Definitions

Butch: Used as an adjective - "I'm butch" or "I'm a butch woman" as opposed to a noun "I am a Butch". A culturally defined masculine female. The masculine gender expression can fall anywhere on a continuum that includes any and all of the following: masculine mannerisms, male clothing, haircuts, tastes, interest pursuits, thought processes and view of the world. May or may not be sexually aggressive (do-er vs. receivers). Is comfortable with the term "woman" as applied to themselves. Runs the gamut from "butchy woman" to "soft butch", "butch woman" "butch".

Here are some useful information and definitions that you may find helpful in self-identification or to help explain your community to people who do not understand or are unaware of the various identities.

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Used as a noun - I am a Butch. Most masculine of the Butches - may pass as male without actually trying. May identify as transgender, that is identifying outside of the gender usually associated with females and will often be seen as male by the outside world. Does all or most of the above in masculine gender expressions. May or may not be sexually aggressive. Will not be made love to as one would a "woman". Will derive sexual pleasure from pleasing partner and will not allow "womanly" genital touching or penetration. Will have questioned their gender at some time in their lives. Will not be comfortable with their female body. May think of Butch as a separate gender from man & woman.

A woman who loves women emotionally, spiritually and physically. Identifies as a woman, wommin, womyn, wimmin (or any other variations). Generally seeks out other lesbians but may also be attracted to butches and/or femmes. May be androgynous (neither masculine or feminine) looking and acting. May call herself a dyke.

A lesbian who expresses the cultural norm for feminine appearance. May or may not wear makeup, heels, dresses. No particular personality traits: runs the gamut from soft, sweet and passive to bold, brassy & aggressive. Is attracted to andros, lesbians and other feminine lesbians. Is very comfortable with her female body and identity as a woman. Can be very uncomfortable with the Butch-Femme identities and will not label herself Femme.

A lesbian/queer woman who expresses the cultural norm for feminine appearance. May or may not wear makeup, heels, dresses. No particular personality traits: runs the gamut from soft, sweet and passive to bold, brassy & aggressive. Is very comfortable with her female body and identity as a woman. Embraces the Femme identity and may consider it separate from lesbian identity. May be attracted to other femmes as well as all types of butches, FtM's and andro lesbians. Femmes and High Femmes who desire only FtM's or Transmen may identify as Transensual Femme.

A queer woman who expresses the cultural norm for ultra-femininity - makeup, dresses, heels, hair, nails. May not identify as a lesbian if her desires are exclusively for Stonebutches and FtM's.

A person who walks through life as another gender not associated with their birth sex; crosses cultural gender boundaries. May identify as a "female man" or "TransMan". Will be recognized at least part of the time by others as men.

FtM or TransMan - a female born person who takes testosterone and/or has surgery to create a male looking physical body. May simply identify as a straight, gay or bisexual man depending on his desires or may feel his identity is simply "transman or FtM. Many live in "stealth mode" - that is, they live as men and not part of the queer community.