I remember the day David Bowie changed everything for me. It was 2018 when I revisited the David Bowie Is exhibition at the V&A in London, five years after it first opened. Back then, in 2011, I had come out as a lesbian and was still trying to figure out my identity. I had been dating men, including one who eventually left me, and felt an intense pull towards masculinity.
As I stood before the same video featuring Bowie's iconic 'Boys Keep Swinging' music video, something shifted inside me. For the first time, I saw myself in those three drag singers – their discomfort with their roles, their longing for freedom from the constraints of their costumes. It was a moment of profound connection, and suddenly, I felt like I was looking at my own reflection.
I realised that I had been living a lie, pretending to be someone I wasn't. The costume, the makeup, the societal expectations – it all felt suffocating. But Bowie's music had always been about pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and embracing individuality. As I watched those drag singers, now revealed as two of the world's greatest musicians, I knew that I wanted to break free from my own constraints.
The problem wasn't my clothes or makeup; it was my body. I wanted to be a man, not just a feminine one in drag. It wasn't an easy decision – I had spent years trying on different personas, testing the waters of masculinity and femininity. But that day at the V&A, something clicked.
I booked a doctor's appointment soon after, and over the next few years, my transition began. It wasn't without its fears and doubts, but as I shed the skins of expectation and societal norms, I finally felt like myself – strong, confident, unapologetically male.
Bowie's legacy lives on, not just in his music, but in the countless people he inspired to be themselves. He showed us that being a man isn't about conforming to certain standards; it's about embracing your own identity and being true to yourself. And for me, that's exactly what I've done – with David Bowie's guidance and encouragement, I finally found my way to myself.
As I stood before the same video featuring Bowie's iconic 'Boys Keep Swinging' music video, something shifted inside me. For the first time, I saw myself in those three drag singers – their discomfort with their roles, their longing for freedom from the constraints of their costumes. It was a moment of profound connection, and suddenly, I felt like I was looking at my own reflection.
I realised that I had been living a lie, pretending to be someone I wasn't. The costume, the makeup, the societal expectations – it all felt suffocating. But Bowie's music had always been about pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and embracing individuality. As I watched those drag singers, now revealed as two of the world's greatest musicians, I knew that I wanted to break free from my own constraints.
The problem wasn't my clothes or makeup; it was my body. I wanted to be a man, not just a feminine one in drag. It wasn't an easy decision – I had spent years trying on different personas, testing the waters of masculinity and femininity. But that day at the V&A, something clicked.
I booked a doctor's appointment soon after, and over the next few years, my transition began. It wasn't without its fears and doubts, but as I shed the skins of expectation and societal norms, I finally felt like myself – strong, confident, unapologetically male.
Bowie's legacy lives on, not just in his music, but in the countless people he inspired to be themselves. He showed us that being a man isn't about conforming to certain standards; it's about embracing your own identity and being true to yourself. And for me, that's exactly what I've done – with David Bowie's guidance and encouragement, I finally found my way to myself.
This is soooo relatable! I mean, think about it, people, if a pop icon like David Bowie could inspire someone to be their authentic self, why can't we do the same for everyone in our communities? It's all about embracing individuality and freedom of expression. Reminds me of our current debate on LGBTQ+ rights – it's time we extend those same rights to anyone who wants to express themselves without fear of judgment or persecution.
OMG u guys remember that iconic exhibit at the V&A in 2018? it was like a wake-up call for ppl like me who've been struggling w/ their identity! david bowie's legacy is still giving us life 
and his message of self-expression & individuality is so powerful 
. it's crazy how one exhibit can have such a profound impact on someone's life... Bowie 4eva 
anyway thats so cool u went thru that experience and it makes sense why you wanna be a man its not about the clothes or makeup its about being ur self. i feel like people r still discoverin who they r today and its awesome dat david bowie inspired u to do dat 
I can imagine how powerful that moment must've been for you 
Seeing David Bowie's music video come full circle and realizing your own identity must've felt like a weight lifting off your shoulders 
It's beautiful how he inspired you to be yourself, unapologetically 
His legacy is more than just his music, it's about the impact he has on people's lives 
You're a shining example of how someone can find their own identity and be true to themselves 
... like the person is really reliving their journey of self-discovery through david bowie's life 
and it's amazing that david bowie's legacy continues to inspire people to be themselves, even if it's not always easy 
... i think his message is so powerful: just be true to yourself and don't be afraid to take risks 
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he inspired a lot of people, especially those who felt like they don't fit into societal norms. it's amazing how he was able to break free from expectations and be true to himself 
what do you guys think?
. It's clear that Bowie's legacy isn't just about his iconic songs, but about breaking free from expectations and being true to yourself. I can totally get why revisiting that exhibition in 2018 was like a wake-up call for you... it's like Bowie's music has this way of tapping into your soul and making you realize who you really are. And honestly, it's amazing to see how he inspired you to take control of your own identity and start living as your authentic self 
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anyway, idk about david bowie is exhibition at the V&A but its defo not surprising ppl r still talkin about him 7 yrs later 
he was a true pioneer
anyway, just needed to share this amazing post with you all 
. i mean, we all know how much his music and legacy inspire people, but this is on another level 
. i'm literally getting chills just reading this... it's like he's speaking directly to your soul 
. anyone who needs a reminder that being yourself is the most powerful thing you can do should totally read this 
it's crazy how his music can connect people across time and space, right? for me, it's not just about being gay or trans, but about embracing individuality in every aspect of life. like, have you seen that documentary on tilda swinton? she's literally the embodiment of 'be yourself' 
. Is this person claiming that seeing the exhibit was the direct cause of their transition? Was there no other influence or factor at play? How do we know this wasn't just a coincidence? 
? How did his music directly lead them to realize their true identity? The narrative feels a bit too neat and tidy for my taste 
. I need more skepticism in this story 