In the past, men were considered the dominant force in relationships. Men were expected to provide for the family both financially and in terms of protection. They were the power that made decisions and had the final say. Even if this expectation is no longer shared by the public, there is almost an unspoken assumption that men are still responsible for these tasks. It's what a "real" man would do. In this society “virility is equated with power”. (106) This power is not only limited to relationships but extends to other aspects such as property, money, influence, etc. In some cultures, property, money and influence are obtained through dowries paid for by the woman's family so that the same woman who marries a man. Victoria Brownsworth would argue that “marriage is an unnatural state based on the dominance of one partner over the other.” Masculinity prides itself on power and dominance in a society that strives for equal rights for all. When power is a prerequisite for someone to be considered masculine, homosexuals will not be able to fit into that category because they are part of a minority that has not yet acquired power. Very few gay people have had that kind of power, like politician Harvey Milk and Apple CEO Tim Cook, yet “manly” is not often an adjective used to describe these two influential figures. Masculinity only applies to straight men despite all the characteristics a gay man might have to match what a normal man would say is