In My Own Words... Zenith Fulton

I COULDN'T DO IT ….. I JUST COULDN'T DO IT !!!!! I COULD NOT GO ANOTHER MONTH …..

I know you're wondering what i'm talking about. Well … if you haven't noticed … I DID NOT write an article last month. IT HURT ME. I HURT ME. I REALIZE IT. So … I COULD NOT do it AGAIN!!!!! I could not not make it my business to go to my safe haven and let it flow … IN MY OWN WORDS !!!!! If only you could understand how I am really out of my element HERE. SHOUT OUT TO Blaque/Out Magazine.

A LOT has happened in a month. In the world. In my own world. The good being overcrowded by the bad. Them AURAS be REAL.!! GET IN TUNE !!!!! Get In Tune!!! Get in tune! That's not why IM HERE (<---peep it?) this month. Another time - “Rain Check”.

I was asked what ‘Masc’ meant to me. I had to look it up myself because i already feel like definitions are just getting ridiculous if they weren't already before … to a certain extent. REMEMBER: I LOVE WORDS/ DEFINITIONS. (That's how I met my name/my SELF .!!) I don't vybe with the whole definition of a word altering or adding on another meaning to it. It just doesn't go for me. Slang is different. But to have something approved to be published as it mirrors societal norms and culture … I don't rock with that. I already don't approve/agree with the shenanigans of the system, of the world, of views, of beliefs, of A LOT. So my idea is to publicly put forth my own ideologies … as does the world anyways.

What does ‘Masc’ mean to me? - Well let me tell you one thing. I answered - TRAITS. That was my one word summary because my mind went everywhere and I didn’t have the time or the lines and i wasn’t going to cut myself short when i could just share it here - IN MY OWN WORDS !!!!! I planned to go into how both men and women are or could be Masc. Men and women take out trash, are in the Army, play football, braid hair, cook and clean, are mechanics, and obviously more. As I finally sat to start this article, I first looked up the definition of ‘Masc’. I was expecting it to be an abbreviation of masculine. I WAS FOOLED .!! Or was I?

According to the Urban Dictionary: “"Masc" fetishizes and exaggerates the notion of what it means to be manly, adding to the culture of toxic masculinity within the gay community, especially among men of color.”. According to Wiktionary: “Noun. masc (plural mascs) (LGBT) A person whose gender (identity) is masculine (but who is not necessarily a man).”. According to Collins Dictionary: “1. possessing qualities or characteristics considered typical of or appropriate to a man; manly, 2. Unwomanly”. According to Merriam-Webster: “having qualities appropriate to or usually associated with a man”.

NOW DO YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN ?!! I can't believe this bs definition of whatever a Wiktionary is. Should be named Wankstanary. One of the reasons for all the confusion in the world is being brainwashed from regulation. We grew to believe this and believe that. How many of us have checked origins. How do you know who made the word spelled as such and defined it. Or made a definition to something and put a word to it. I'm pretty sure that's done too. So, I'm cautious. As should you. I'm freeing myself constantly - everyday. You may think or say ‘The other day you said this or identified as that’ … LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR: I AM ME ….. ZENITH IMHERE !!!!! PREFERRED pronoun(s) (for people who tend to use pronouns): he/him. When I address myself as a transman, it's because TRANSMEN ARE THE SHIT.

On a serious note, I have to address society as such so that they can go through their own confused compartments of understanding BEFORE I can correct them and drop jewels.. Medically and surgically transitioning DOES NOT make me or anyone else any less of who I am or who they are. My core - my mind and spirit - my beginning and end, has ALWAYS been the same.

In conclusion … I won't define a word I don't agree with when it's used to define someone or something. I am me. You are you. We all have different characteristics that society puts into a box of masc and femme. GET OUT THE BOX .!! FREE YOURSELF .!! Say F*** THE WORLD the same way you blow other things off with a F*** it. And really mean it. Not just when it benefits you. That causes major confusion as well. INCONSISTENCY. We've fallen off from the spirited community we once were because we've distanced ourselves from our own self and others. Old and young. No ones excluded. I REFUSE TO NEGLECT MYSELF ANY LONGER. I don't care how anyone looks at me or how they may talk about me. At least I’m living my authentic life, i’m happy, i’m carefree, and most of all…

I AM PROUD2BME!!

Zenith is one of the founding members of and is still an active part in Next Generation Men of Transition. He visits schools, appears in podcasts and media to help educate the community, writes the “In My Own Words…” column monthly and owns his own Locksmith company that services Upstate New York.