My stepdad is the kind of man I want to be. He’s my transition goal. Not physically, but mentally and emotionally. He’s the textbook definition of “positive masculinity”. He is in tune with his inner child and every single day I get to see he and my mother act like they did together as kids. He works so hard for us to make sure we’re all happy and healthy and safe. He goes out of his way to accommodate for my disabilities even when he doesn’t have to. I want to be him, and be the kind of partner to someone else that he is to my mom.

I find myself on a major university campus, spending four days living in a dormitory for a conference.

As I sit in one of the social common areas, I can envision our young men here, full of potential, energy, and natural leadership. I can see the great things they could accomplish if they were encouraged to lead boldly, think freely, and pursue excellence without apology.

Instead, too many of them have been contaminated and restricted by modern social norms that push diversity and equality at the expense of strong male leadership. Young men and boys are spending their energy trying not to offend anyone around them, rather than developing the confidence, decisiveness, and unapologetic drive that true leadership demands.

I feel manly and masc as hell