Here’s an interesting question entered into a search engine that landed a visitor to my website: “Why do women get to wear tall boots and men can’t?”

There are a lot of interesting conversations all over the web on this topic, but I’ll share my own perspective.

Yes, women wear tall boots. It’s kinda funny that women took over “ownership” of tall boot-wearing back in the 1960s. In the days of the Civil War and all across the globe in the 1700s, 1800s, and through the mid 1950s, it was very common to see men wearing tall boots. Then when women began to wear boots as fashion statements in the 60s, men began to perceive that they couldn’t wear tall boots any more because, to them (especially in conservative areas), wearing tall boots was considered a sign of femininity. A man doing anything that was considered feminine became linked to being gay, due to the very inaccurate but pervasive social stereotyping that “feminine” = “gay.”

I am a man — a masculine man — and I could give a rat’s ass about other people’s perceptions. Those who know me as the man I am wouldn’t say that I behave femininely. Yes, I am gay, but I’m a guy. Period. Done. End-of-story. (I guess you can say that I’ve grown up to be a man, not a coward.)

There are many styles of tall boots made for men. Who “gets” to wear them is a choice made by the person wearing them. Contrary to social stigmas on the topic, men “can” and DO wear tall boots. Go tell a motorcycle police officer that only women can wear tall boots. Ha!

But besides positions where tall boots are worn regularly by men — not only motorcops, but also loggers, linesmen, working cowboys, and the like — there are a lot of us bikers who wear tall boots often.

Speaking for myself, I have long gotten over being worried about what other people may say or think about me or the boots or clothing I wear in public. It is not feminine to wear tall boots, especially if the boots are decidedly rugged: buckaroo cowboy boots, or a biker’s tall engineer or harness boots.

If you think for one moment that permission is granted by some Social Lord who “allows” only a certain gender to wear tall boots, then you’re mistaken. If you are reluctant to do so, ask yourself why you feel that way. If you are concerned about what other people may say or think, then you have two options:

1. Get over it. Pull on a pair of tall boots, stand tall, and proudly. If someone says something about the boots, learn how to say, “thanks. I think they’re cool. I like how they look and feel.” Period. Demonstrate your masculine independence.

If you can’t do that, then there’s always Option Two:

2. Put on sneakers, sandals, flip-flops or crocs, and crawl back into the cowering position of having society dictate what you wear, where you will wear it, and how often.

I know that sounds harsh, but honestly: nobody cares except you.

Life is short: wear tall boots.

Once again, an internet search asking, “What Do Gay Mens Boots Look Like?”, directed a visitor to this blog, specifically, here: “Why Do Gay Guys Like to Wear Boots?“

I’ve quit trying to figure out why people look up stuff like this, but nonetheless, there they go … again … and here’s my reply.

First of all, gay men who wear boots choose to wear boots like any other guy who’s man enough to wear them. If you have to obsess about what “gay mens boots look like” (perhaps because you’re afraid that you don’t make a “mistake” of wearing a pair of boots that will cause people to question your sexual orientation) … then just go put on a pair of flip-flops or crocs.

Second, in all honesty, there are no particular styles of boots that gay men prefer over any others. I can say that from a base of knowledge: I am gay and I wear boots. So what?

Some gay guys like tall boots, some like shorter boots. Some gay men like cowboy boots. Some like motorcycle boots — heck, some of us like (and wear) both styles. Some gay men like boots with a Cuban or underslung heel, while others like boots with higher heels, low heels, or composite heel/sole combinations. Some like “retro Beatle boots” or platform boots or cavalry boots or jump boots or lace-up boots or Timberland work boots or logger boots or police patrol boots or tactical boots or military boots or … you get the picture: Uh-oh! That means that you will find all kinds of “gay mens boots” or (more likely): gay men wearing different types and styles of boots.

‘nuf said. Gay men are like anyone else. If a gay guy likes to wear boots, his boots will look like anyone else’s — cowboy boots, motorcycle boots, harness boots, engineer boots, classic Frye boots… whatever. Boots are boots and men are men, and some men wear boots and some guys obsess too much.

… end of rant.

Life is short: wear boots.

This stuff drives me nuts, but honestly, I don’t pay much attention and do not let it bother me because I do not suffer fools well.

From Bothell, Washington (a suburb of Seattle): “Why do gays wear black boots?”

I can tell that it was written by someone who is not well educated and who is straight — the pejorative term “gays” is a give-away to both conclusions.

Now, to address the question. Well, there is no answer for stupid assumptions. Honestly, where do some people come up with this garbage?

Most men’s boots come in black or brown, and you’ll find cowboy boots with more colors — the most common besides black and brown is black cherry, cognac (orange-burnished), tan, and there are also men’s boots that have inlays or accents of blue, red, white, and other colors.

So, ding-dong from Bothell, hear this:

Not all men’s boots are black.

Not all gay men wear boots.

Granted, most motorcycle boots are black — but then again, I would venture to say that the vast majority of bikers who wear black boots are not gay.

Gay men who wear boots wear more colors of boots than only black. Sheesh — look at my cowboy boot and motorcyle boot collections. I have boots of all colors. And I’m gay. So what?

Get an education, friend. Wise up and then go speak with some gay men. You may be surprised to learn that they’re people too, much like you — and me!

Disclaimer: I have been to Bothell, Washington, and know that most of the people there are fine, upstanding, well-educated people. There are exceptions everywhere, so this post was not meant to take a swipe at everyone who lives or works in Bothell. I betcha you can find some equally ignorant people near where I live, too.

Life is short: stop looking for stereotypes.