[Lynn]

Not a butch, but...

my partner, who considers herself to be a butch woman, considers her gender to be female, not butch. It really depends upon the person. I am femme, but that isn't *my* gender. Others may identify differently. My partner is a butch woman whose sexual preference is feminine women or femmes.

As a butch woman, with very masculine qualities, she felt pressured to transition when she was in her twenties. Not from peer pressure from others, but due to her religious upbringing. She felt that it was sinful for her to be a woman, desiring other women. She felt that if she transitioned she would then be a man, and her desire for women wouldn't be a sin. Simplistic view, maybe, but that was her reality at the time. Fortunately, as she came to develop her own truths and beliefs, she became more accepting of herself, and now says she's glad that she didn't transition, as she loves being a woman who partners with other women.