I would like to address an article published April 7 by Clay Rogers specifically in which he concludes that “our men [are] emasculated.”

A quick Google search returned the definition of emasculated for me and the top definition is as follows: “make (a person, idea or piece of legislation) weaker or less effective.” I would just like to take a moment to iterate some things that are not emasculating to perhaps educate M. Rogers’ and others and help them reclaim their masculinity.

Things that are not emasculating: Loving your country but admitting it might have been a bit off base. Not being a Christian. Progress. Same-sex marriage — also known as regular marriage that happens to involve two ladies or two gentlemen. Doing your job as a politician to support the will of the people, and consequently amending laws that the populace finds unacceptable. Resisting laws that permit people to be treated as less than others just because the “others” own a damn pizza parlor. Apologizing for mistakes and owning your shame. Listening to the “chants and jingles” of the people and honoring the intent of your political position to serve the people.

While that sums up most of what Rogers’ article seemed to think was weakening men, I think we’ll all benefit if I go a little further. Things that are also not emasculating: liking pink … it’s an excellent color, not liking violence, not being athletic, being nice to people, strong women, liking guys if you’re a guy, or gals if you’re a gal, liking flowers and unicorns and stuff.

Has this cleared anything up? Of course there are some things that definitely are emasculating, given our definition. I’ll list some of these as well: being threatened by social equality, being a d— to people who don’t share your religious views, being upset that two people love each other just because both their private bits dangle, or both don’t. Their sexy parts really aren’t your business anyway. Resorting to violence as a means to a solution (Rogers, thank you for understanding this point). Being threatened by women. Degrading people who like flowers and unicorns and romantic comedies and the like.

I know it can be hard sometimes to keep it all straight, so I hope this helped. But if all of this was too much to process just remember to not be an a–hat and you should be good to go, thanks.

– Tanner Hildebrand, Professional Manly Man