's something that is hardwired into us. I think of when I was a child and my dad always drove. I always felt safe. I always felt like I knew he was in control... I think that is something stability brings.

This is something I try to focus in on in my life. I try to bring stability to my family. We all fall short of our ideal right? And so I think that you can't say that we will bring stability to all situations but as a whole, that should be something that a man should want to bring to a situation." 

Word: Stability
Occupation: CEO
Age: 39
From: Raytown, MO

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"That is a hard one, I have a lot of mentors and people that I have leaned on over the years, but I would say that my father was very stable when I was growing up. Again, he didn't talk much but when he spoke it was important. Uhm. When he told you to do something you knew it was important. 

Another person was my grandfather. He was a little rough around the edges but he taught me about masonry. He was a man that again, you knew that when he said something he meant what he said and said what he meant.  He wasn't somebody that beat around the bush. And I think that brings stability.

Lastly, there was this guy named Jay. He was always cheerful, he was a cancer survivor and I had talked to some people that knew him when he was going through his Chemo. They said he'd go and get his chemotherapy on the weekends and throw up all weekend and show up to work on Monday. And the thing is it all came down to him having to supply for his family. I don't know if you could call anything else more stable than that. He was a stable guy. You could count on him. You knew that he was there for you.

I think those three guys right there are tied for first." 

When was a moment in life that you felt most masculine?

"One of the times was when my daughter was born. I just remember holder her for the first time, and seeing how little she was and realizing how strong and big my hands were and that I had the responsibility of protecting her when I could." 

What does healthy masculinity look like?

"I will bring it back to stable. It is balance. It is understanding that you have a power and using it wisely...

We(men) need to be builders and not breakers." 

Decisive

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would if be and why?

"I would choose the word decisive because I know there is something manly about someone that knows and is sure about himself... I think someone who is more masculine is more secure about himself, they know exactly what they want to do. I know I feel more masculine when if I decide something really quickly and I am not wavering and I am like steadfast in my decisions. "

Word: Decisive
Occupation: Software Engineer
Age: 25
From: Kansas City, MO

Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"My Dad, because he knows how to read people so well and pick up on things some other person would not be able to do... He can do subtle things that will make my mom really happy." 

Do you wish you were more masculine why or why not?

"I don't care either way. I don't wish I was more masculine I don't wish I was less masculine, I just want to be myself... I don't want to desire either way."

What advise would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"Anything that stops you from making your own decisions, even if it is a cultural norm, you just gotta remove all your thoughts about whats normal and think outside the box and make your own decisions."

Safe

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I would choose the word safe. You see, as a man, I am capable of a lot. One of those is a responsibility to protect others and bring people into an environment that allows them to be able to be free enough to be themselves. It is important to live a life where we allow ourselves to be messy." 

Word: Safe
Occupation: Vehicle Wrap Artist
Age: 32
From: Redding CA

Who is the manliest person you know and why? 

"My father. I always thought I would never live up to the man my father is. It wasn't until I realized that being a good father comes from being a good son. It is as simple as that." 

What does healthy masculinity look like to you?

"A person who operates in their masculinity in a healthy way actually creates an environment for people to, be able to be safe and for people to be themselves."

What advice would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"Don't worry about it.... because worrying about it is only going to prolong the process, instead just keep moving forward. This is the most important thing. You will figure it out." 

Genuine

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I would choose genuine because that to me also means real, authentic, and candid. A man should be those things. The good, the bad. and the ugly. Accepting of himself, his triumphs, and failures." 

Word: Genuine
Age: 30
Occupation: Musician/Quality Lead
From: Folsom CA

**NOTE**
Check out this musicians website! (CLICK HERE!) Him and his wife are doing some killer stuff! 

Who is the manliest person you know and why?
 
"Santa Clause, because he is happy to be himself and spread joy and cheer. He's not into body image and is pretty black and white about naughty or nice." 

Do you wish you were more masculine? Why or why not?

"Uhmm I guess I wish that I did more things that were "manly." Like, I can't grow a beard, and for some reason, to me, that means like manly.  I can grow a goatee and some patchy facial hair on the side, but one day I hope I can grow a beard..." 

What advise would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"I guess masculinity is not what the movies tell you that it is or that TV or whatever tells you that it is. Since I am a man being myself that just because daddy-daughter dances make you cry haha doesn't mean your not a man. And still, strive for the beard but it's not a make or break... Be confident about yourself it's all good... If someone invites you to go hunting go hunting. "

Human

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would if be and why?

"I would choose human because, society, media, and my family had conditioned me to believe that a man is strong, provides for the family, and doesn't cry.  I've grown to learn and realize that a man can be strong and a man can provide, but a man can also cry. We are humans and we have every right to embrace and nurture all the emotions that are so innate in all of us. I am a human being. I get happy, sad, excited, hurt, and I cry."

Word: Human
Occupation: Personal Development & Life Coach
Age: 30
From: Oakland, CA 

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***Note***
Here is a link to Mikes personal webpage. You should check it out he is an amazing guy! I am so glad we got to connect! 

Here is his FB page (CLICK HERE) & here is his website (CLICK HERE)

Who is the manliest person you know and why? 

"All the men in my life that aren't afraid to say "I love you."

What advise would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"I would say, that you get to define what masculinity is. That you have complete ownership over what you believe what masculinity is and it's your responsibility to define that nobody else's... It's okay to be you man,  and whoever you are whatever you are... its okay..." 

What do you think healthy masculinity looks like?

"I think healthy masculinity is being okay with whatever level of masculinity you choose to identify with. I know that sounds so nebulous and sort of out there, but it's like if a person came up to me and that person is biologically a woman but identifies with the masculine identity, and they are not hurting anyone, and they are of service to people. Then I would say yea that's cool, that's healthy masculinity.  If a person identifies as one as a male and is identifies as masculine and has to prove their masculinity by hurting people or saying hurtful things to someone or by being a certain way to overcome someone or to compete with someone I would consider that unhealthy..."

Balanced

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I would choose balanced because it does not identify either way with masculine or feminine it exists as a human being that embraces and accepts in the light of compassion the oneness of every person to feel worthy to just be authentic and self-express wholly... Balance holds a space for people to be self-express authentically." 

Word: Balance
Occupation: Yoga Teacher
Age: 44
From: Shawnee, Kansas

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Who is the manliest person you know and why? 

"I have a friend named Jay; he seems balanced. I look to him for guidance sometimes... He is one of the manliest people I know and is somebody who lives his life through this expression of balance, and he is one of the best people at that. Men who are willing to be authentic, soft, genuine, and strong, but at the same time not afraid to be vulnerable... There is a lot of strength in vulnerability. "

How much of a role do you think your father had to play in your perspective of masculinity? 

"It was everything because I measured every man I ever met with that experience to my dad and what would he say about this. I would say he was the benchmark. Eventually, I got to the place where I could question did he know everything? Could another man know as much or more, or offer a different perspective. But yea he played a huge role. "

What advice would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"Regardless of your experience in your life, within you, you are an expression of both the masculine and the feminine, and your journey through life will be to remember that. To remember your masculinity and to remember your femininity and the balance of your power to weave the two together. If you ever feel whether it's an identification with one over the other or an alienation of one or the other is simply to not acknowledge or forget that everything is there, it's just this life is about remembering the balance. It's not something somebody can take away from you. It's not something that somebody can give to you."

Grit

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

"I would use the word grit, and I don't mean anything dirty or uncouth. I like the word grit for that concept of that fire which drives you to get up and do what needs to be done. Whether you get knocked down, whether you fall down, that thing that causes you to choose what's right over what's easy  or causes you to pursue what's good rather than what's expedient or to seek truth instead of just entertainment I know we have prettier words for that concept, but that concept requires a level of self-sacrifice, and sacrifice is almost never pretty. It can be beautiful, rarely pretty. "

Word: Grit
Occupation: Engineer
Age: 37
From: Olathe, Kansas

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Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"I would say a man by the name of Ronnie Collin. He was an older South African gentleman that I had the privilege of calling my close friend for a number of years. You talk about a guy who has been through a ton of life, who has fought through a number of things, who has spine of steel, just a phenomenal work ethic, and lived a life of commitment and yet he was (and I saw was because he, unfortunately, passed away a few years ago) one of the most joyful and most compassionate and brightest spirits I have ever known. And yet he was still unquestionably manly and gritty and determined, and I learned a lot from him."

When was a moment that you felt most masculine?

"I will tell you one moment, but know this, they all revolve around my kids and being imminently proud of my kids and seeing them become who they are becoming. If I wanted to target one moment even though it was years ago, it was probably the birth of my first born whose a boy. Just all of those feelings, of number one, being proud, number two, oh my gosh I'm a father and then just going this is my son... I made this... I am responsible for this, and my job is to teach him to be a man. Not that I knew what I was doing but that was one of the points where I felt most masculine because I felt I am gonna do this, I'm not running from this I am not hiding from this. I'm not saying I'm fully equipped for this yet but I am gonna be, and I am going to teach him to be a better man than I am."

What advice would you give your younger self about masculinity? 

"Okay, so the first thing that came to mind uh was Jack Andy 'You're smart enough, you're good enough, and gosh darn it people like you.' and as goofy as that SNL skit was there is a nugget of truth to that. No matter who you are, what you are, if you are you, you are good enough......"

Diligence

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why?

I would choose the word diligence. Consistent and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind. Why diligence? What is a man without it?

Word: Diligence
Occupation: Sculptor
Age: 31
From: Kansas City, MO

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Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"A man named Jody. He lives on five acres in Colorado. He raises animals, hunts, gardens, and makes his living as a cobbler. He is happy, free, and has a father's heart. One time a young man asked if he minded if he smoked on a ministry trip. Jody responded 'Smoke, we love smoke! It drives all sort of religious spirits away'."

Do you wish you were more masculine? Why or why not?

"Do I wish I was more masculine? Do I wish I was more diligent? Because my word was diligence.... Who doesn't wish they were more masculine? I've tried to grow a beard and it doesn't look super great on me, because it doesn't grow nice and full. I think of a lion in Africa and what would be a male lion without his mane ya know....

I'd like to build my own house from the ground up that is one of my dreams. Uhm... I love being a man and I'm so thankful I was born a man. I love working with my muscles and my physical body. I love helping people.

When I was a young guy, I really wanted a Jeep because I just liked the idea of being able to go and pull people out of the ditch and stuff. And if like somebody is in trouble I have this loyalty inside of me that just wants to be there for them. Like if one of my buddies called me and he was down in Mexico, and he said he needed me. I would drop everything and just go. I think that is a good thing and that's one of the things I like about myself and that I am proud of. If there was more of that, I think that would be great. I think more beards are great, work boots, etc...

Who doesn't want to be more masculine? I do." 

What does healthy masculinity look like to you? 

"Well, I can tell you one thing that I don't feel like it looks like. Because I have had men over me that haven't been able to admit that they were wrong and it has not made me trust them. I think it's important to admit that you are wrong and I think that is a healthy part of masculinity. When you blow it to be able to own it.  I also heard this quote one time, and it said: 'When a man plants a tree for shade that he will never enjoy in his lifetime then he has at least in part learned the meaning of life.' And I think when a man can have the vision and it goes beyond himself or the temporary moment to those that it is going to affect and realize that his decisions aren't just about changing his current situation. I think that is really manly." 

Honor

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why? 

"I would choose honor because it encapsulates whom one is in order for it to be lived, demonstrated, and expressed to those around you. "

Word: Honor
Occupation: Self Employed
Age: 35
From: De Kalb, MO

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Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"My father. He embodies honesty, integrity, and hard work with a tender heart daily." 

Do you wish that you were more masculine why or why not?

"You know, it's funny because I've been told "Hey you are so metro" but that comes through I think in my artistry and my soft tender heart, but most people have no clue that I was raised in the bush, thatched roof, no water, no electricity, you could hand me a pocket knife and throw me somewhere and I'd probably be just fine. But that exterior is not portrayed in who I am, or just like physically or just like kinda if you just meet me, and so I don't know if I would want to be anymore quote "masculine" you know. I fell like I have a pretty decent balance..... So no I do not wish I was anymore masculine." 

What advice would you give your younger self about masculinity?

"I don't think I have rested on any one phrase from my dad as much as I have in the last four or five years like this one statement. Which is "You can love the product insurmountable, but until you embrace the process you won't see all of the colors and you won't have a true value for the result or what ends up being the product" and that is basically trying to enforce yourself especially in the hard times to enjoy the process of every season that life throws your way, because, the more that you can get out of it, even if its rough. Of course, when it's not as rough it seems more enjoyable but when it's rough and you think you wanna get through it and want to hit that fast-forward button. But, if you can endure and stay true to the process the product is guaranteed that is what my dad would say, but you will come out looking at that product of what that is and the result of that in your life with feeling victorious..."

Heart

If you were to describe what it means to be a man in one word, what would it be and why? 

"I would say "Heart"...actually "Good Heart". Okay, that's two words I know, but at the very core, if a man doesn't have a good heart, then nothing else matters."

Word: Heart
Occupation: Computer IT Consultant
Age: 48
From: Kansas City, M

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Do you wish you were more masculine? Why or why not? 

"When I first came out. It was kinda hard for me to mesh being masculine with being gay. Because It was the way, I was brought up. All gay men were lisping, effeminate, and there was no way they could be considered masculine, but as I got older and as I have met more people and just with my life experiences, I have learned I am very secure with myself. I am happy with who I am you know; I guess I am somewhere on the spectrum of what I would consider masculine vs. feminine. I think I have a lot of both traits. I think it's very important to be well rounded and have traits that society would consider traditionally masculine, and traditionally feminine. You know, I don't give a flip now, I kinda assume every knows I am gay. I am a good person. Whether people like me or not it doesn't define me. You know I happen to be gay. I am Michael and I happen to be gay. You know that doesn't define me. I am also a volunteer, I love animals, I am all for the pet, dog, and cat rescue movement. I love traveling. I love camping, but I also have a very sensitive side. I don't really care to be any more masculine. So I guess to answer your question no I do not wish I am more masculine. I am finally at a place where I am good where I am at." 

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When was a moment when you felt very masculine.

"There was a time many years ago when I was being picked on because I was gay and I stood up for myself. I told the other person to bully off. I was bullied all throughout high school and finally I had had enough. I was in my late twenties and was being picked on yet again....and I let him have it. I felt really good for being able to stand up for myself and not take the bull shit anymore. I guess it is important to be able to stand up for yourself. "

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Who is the manliest person you know and why?

"I would say, my dad. He has always been there for our family. He was never one to really express his feelings but I always knew that he loved me, even when I came out as gay."