Gender Expression

QUEER CAFÉ LGBTQ INFORMATION NETWORK Gender Expression Gender expression refers to the ways in which we Women each manifest masculinity or femininity. It is usually an extension of our gender identity, our In describing lesbians (gay innate sense of being male or female. Each of us women), most people recognize expresses a particular gender every day, by the a spectrum of identity ranging way we style our hair, select our clothing, or even from “femme” (heels, the way we stand. Our appearance, speech, miniskirts, full makeup, purses, behavior, movement, and other factors signal that perfect nails) to “butch” (t-shirt, we feel (and wish to be understood) as masculine jeans, flannel shirt, short hair, or feminine, or as a man or a woman. not into hairspray and lip gloss). For some of us, our gender On the femme end of the expression may not match spectrum, lesbians are sometimes described as our biological sex. That is, “lipstick lesbians.” On the butch (stud) end of the while other people see us as spectrum, lesbians typically express themselves in being male or female, we a more tomboy or masculine way. may or may not fit their expectations of masculinity Femmes do not usually pass as lesbians unless or femininity because of the they are with a butch partner, because they way we look, act, or dress. conform to traditional standards of femininity. Otherwise, you usual can’t tell that a femme Butch and Femme lesbian is gay. In a couple, she is typically the girlier one in the relationship. “Butch” and “femme” are terms used in the lesbian and gay subculture to ascribe or Men acknowledge a masculine (butch) or feminine (femme) identity with its associated traits, In using the femme-butch behaviors, styles, and self-perceptions for both spectrum to describe gay men, men and women. The terms are used as a people might observe the more descriptor of one’s appearance or mannerisms effeminate, flamboyant, campy, and not for one’s desire or identity. girly traits at one end (femme) and the more stoutly, manly, “Butch” and “femme” are terms masculine traits at the other end used to describe a person’s (butch). gender expression, interactive performance, or public On the femme side, gay men presentation. And it is important might be more stylish and meticulously groomed, to remember that one’s gender and referred to as a “twink” or an “otter.” expression does not always Meanwhile, on the butch side, a gay man might match one’s gender. be more rustic and brawny and referred to as a “hunk” or a “stud.” “Femme” usually describes a person whose public presentation is more feminine or girly. Gay men might appear straight in appearance, “Butch” (stud, dyke, masc) usually describes grooming, and mannerisms and express someone whose presentation is more masculine themselves as conventionally masculine. They or manly. Both men and women may even prefer might appear as a biker or lumberjack type and to express themselves in an androgynous way, express themselves in a hypermasculine way. which might be viewed as more gender neutral. They might appear as fastidious and ostentatious and express themselves in an effeminate way. QUEER CAFÉ | LGBTQ INFORMATION NETWORK | WWW.QUEERCAFE.NET .

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