Viva Glam submission
I wrote the following piece as a contest entry for a (gay friendly) Viva Glam makeover. When I was done writing I realized that while the piece itself is about why I want a makeover, I want to continue it. I somehow managed to write the evolution of my sexuality and gender, and I'll be honest, I'm kind of impressed with myself. The writing may be simplistic, but I think I got my point across. Because it was for a contest I had to end it with a "here's why I want it" paragraph, but I think I'm pretty sure I'll be taking out that paragraph and adding more.
Once upon a time there was a little Jewish girl named Jessica. Jessica was a good orthodox Jew and wore ankle-length skirts and long sleeves year-round, despite the fact that she hated them and wanted to wear pants. “Screw skirts” she said, “I want to wear a suit like my dad!” But mom never let Jessica have a suit, and so she grew up never wearing clothes that made her feel happy.
And then Jessica went to college and put on a pair of jeans. Shortly thereafter Jessica became Jess and walked out of her stuffy closet, but alas, she didn’t know how to dress! Jess experimented with performance fleece, tight and loose jeans, button-up shirts and even (gasp!) goth clothing. Despite the experimenting, she always seemed to end up with t-shirts and jeans, which, while comfy, never quite seemed to be her.
As Jess grew older she still had a closet full of t-shirts and jeans. Even though the t-shirts were funny, the closet was still sad. Jess didn’t quite understand why her closet was sad, until one day this year she realized it was because she was still in it. Jess always knew that she wasn’t supposed to be a girl, but it was always a terrible secret, and she didn’t know that there were others out there who felt the same way. It took Jess a long time to even peek out of her second closet, and she’s still halfway in it because her family is afraid of how she looks. Jess’s family doesn’t understand that she can be a boi and still look good and be Jess. They think that if she doesn’t dress like a girl she will never get a job. They are afraid of Jess and for Jess.
If Jess had a Viva Glam makeover it would help her family to see that it’s possible to look good while still being true to herself. It would also help her present a more confidant and professional appearance to potential employers. A Viva Glam makeover would be the best thing Jess has had in a year full of pain and doubt. And maybe, it will help Jess come all of the way out of her closet so it’s not so sad any more.
Once upon a time there was a little Jewish girl named Jessica. Jessica was a good orthodox Jew and wore ankle-length skirts and long sleeves year-round, despite the fact that she hated them and wanted to wear pants. “Screw skirts” she said, “I want to wear a suit like my dad!” But mom never let Jessica have a suit, and so she grew up never wearing clothes that made her feel happy.
And then Jessica went to college and put on a pair of jeans. Shortly thereafter Jessica became Jess and walked out of her stuffy closet, but alas, she didn’t know how to dress! Jess experimented with performance fleece, tight and loose jeans, button-up shirts and even (gasp!) goth clothing. Despite the experimenting, she always seemed to end up with t-shirts and jeans, which, while comfy, never quite seemed to be her.
As Jess grew older she still had a closet full of t-shirts and jeans. Even though the t-shirts were funny, the closet was still sad. Jess didn’t quite understand why her closet was sad, until one day this year she realized it was because she was still in it. Jess always knew that she wasn’t supposed to be a girl, but it was always a terrible secret, and she didn’t know that there were others out there who felt the same way. It took Jess a long time to even peek out of her second closet, and she’s still halfway in it because her family is afraid of how she looks. Jess’s family doesn’t understand that she can be a boi and still look good and be Jess. They think that if she doesn’t dress like a girl she will never get a job. They are afraid of Jess and for Jess.
If Jess had a Viva Glam makeover it would help her family to see that it’s possible to look good while still being true to herself. It would also help her present a more confidant and professional appearance to potential employers. A Viva Glam makeover would be the best thing Jess has had in a year full of pain and doubt. And maybe, it will help Jess come all of the way out of her closet so it’s not so sad any more.