ABC Nightline

[Steve63130]

Many of you have probably seen the media hype that's going around about tights for men. Most of you probably know that I'm a partner in G. Lieberman & Sons, and the creator of Activskin (formerly Comfilon) legwear for men. Well, today, I got a call from a Cassandra Arsenault in New York City, one of the producers of ABC's Nightline program. She interviewed me and asked a lot of good questions. She's trying to determine if, with all the media hype lately about tights for men, there is a story here that their audience would be interested in. Near the end of the half hour phone conversation she asked me if there are other men I know who would be willing to speak to her about their interest in hosiery. I assured her there were many. I also told her that there was an interest in a lot more than just hosiery. She knew that of course, and we talked about men's purses, cosmetics, nail polish, skirts, and of course high heels. I told her about this web site and she thought it was cool. She's very interested in speaking to fashion-forward guys about their interest in any formerly female-only apparel, shoes, and cosmetics. Now here's your homework: I ask each of you, if you are willing, to contact her (preferably by phone, but by email if you can't call) and introduce yourself, tell her you heard from me that ABC was interested in talking to hose-wearing and high heel wearing men, and that you definitely support the concept and participate as a frequent wearer (hopefully in public, but even in private is ok). You don't have to be an Activskin customer, and I'm not asking for Activskin endorsements or testimonials (but if you want to say something favorable, that's fine). She just wants to hear from you and pick your brain about your interest in hosiery, women's footwear, purses, nail polish, skirts, etc. Please give her a call at her office, 212 456 4977 (This is not a toll-free number.) or email her at Cassandra dot Arsenault (at) ABC dot com. Please take notes and come back here and post the gist of your conversation with her and any comments you might have. This could be a great opportunity for us to get the word out to much of the public that ordinary guys like us want to and in fact already do wear high heels (and perhaps other things) as guys in male mode and there is nothing wrong with adopting such a change in fashion. She gave me her approval to list her phone and email on this post. Please don't abuse it. Steve

[scrappycoco]

I may just drop her a line. Just to offer up my thoughts on me in heels and what not.

[Shafted]

I know I will too Steve. Thanks.

[ilikekicks]

Hmm.. I think I'll ring her. Maybe see if she might hit up a gig?

[Shafted]

Made email contact. Sent the following:

Hi Cassandra,

Steve over at G. Lieberman & Sons left a post requesting guys who would be willing to be interviewed by you to contact you. I'm a straight heterosexual guy from central Maine who wears stiletto boots and pumps with my carefully chosen male clothing as well as well as sheer and opaque hosiery in public and in the workplace (my job as a movie theatre projectionist). I'm also a new moderator at www.hhplace.org. My username there is Shafted (my real name is ******* ******). I have been wearing stiletto heels in public for seven years and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. They are just too much fun. I also keep a shiny nail hardener on my fingernails. It's amazing how well my personal style has been received in my neck of the woods. I expected tolerance but gained acceptance as well. People seem to really like what I done with my own personal style and I've received much encouragement to continue, including my boss at my job.

My goal is to demonstrate to the public that a guy wearing high heels can be a very positive image. I have been very active on the internet as well to bring the concept of guys wearing high heels and other forms of normally women's attire into the male wardrobe to the general public. And just like the ladies we guys are finding out what a big boost in confidence wearing heels can be to those brave enough to venture out into the real world in them.

I plan on calling you in the morning but if for some reason you want to beat me to the punch I can be reached at ***-***-****. I have included some photos of me with my own quirky sense of style (all taken in a public setting, my workplace).

Looking forward to talking with you and here's to those wonderful wearable works of art that are high heels.

Bill

[Shafted]

I gave her a call this morning. Had to leave a voice mail. She has my number.

[hoverfly]

To bad for me I'm really video camera shy! Dam things jack up my BP

[h.heelman]

Awesome! Go gentlemen. I won't be calling but just want to express my support for you guru's out there in public on the cutting edge giving her a call. I would really like to see more publicity (any actually) on hose, heels etc. for regular guys. With enough good feedback maybe something will happen. Steve: I didn't know you were associated with G. Lieberman & Sons. I recently bought several Activskin products for the first time after having found them a while ago. They're great! I especially like the Hi Glide pantyhose with the fly. I will definitely be buying more and would recommend your products to anyone......

[Shafted]

Have a response from Cassandra: Great! Thanks so much for sharing… Do you use other traditionally feminine products such as ---“man-scara” guy-liner, man purses, mandals, meels, etc etc….do you use any of these other products? Just tell me a little bit about yourself and why you wear manty-hose etc. And where do you purchase these products? Also—is there a store, or a fashion expert, or an event that you are familiar with that use all these products? Let me know Will post as more comes though.

[Shafted]

Reply to Cassandra: Virtually all of my wardrobe comes from the men's department including my Levis Ex-girlfirend skinny jeans. Now the traditionally feminine products I do use? Well my 20 pairs of stiletto pumps and boots are all from the women's section. And when I'm wearing pumps I usually wear No Nonsense knee highs plucked from the local drug store. Sometimes I wear thigh high stocking and fishnets with my pumps. My favorite look for myself however is stiletto boots with skinny jeans. I don't wear any makeup of any kind. I do use Sally Hanson Advanced Hard as Nails clear nail hardener. I also buy that from the local drug store. That stuff rocks. No piercings or tattoos, not my thing. I do have long hair about collar bone length. Hosiery and shoes I buy online or locally in stores (if they have any styles I like). It's funny but I haven't particularly cared for any of the alternative fashions marketed to men (including high heels). What I care for even less are the stupid names given these items. Meels? Manscara? Oh Please. The names themselves are a turn off. What a way for the fashion industry to stupidly sabotage their own business. A little about me? 47 years old white male, semi retired, enjoying life to the fullest. Spending my free time as an advocate of male fashion freedom. Great family, great friends and a general public that accepts me for who I am. If you have any further questions, you have my phone number and email. I'm always happy to give input on this subject. Thank you, Bill

[Shafted]

Her reply: You say you’re an advocate for males fashion—do you speak at other events or do anything publicly? Also are you in touch with any fashion experts that have your same views. Are you married with children by any chance?

[Shafted]

My response: Right now my activities are mostly limited to on-line work where I visit public forums, blogs and online articles (I use the username Shafted on these online sites as well). Publicly for now, people see me. I have been on stage in stilettos where I introduced Maine Humorist Tim Sample. I'm out there, people only need ask. I answer as honestly as possible all their questions on the matter. Given the opportunity for public speaking on the topic, I would do it. Just hasn't happened yet. I haven't been in contact with any "fashion experts". I honestly don't know the industry well enough to know any. Single, no children that I'm aware of. BTW: Did the pictures come though okay on my first email?

[scrappycoco]

Think I may just drop her a line.

[kneehighs]

I just talked to her for 12 minutes.

[Shafted]

I sent her the following pics in my first email to her. Also sent her links to a few of the latest online discussions.

http://wizzley.com/men-who-love-womens-shoes

http://www.sodahead.com/living/should-men-wear-high-heels/question-2093163/?psort=recent

http://izzym.hubpages.com/hub/Men-Have-The-Right-To-Wear-High-Heeled-Shoes

[Shafted]

I just talked to her for 12 minutes.

You're killing us kneehighs. As Steve said, Spill. lol

[scrappycoco]

Here is my email to her Hello Cassandra, My name is Steve a friend of mine (Steve the owner of Active skin) had posted on a website that I visit that you wanted to talk to some men like me. By this I mean men in high heels and other items that would be considered women's domain. So what would you like to know? I'll answer any questions that you would like to know. I'll give you a little bit of info about me to maybe help you along. 1st let me start by saying I'm a 38 year old strait male. I have been married for 17 yrs and am a father of 2 girls ages 16 & 12. I also work in the public safety field. I live in north central Ohio just south of cedar point.* A little about my style. Whatever I wear no matter what is I do so as a male. I don't try to pass myself off as the opposite sex. As far as my style I try to mix things from both sides of the isle. For the most part I wear women's jeans or pants. I try to then pair it with some sort of men's shirt. I then pair it with a high heel of some sort. Most of the heels that I wear a not flashy and too "girly" The heels I do wear are from the women's side of the isle and have an avg height of over 3". * I then wear pantyhose of some sort. For the post part I stick to the typical colors. I will also wear trouser socks from time to time. I also wear skirts to but not to often since I really don't have the confidence to wear them in public. Now as far as wearing I wear whatever I'm wearing where ever I want to, but at the same time I also use my head. I think about things and say to my self "could I see someone one else (male or female) wearing this where I am going? As far as work I couldn't wear heels and things to work because of the nature of my job. For the most part all of my coworkers male and female know how I dress and are cool with it. I have even had a few of the women tell me that is they had my legs that they would never wear pants. So this a brief look into my style. Feel free to email mail me any questions that you may have I will be glad to answer them.* Steve G Ps* If you would like I can email you a picture of what I would consider my style. Just let me know.* Sent from my iPad I'll let everyone know what she says if she says anything.

[Bubba136]

I gave her a call this morning. Had to leave a voice mail. She has my number.

It will be interesting to learn just how serious she is about this project. If she doesn't respond, we'll know she's not interested.

Please keep us up to date.

[Shafted]

It will be interesting to learn just how serious she is about this project. If she doesn't respond, we'll know she's not interested.

Please keep us up to date.

I have Bubba, she has chosen to communicate with me by email. All my correspondence with her is in this thread. She definitely is interested.

[Steve63130]

Oh, c'mon, Kneehighs! Stop teasing us! Tell us about the conversation and your impressions, good or bad. Hey, Bubba, for a guy with 10K posts on this forum, you get a lot of respect around here. How about giving her a call or email? This could be a good opportunity to bring our cause in front of more people. Steve

[kneehighs]

Oh, c'mon, Kneehighs! Stop teasing us! Tell us about the conversation and your impressions, good or bad.

Steve

hahaha! okay.

We talked for 12 minutes. She's very sweet and respectful. She went to school in New York and grew up with guys wearing tights beneath their shorts and didn't think it looked that bad. She also asked if I had seen the new Madonna video where the guys are wearing tights and heels. She also stated her understanding that gender roles are socially constructed stereotypes, citing the swing in heels originally being made for men to being marketed to women. She's also VERY internet and fashion savvy, so she immediately understood my reference to Anna Dello Russo, lookbook.nu, and Bryan Boy in our conversation.

She said she was aware of the New York Times article and the goal of her research was to determine whether there's a true "trend" behind men using products marketed towards women. She did mention her conversation with you Steve, citing you had discussed past media coverage and were waiting to see if this time the use by men really sticks.

She wanted to know where I went in New York to buy heels, if there was a particular public venue I visited to wear heels, and if there was an expert on the matter.

I just told her that I wear them now without being an advocate for the issue, believe that most guys don't do it because of shame, sent a couple of recent pictures of me, and concluded that the 15-25 year old age bracket is more open to the idea now because of the role of Social Media in exposing differences. She has my mobile number too.

edit: I did state and hopefully clearly I will not be a public advocate for the matter as I don't want to be discovered for my heel wearing, but for my career. I trust her adherence to journalistic ethics.

[HappyinHeels]

kneehighs, I am glad that you have made a media contact that appears interested but I would caution against any interest in adherence to journalistic ethics...it is all driven by money which is driven by ratings. While this may seem like a matter of human interest I see it as more of equal rights. That's always the true aim of any legitimate civil rights battle...equal treatment under the law. Usually the law comes way before widespread social acceptance. Keep in mind this inescapable fact; the lack of any like stories on woman wearing items commonly associated with men. Continue to engage your media contact but be on guard. All the best and keep us updated. HappyinHeels

[h.heelman]

Here's another idea to help Cassandra: I just read two great articles about regular guys in heels in this thread (started by Shafted)

http://www.hhplace.org/everybody/21774-most_promising_article.html

She could accelerate her research quite a lot by talking to the women who wrote these articles if she hasn't seen them already. They have already done their own research and may have other contacts, thoughts and ideas as well. We should make sure she has seen them. Perhaps one of you guys that have already been in contact with Cassandra could forward the links to the articles to her.....

[Shafted]

Thanks h.heelman. Already sent her the link a few posts back.

[ilikekicks]

She should just join the site here and ' browse '. Get an ' insiders ' view.

[Bubba136]

Hey, Bubba, for a guy with 10K posts on this forum, you get a lot of respect around here. How about giving her a call or email? This could be a good opportunity to bring our cause in front of more people.

Steve

Steve, between Shafted, Kneehighs, and several of the other members that have expressed interest in contacting ABC, I believe the subject will be adequately covered - from all angles. So I can't think of anything that I might be able to add. However if this young lady might want to see if she has missed anything after picking these guys brains, she certainly free to review all 10K of my postings to get "the rest of the story."

(PS. Ten to one odds that less than a week after KH meets this woman face to face- and, all other things considered -- he'll have her in the sack. I might say the same for Shafted but I don,t know him as well)

[Shafted]

No comment.

[ilikekicks]

(PS. Ten to one odds that less than a week after KH meets this woman face to face- and, all other things considered -- he'll have her in the sack. I might say the same for Shafted but I don,t know him as well)

Hmm.. Thats something to consider.

Shafted is no pimp. He may run a nice dark theater but..

KH on the other hand.. he might try and glamour her with all his intellectualism till she tosses him in the sheets just to get him to STFU .

To the both of them.. PICS! or it never happened!

[gusto10]

Recently I read on the conversation you had on the topic of tights for men. An issue which rouses many emotions. Interviews on this subject have been televised previously on the French television. But basically, the issue is whether garments are gender bound due to the way produced or due to a concept of which hardly anyone knows its origion. I do think it is the last, being Deutrimony 22:5 which has been the basis for psychiatrists like Binet and Jung to let Church law become a norm for deviation. In addition thereto there are many who do not realise that women are wearing lots of menstuff nowadays whilst nobody questions that. As soon as a men starts wearing a skirt, still common in non western societies, it raises a eyebrow. If one looks at the pictures of the Sun King Louis 14, one sees a man in tights. Heels are also worn in first instance by men, starting with the priest of old Egypt via equestrians in order to prevent the feet from shooting through the stirrups, in the Golden age of Europe the hight of the heel indicated ones importance in the society (red heels for generals and kings). Skirts for women were only introduced in the 19th century, trousers for women after the second World War (approx. 1960). Heels for men were normal during the flower power era. In all what iu now considered as deviant behaviour by some was normal just 50 years ago!

[Shafted]

I do think it is the last, being Deutrimony 22:5 which has been the basis for psychiatrists like Binet and Jung to let Church law become a norm for deviation.

Bah! Old testament law, doesn't apply unless your Jewish. If you're a christian and believe that crap, you have failed to grasp the meaning of the new covenant (testament). New supersedes the old. Fundamentalist christians may argue this, but they are your bible thumping nutjobs. Mental christians would be more accurate.

FYI: I'm a christian and I know this is wrong.