In his incisive fantasy novel, The Title of the Wind, writer Patrick Rothfuss writes: “We perceive how harmful a masks may be. All of us develop into what we faux to be.” To me, this isn’t a warning, however moderately an encouraging promise.
How we current ourselves, how we costume, how we seem to others and ourselves is highly effective. Rising up in a Christian group strongly influenced by purity tradition, I used to be typically warned that folks would choose me (my values, my modesty, whether or not I used to be a great Christian) primarily based on what I wore. However my explorations into costuming have proven me that experimenting with my outward look can have a deep influence on the way in which I understand myself and my sexuality.
My explorations into costuming have proven me that experimenting with my look can have a deep influence on the way in which I understand myself and my sexuality.
I got here into the world of cosplay and costuming earlier than I ever got here out as queer. In highschool, my mates and I went to an English nation dance the place Regency-era costumes have been inspired. Donning a floor-length, empire-waist costume and gloves, and embracing Nineteenth-century dance etiquette reworked the expertise from merely enjoyable to completely immersive.
For one night time, I might faux I belonged to a distinct world. After that, I started going to Renaissance Faires, the place costumes can vary from medieval Vikings to 18th-century pirates and fantasy elves—something goes. Over time, being free to specific myself in these costuming areas has develop into a lot greater than a diversion or interest; the apply has given me a secure area to embrace and discover my queer id.
Discovering actual group in a fantasy world
Quickly after I began attending costume and cosplay occasions, I discovered that the costuming world brims with individuals who will welcome me representing any character or id I need.
Associated Tales
In stark distinction to my adolescent actuality of feeling continuously judged by others, the shortage of discrimination or disgrace within the costuming group struck me from the start. I’ve by no means heard any attendee make a unfavourable remark about another person’s costume—solely compliments, which I discover extraordinary…and terribly secure.
Rising up in extremely Christian areas, I by no means felt snug, as a child or teen, exploring completely different pursuits and identities; I simply felt bizarre or othered. I skilled unimaginable loneliness (regardless of having a loving household and supportive mates) as a result of my inside world at all times felt so completely different from the cisgender, heterosexual expertise of these round me. I used to be remoted from my very own true self and subsequently, from others, too.
“For people who find themselves queer, as with many marginalized identities, pursuits may be an alienating issue,” says Angela Akinyemi, a queer, Black-biracial therapist who works with shoppers who’ve felt othered due to their identities. “Once we don’t like what we’re anticipated to love, or worse, are shamed, humiliated, or harmed due to it, it will probably really feel safer to withdraw or conceal.”
As soon as I entered the costuming world, nonetheless, I felt validated for the primary time. I used to be in a position to join with others who shared my pursuits, which Akinyemi says can “make us really feel secure to be ourselves, to take up area, and to create deep connections.”
Over time, dressing up for costume occasions has additionally develop into a manner for me to discover my sexuality and id in an atmosphere geared round acceptance. “The way in which you costume and current your self generally is a actually highly effective expression of id,” says therapist Lauren Zettler. “It might probably sign to these round you that you’re a part of a particular group or subculture, which ties into the innate human have to really feel a way of belonging.”
And that’s exactly what I really feel at costume occasions: The truth that all of the attendees are in costume (regardless of how completely different their outfits could also be from each other) creates a strong feeling of group. And as a queer individual, I’ve discovered this sense completely priceless.
How cosplaying has helped me outline queerness for myself
Earlier than I felt secure popping out to the world at massive, going to Renaissance Faires, cosplay occasions, and splendid Halloween events gave me the empowering alternative to appear to be—and be—whomever I needed, even when I used to be simply “pretending” for the night time.
Having what felt like a universally accepted motive to dress up helped create a secure place for me to discover with out having to make a dedication to anyone explicit id, both. If I needed to decorate masculine or flamboyant or attractive, it didn’t have to imply something that I wasn’t prepared for it to imply. It may very well be so simple as, That is my costume for tonight; tomorrow, it may very well be one thing completely different.
“For many who have been pressured to placed on a masks of their day by day lives, being able to decide on what masks to placed on and when can present the chance for transformation.” —Angela Akinyemi, therapist
Costuming is a masks I select to put on, in any trend I want, and to take off at any time when it now not fits me—which has confirmed extremely liberating. “Notably for individuals who have been pressured to placed on a masks of their day by day lives, being able to decide on what masks to placed on and when can present the chance for transformation,” says Akinyemi.
Since popping out as queer, this exploratory tackle costuming has helped me experiment with new areas of id and higher perceive my queerness. Very like attempting on and carrying completely different costumes, if I strive on an id, and it does not match? No hurt, no foul; I can take it off and take a look at one other. I don’t have to field myself into one strict style or kind.
Particularly, donning attractive costumes has felt like a strong reclamation of the femininity I couldn’t embrace whereas coming of age amid purity tradition. Extra usually, the power to strive on and take off completely different costumes—and identities—as I see match has made me really feel each secure in my physique and wildly explorative on the identical time; it’s allowed me to embrace adventurous unknowns whereas additionally feeling a way of coming residence.
The final word coalescence of my queer costuming expertise got here this previous October once I attended Theatre Weird, a Halloween extravaganza held in Detroit. Described as “the best masquerade on earth,” it attracts attendees from all around the world to the Motor Metropolis’s well-known Masonic Temple spectacularly decked out with fantastical decor.
I spent weeks on my costumes (sure, there have been a number of)—one was steampunk-themed, the opposite Medusa. They’re probably the most elaborate costumes I’ve ever created, and with regard to the second, there’s not much more freakish than fashioning half your face right into a snake’s, full with reptilian contacts and honest-to-goodness snakeskin glued onto your pores and skin. And but, nobody batted an eye fixed at my nightmarish interpretation of probably the most well-known Gorgon, besides to inform me how superior the costume turned out.
In creating an area for me to discover the uncared for and closeted corners of myself, costuming has develop into probably the most stunning path towards an entire expression of who I’m—with area for that id to proceed to develop.
