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Every now and then I love throwing on a pair of heels and strutting around like the princess I wish I was. Sometimes for good measure I’ll even throw on a bit of lipstick to complete the illusion.

And so I wonder why exactly it is that gay men feel compelled to wear makeup or dress and act more feminine. Or if not compelled, what it is about being gay that gives them the confidence to radiate androgyny.

Could it be because mainstream fashion (with gay men always at the forefront) has slowly blurred the line between male and female?

I recall the most recent Mardi Gras party, or at least what I can remember of it.

My friends and I all had our costumes picked out. Sequined hot-pants, knee-high boots — very masculine. And then came our beautiful fag hag with her big bag of makeup. What started as a bit of eyeshadow, quickly turned into lipstick, eyeliner and glitter — everything!

I think this sort of androgyny is a bit of fun. We feel comfortable enough in our sexuality to dress how we want. But like most issues, the plot thickens. What about guys who really do look like girls?

Australian model Andrej Pejic lives it every day.

Put simply, soft-skinned and feminine boys have been an image of beauty since Ancient Greek times. And if you have ever watched Brent Corrigan in action, you would agree.

Sometimes even the muscle Marys have flowing gold locks and sometimes even the cutest twink has a hairy chest underneath that sequined tuxedo.

Androgyny, at its core, is just someone being who they want to be, whether male, female, or whatever lies in-between.

By JESSE MATHESON