Guys: do you feel effeminate for liking Ayu?

[*Petit*]

I don't think it's girly to apreciate her music. Dressing up like her, yes. However, the concepts of masculine and feminine aren't really linked to physical gender, at least not the traditional attributes that follows them. While ayu can be very feminine and cute, she still has very masculine and powerful songs and her presence and persona has a lot of masculine features.

[fantasma3c]

I admit. I have a feminine side to me and I like it. But if your embarrassed to admit you have something that is sad. I am bisexual and proud. Thanks to my best friend I can open up

[Larien]

Originally Posted by ストロボ・EdGE

really what is feminine or masculine? What society dictates right?

Originally Posted by rikku411

But you raise a good point. Society wants people to believe that only women should be "lovey-dovey" or emotional or like "cute" things, but I don't buy that. I don't think people should be told how to act or feel based on their gender or made to feel bad because they act a certain way.

*hugs you both*

I am loving the atmosphere in this thread. More power to everybody here!

[spanishfan]

The first Ayu's video I saw was HEAVEN, at that time i only understood sayonara from this song, when it finished i was crying. Never happened something like that to me. I didn't feel girly, just the emotion i can feel even i don't understand anything made me feel something i can't explain.
Usually i don't like too much her girly things, like the USB version from NL (because of that i bought the DVD+2CD version, pink lol) or the pink poster from D/G single (i have it in it's roll)
I'd love if she release stuff not so pink, with hearts, wings or the gay flag's colours xD
But i think the most important thing is i like her because of the emotion in her songs.

[Calico]

I totally feel more masculine when I listen to heavy metal.

...wait. no I don't XD

This may sound weird, but listening to Ayu actually does make me feel a little masculine. Depending on the song. But that's just kinda how music is. People shouldn't feel ashamed by the styles of music they enjoy. If people are refusing to listen to pop music because they think it'll make them feminine and that's a bad thing, then they have more problems than the people enjoying the music.

[Picaflor 7/4]

nope. I listen to britney spears too.
of course I'm gay. but I'm not flamboyant. I don't feel any weird. all that "crying and emotion is weakness in a man" **** is ridiculous
so what if I listen to pop? so what if I happen to have a good taste in music? singing about love and loss and hope, or singing about slapping up a hoe and getting some G's on that.
I think I know firmly where I stand with this. >.>

[Yeli13]

My best friend first listened to Because of You and made me discover Ayu. I'm the one who became a fan, and I made them discover other songs, like my name's WOMEN, Bold & Delicious, 1 LOVE . Boys or girls, they all had a different reaction and I don't think it depends on being male or female, straight or gay... It mainly depends on your openmindness... well that's what I think

[njanjayrp]

Nah, I've never felt that way. Even though some of Ayu's songs might be meant for girls to listen to I like them and I really had no problems with them. Well I am pretty much the same as the majority of Ayu's male fans here lol

[ImpactBreaker]

I don't, because I'm not effeminate.

However, I admit I'd never listen to HONEY in front of anyone, even though I actually like that song. It's extremely embarrassing. As for BLUE BIRD, I don't see a problem..I used to sing it aloud a lot because it's one of my most favorite songs from her. I don't usually share with people that I like JPOP though. Don't wanna be called a bizarre freak lol

[jon_the_d]

there's definitely a lot of ayu songs that are very very far away from being manly. and just being a fan at all is not very manly.

So definitely, I would say that being a fan and liking her songs would easily be perceived as being a bit girly, and not at all manly.

However, that doesn't make you girly or make you unmanly.

I'm a 28 yr old straight guy who's been married for 5 years. I'm not camp, I'm not girly. I'm a rough and ready scruffy kind of bloke. I'm not vain, I don't shave often, I'm not into fashion or shopping, I don't care what my hair looks like or what sort of clothes I wear. I don't like pop music, I'm not into celebrities and gossip.

But I do love Ayu, and I buy all her stuff and listen to nothing else. Apart from my choice of Idol and music taste being a bit strange for a guy, there's nothing girly about me.

My guy mates are confused as to why I like her so much, they all see her and immediately come up with crude comments about what they'd do to her. They don't think much to her music and dismiss it as weird japanese girly pop. perhaps similar to kylie, or britney.

So yeah, I'd have to say liking this kind of music is a bit girly, but it doesn't make me girly. Anyway, I know who and what I am so I'm not bothered.

I'd be surprised if many other male ayu fans fit into my category though.

[zyoeru]

^ Well...to be honest. Even if I'm gay. I'm not camp-what-so-ever. I don't care about my looks, and I usually don't shave unless I need to look decent.

[waterballoon]

Well, to elaborate, I actually feel empowered, strong and masculine with songs like Mirrorcle World, (don't) Leave me alone...

Again, I'm gay, but it doesn't mean the music I listen to is girly right? I can enjoy rock songs; I listen to Hey Monday, Fall Out Boy and Daughtry, occasionally Coldplay... so yeah... it's really stupid to judge someone based on what he listens in the first place.

[noidea]

Originally Posted by waterballoon

Well, to elaborate, I actually feel empowered, strong and masculine with songs like Mirrorcle World, (don't) Leave me alone...

Again, I'm gay, but it doesn't mean the music I listen to is girly right? I can enjoy rock songs; I listen to Hey Monday, Fall Out Boy and Daughtry, occasionally Coldplay... so yeah... it's really stupid to judge someone based on what he listens in the first place.

^ actually, Coldplay is one of the groups that fall into the same category ayu is in, the "girly" one, at least where I live xD

[zyoeru]

Originally Posted by noidea

^ actually, Coldplay is one of the groups that fall into the same category ayu is in, the "girly" one, at least where I live xD

Where do you live exactly? Britpop isn't girly where I live.

[waterballoon]

^ oh yeah Coldplay is actually "girly" right? Oops!

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

i always found it funny that society is ok with girls liking boyish things, but the opposite isn't accepted. i.e.: tomboys are ok, but tomgirls? lol.

and say girls get up and sing a rock song from Aerosmith or something, but a guy sings Pat Benetar or Blondie. haha

But i tell anyone i meet i dont care what they think about my music taste. i listen to ayu, and dragon ash. ayu and m-flo. ayu and bone-thugs & harmony. ayu and crazy ken band. etc. etc.

[micster]

No. I feel effeminate because of my long hair and blasting out happyhappyfuntime songs through massive speakers whilst my window is open so the public can hear

[noidea]

@ Furashubakku
Germany
Coldplay makes you gay and/or very girly in many stupid peoples opinion here.

[Aggar]

I like to listen all kinda music. Pop , Rock , Metal , R&B , Hip hop , u name it . .
btw , something pops up on my mind , Does anyone here like Enya? and If i listen Enya am i girly? I guess i don't , I have seen a lot of manly or masculine men that enjoy Enya's music.

[zyoeru]

Originally Posted by Aggar

I like to listen all kinda music. Pop , Rock , Metal , R&B , Hip hop , u name it . .
btw , something pops up on my mind , Does anyone here like Enya? and If i listen Enya am i girly? I guess i don't , I have seen a lot of manly or masculine men that enjoy Enya's music.

In an idiot's preconceptions probably but not really. I like Enya. I'm a big fan of that sort of music. Enya, RURUTIA, KOKIA, etc.