As part of my gender norms in relationships series,
I make an effort to take pictures of my relationship from time to time to
record its moods and progressions. A previous shot from this series can be
found here.
I figure if I’m going to ask different couples to let me into the
intimacies of their relationships, I should expose mine as well. My partner
projects a gruff, taciturn and fairly stereotypical American masculine persona.
The big exception to his serious “I’m a manly man” look is his long, just
totally gorgeous, flowing locks. This is the last shot I got of them before
they fell pitifully to the barbershop floor. It still brings a tear to my eye
(sigh). So this is the last time our hair served as our common,
gender-neutralizing bond. This image is not as fanciful or daring as our
last session, but it is, I hope, a more honest slice in time of our
relationship.
The second shot might get a little closer to conveying the subtleties of
our relationship. He is perched, lovingly staring down at me. From his height
he might be in a position of power, but, hey, he also has no pants on. Really
how powerful can you be when you’re cold, with your junk out, sitting on the
rim of a sofa pantless? It’s its own kind of gender balancing, one I quite
like.