Wlw History - Tumblr Posts

“’Don’t women who identify as butch really want to be men?’

I think ’identifying as a butch woman’ really says it all, ‘specially the woman bit. For me, and others like me, butch is very separate from male. I id very strongly as female and see female/woman as my gender identity and my butch identity is an extension of this. I think you can display masculine traits/characteristics without being/iding as male or without losing any sense of being female/woman. 

When I transitioned 8-9 years ago there was an awful lot of pressure for me to conform to a very stereotypical female image and role, ie Het Barbie. I tried to do this - I didn’t really see any other options at this stage - but it just didn’t feel right, so I set out to find out what was right for me. […] It was a difficult time as I had to come to terms with a lot of stuff about myself that I didn’t like but I think I am a better person for it. I came out as a dyke about 4 yrs ago […] but I still wasn’t feeling right about me and who I was.

It wasn’t until someone suggested l read some books on butch/fem that I realised how I fitted in. It was amazing to read about women who felt a lot like I do - who id strongly as women but acknowledge their masculine side in a positive way.”

Kylie Paintain, in a segment about butch trans women written for Unapologetic: The Journal of Irresponsible Gender in 1997

You made fiz happy with this ❤️ here is a cookie for you 🍪

Two couples of women kissing (1900s)