**EXCLUSIVE** Man Or Woman?

Growing up multi-racial and feeling in-between genders, not to mention dealing with my sexuality, I often felt the need to choose sides, to try and fit into societal constructs of race, sexuality and especially gender roles. Feeling like an outsider, I was drawn to such multi-racial and/or gender nonconforming icons such as Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Prince, Grace Jones and RuPaul for inspiration and encouragement.

Their mere existence in popular culture made me feel like it was okay for me to explore what it meant to be me. For example, Michael Jackson’s almost raceless and genderless image blurred the lines between what was considered masculine and feminine. MJ also made “cross-dressing” or wearing women's clothing more acceptable (whether the masses realize it or not) - most recently wearing women's Balmain jackets in scenes from his posthumous documentary, ‘This Is It.’

I believe I fall somewhere in between a number of society’s constructs and, as a result, I challenge the mainstream populace's notion of what is acceptable for male and female behaviour and expression. I accept, embrace and celebrate my gender non-conforming androgyny.