“The boy who wore a dress”

Let us imagine that our day has finally come to an end and we are looking back to all the people we came across today. In our minds we may recall pictures of men wearing trousers and also women wearing dresses. Nothing notable up to this point. Additionally, we will recall women wearing trousers. Once again, nothing special, since all the above are every-day things, all acceptable. What would happen though if one day we came across a boy who wore a dress? Then, I think *that* would be something notable, something special.
 
As expected, our minds will be filled with questions. “What is he wearing? A dress?” “Is he really wearing earrings and make-up too?!” Perhaps some of us would say that this is weird. Maybe some would comment about it with our friends. The questions that I would like to pose are the following: Why do we react to this picture that way? Why are all these thoughts and emotions stirred?
 
Undeniably, the sight of a boy wearing a dress is not usual in our reality. Only the few past years has it been hesitantly been coming up here and there, representing the new and the different. It is something that cannot blend into its environment but usually loudly disturbs its silent homogeneity. That is because it contrasts with the established stereotypes of gender and their representation in matters of appearance, which interrelate men to trousers and trousers only. However, if we go back to the previous century, we may realize that there would be similar reactions to the sight of women wearing trousers, until they too became part of the accepted and the norm in our society. So is perhaps casting doubt on the established stereotypes and the change of our familiar, usual and safe reality the reason which lead us to this passive aggressive behavior, sometimes rendering what’s different as abnormal, unacceptable and to a greater and greater extend reprehensible?
 
Let us try, though, just for a moment, this very moment, to break free from all those stereotypes. Let’s dare to let go of what we see, break the mold, and put clothes and patters aside to lighten up the soul which is wearied down by the clothing and the coverings. Let’s unravel. If we try all the above, even if it is just a little, it would be a gift not only to ourselves but also to that boy, and any person who dares to express themselves with their own unique and original way. We will offer ourselves the opportunity to meet the person hiding behind of what we see, communicate our thoughts, our ideas, our dreams and emotions, genuinely interact and mingle. We will be further from the picture and deeper into the truth that we all bear inside of us. That is probably when we may realize that the person who we thought so different and weird actually is much more similar to us than we had thought.
 
Instead of a conclusion, I’d like to re-title this article. Let us use the following title: “The person who wore…”. Fill the cap and the rest is up to you.
 

Translation: Niki Saridaki

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