Let’s go back about three decades or so — there’s proof that one’s assigned sex in no way determines one’s capabilities or how he or she chooses to express him or herself. And what other great example than the late David Bowie.
The creator of one of pop’s conspicuous and mesmerizing characters, Ziggy Stardust, was not afraid to defy the norms of society. Whether through music or notably by his non-conforming fashion-style choices, Bowie stripped away any limitations preventing him from artistically expressing himself while continuously blurring the lines. In a recent article for Entertainment Weekly, Kyle Anderson described Bowie as “performing with cabaret-glam” in women’s clothing combined with a rocker’s edge. It’s safe to say the singer/artist/visionary was one of few at the time to engender a lifestyle to advocate gender fluidity and set a precedent for an array of others to follow today.
What does it mean to be or identify as “gender fluid”? Prior to doing my research, I was ignorant of the term, honestly, and couldn’t tell you, but with a basic understanding, it seems somewhat explanatory. I still couldn’t put a finger on it. One of the first ideas that came to mind was to live both, from a male’s and female’s perspective, regardless of sex. An individual knows and identifies with his/her assigned sex but explores whichever would be the opposite for them just as well and comfortably. After more reading and eventually taking my search to YouTube to see what others thought, I found I was pretty close.
I also came to learn how some, like Ruby Rose of “Orange Is the New Black,” don’t identify as any gender, yet instead feel to be “somewhere in the middle.” “Gender fluidity is not really feeling like you’re at one end of the spectrum or the other,” Rose said in Elle. “… In my perfect imagination [it’s] like having the best of both sexes.”
Sounds like a win-win, right? I mean, who wouldn’t want to live according to their own standards and innate feelings on a daily basis? It’s our individual “recipes” that make us unique and that constantly attract others in the first place. Scrutiny will follow whether your actions are deemed good or bad or indifferent, therefore it’s important to always make decisions for yourself.
After the announcement in January of his new modeling endeavor, Jaden Smith too can be added to the list of people redefining societal norms. Recently, “The Karate Kid” star had been called upon to be the new face of Louis Vuitton’s 2016 Womenswear campaign. Like Bowie, he too has no problem hitting up the women’s department, as do some of his other male counterparts. When the headline first hit, it took a minute to register before it was like, “Oh, OK. That’s cool … different but cool.” It was a proud moment: This dude, though not the first, continued to break barriers regardless of who paid attention. Was he not supposed to appear in the ad because he’s a guy? Or maybe since it’s the “women’s line,” a female should have been cast, right? It’s evident anything associated with gender roles was overlooked and probably not even a second thought given as this project came to fruition.
In the end, gender fluidity is in fact real and a reality for so many. David Bowie took risks and as a result will be remembered for pioneering what now is a lifestyle for many to feel comfort in knowing they too belong. While it may have been misunderstood then, today a vast community has the freedom to explore all aspects of all genders without having to be defined by just the one others perceive, just from what they can see from the outside. In whichever medium one chooses to express his or her fluidness, it’s to be respected, for it’s another additive that makes one unique.