Dykes And Lesbians To Watch Out For

[Jett]

I like being a dyke... a Big Ol' Damn Dyke.

Lesbian yep... but I'd be more likely to relate with and say "I'm a dyke". Mostly because where I come from it's used to describe "tough-ish" or more "aggressive" leather or jean and boot style lesbians and butches. I don't want to put my foot in my mouth so I totally acknowledge some don't use or see it that way at all.

I understand some's discomfort with the word too. One of my best friends is a couple generations ahead of me and she doesn't like "queer", because she was of time before it was re-claimed.

[Heart]

Lesbian, dyke, and feminist to boot.
Or as Hothead would say: Feh! Muh! Nist!

[BullDog]

Thanks everyone for posting. Hopefully those that don't care for the word dyke are not put off by it being here. Personally I like both dyke and lesbian. Dyke does have a certain defiance and toughness to it that I like. It's also been a term that has been shouted at me in a very derogatory and sometimes threatening way, so I definitely get both points of view.

Emmy, yeah I love the cartoon too, plus I was in search of a catchy title.

Metro, maybe we can start our own Most Wanted Loud Mouth Dykes And Lesbians To Watch Out For On BPF list! Ha!

Tony, thanks so much for stopping in. I know everyone feels differently, but it does mean a lot to me when trans guys who have been a part of lesbian/queer communities honor that as part of their past and present where it is applicable. The other day one of my trans guy friends on Facebook was reminiscing about good ole fashioned feminist dyke music from 30 years ago. It made me smile big.

Thanks everyone. Keep the great thoughts coming.

[PinkieLee]

Yep, Yep... a femme lesbian here

[AtLast]

Yup, I'm a dyke, a butch, a feminist and a queer! It all fits together for me. I claim lesbian as well along with dyke.

[Kobi]

http://www.alapine.com/

[Stoney]

this may be just what this site needed.

As long as we can remain respectful to each others space the better we will understand it.

I have read many threads on topics and lifestyles different from my own, but thats what I do read them. I try not to comment or poke my face and interject my opinion on things that arent my cup of tea. Sure sometimes I dont agree with some of the things I read , but I simply read something else.

I think a lesbian space can and should be included here. as well as a Trans zone,
I read posts in femme threads ,I may thank a post but I rarely comment because I dont feel it is my place to tell a femme my opinion on being a femme cause Im not. If we are talking about being female in general than , yes, I can relate and may comment.
I do not lurk other threads too often, but it is nice sometimes to get a better understanding of my B-F brothers and sisters, ALL OF US individually and in relation to the community. I honestly have educated my self a great deal on this site about transgender issues but rarely comment unless someone is, well for lack of a better way to say it , stirrin' up shit in an area I feel they have no business to really form an opinion, . Okay(I said lack of better words) I don't mean physically or on the site , every one has a right to be here but sometimes I feel people purposely jump in on threads to argue and such. likeif I went to a Male ID thread and started on about being a lesbian and how I think men are this or that....that crap is so unnecessary.
to each his/her own, Live and let live. I bet if we met each other face to face we would probably all like the hell out of each other and kiss and make up ya know?

we have a camaraderie and we have differences, differences that make us unique and individual, differences and similarities that bring us together.

I have scrapped off a little bit of my radical feminist persona , tried to change my wording when it comes to men in general but ....it doesnt change the way I feel a whole lot now I think I am comfortable with the views I hold with regard to feminism, men in general, women, lesbians,misogyny as well as how it relates to me and the men and womyn in "my" life

I think this " lesbian Zone" should be a safe open space where lesbians can speak freely about being a lesbian with out being challenged . For me there is no reason and never has been , to go to a Trans-space or a femme space for that matter, and start a debate with the people about how they feel about themselves.

Thank you bulldog, or Linus who ever it was that got this thread going.,

I think this may be the separation that helps to bring us all together.

It gives us the opportunity to demonstrate respect and acceptance, as well as support. I for one, will continue to keep my nose and opinion out of male - Id'ed threads.
There is a place to meet in the middle here,

I Think of the tall magnificent oak tree, it can stand all alone in the middle of the field, radiant and strong, or it can stand next to a towering green pine, red leaf maple, or a beautiful white birch.
Does this take away from its magnificence? is it no longer an oak tree? of course not!
It only makes it a important and necessary part needed to make up a colorful mighty and beautiful forest.


Namaste' all......
Peace and Love,
Stoney

[christie]

Originally Posted by Kobi

http://www.alapine.com/

Thanks, Kobi! This looks like a really cool place!

We might have to change our vacation plans.

[christie]

Originally Posted by Metropolis

I like being a dyke... a Big Ol' Damn Dyke.

*raising hand* My name is Christie and I am a Big Ol' Damn Dyke too. My exmotherinlaw once referred to me as a GD dyke. I smiled and said thank you.

Dyke, Lesbian. Both fit me rather well and I take immense pride in both along with woman, female, girl.

Glad to see the thread!

[MrSunshine]

Shit! Dykes and Lesbians to watch out for? I thought maybe they were running out into the streets or someone was throwing out in traffic. It's all good

[NJFemmie]

The word itself doesn't bother me - it does when non-homosexuals use it though. On a personal level, I'm trying to learn to embrace the word. Where and when I grew up, using it was not a positive thing - however, every now and then you may catch me using it as a descriptor.

Dyke *cringe*
Dyke *cringe*

*sigh*

DYKE *cringe not so much*

See? I'm getting better at it.

[Jett]

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

The word itself doesn't bother me - it does when non-homosexuals use it though. On a personal level, I'm trying to learn to embrace the word. Where and when I grew up, using it was not a positive thing - however, every now and then you may catch me using it as a descriptor.

Dyke *cringe*
Dyke *cringe*

*sigh*

DYKE *cringe not so much*

See? I'm getting better at it.

You work on that and then after a while I'll... um, Bulldog will call you a dyke and see how you react....

Metro

[NJFemmie]

LMAO, deal. And if I start getting a little defensive toward yo.... um, Bulldog, don't take it personal. I need time to desensitize.

[JustBeingMe]

And I just love them femme lesbians too. Yippie!!

[SuperFemme]

nobody better even think about saying they are checking it twice to find out who is naughty and who is nice.

[Pretty Woman]

I actually prefer to use the term dyke as part of my description (as opposed to lesbian I mean). It's more in folks' faces out and about in the world and, as a 'passing femme [dyke]' it jolts some of the homophobia in the world at large right up to the surface for everyone to see.
I would never let straight folks co-opt our word and use it against us. I've reclaimed it and love it and that's who I am.
As to lesbian, well the word kind of lost its power for me when lesbian began to mean only those folks who actually look straight (I'm talking now from a mainstream media POV). Never been one to light a candle and sing, 'We are gentle loving people..' as my response to how I am treated in the world. Guess I'm just a little more in folks' faces than that.

[cinderella]

So, just out of curiosity...would you call someone a dyke if she were a girly-girl, 'high-femme'?

I'm from the old school, and in my day the word 'dyke' was used for women who, from their attire and aggressive demeanor usually attributed to males, were thought of as 'butch', but more commonly called 'dyke'. The word, usually uttered by straights, was meant to be derisive and offensive - that is why I don't like the word. However, these days I'm seeing that the 'd' word is being applied to all or most lesbians no matter how they i.d.

Comments anyone?

[BullDog]

Originally Posted by cinderella

So, just out of curiosity...would you call someone a dyke if she were a girly-girl, 'high-femme'?

I'm from the old school, and in my day the word 'dyke' was used for women who, from their attire and aggressive demeanor usually attributed to males, were thought of as 'butch', but more commonly called 'dyke'. The word, usually uttered by straights, was meant to be derisive and offensive - that is why I don't like the word. However, these days I'm seeing that the 'd' word is being applied to all or most lesbians no matter how they i.d.

Comments anyone?

What you say is interesting Cinderella. It does seem when it is used derisively it's almost like "wanna-be man get out."

To me Dyke- in the reclaimed sense of the word- is about attitude and not appearance. Femmes certainly can have that strut too. I know of all types of women both on the more feminine and masculine side of the spectrum and in between who claim dyke.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by cinderella

So, just out of curiosity...would you call someone a dyke if she were a girly-girl, 'high-femme'?

I'm from the old school, and in my day the word 'dyke' was used for women who, from their attire and aggressive demeanor usually attributed to males, were thought of as 'butch', but more commonly called 'dyke'. The word, usually uttered by straights, was meant to be derisive and offensive - that is why I don't like the word. However, these days I'm seeing that the 'd' word is being applied to all or most lesbians no matter how they i.d.

Comments anyone?

I use dyke and have used dyke and have no shame using dyke.. I am pretty girly, not over the top but I have my good days. I am proud leather dyke for many a year matter of fact I was Sir's baby dyke for a good 4 of those years aggresiveness and all

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by cinderella

So, just out of curiosity...would you call someone a dyke if she were a girly-girl, 'high-femme'?

I'm from the old school, and in my day the word 'dyke' was used for women who, from their attire and aggressive demeanor usually attributed to males, were thought of as 'butch', but more commonly called 'dyke'. The word, usually uttered by straights, was meant to be derisive and offensive - that is why I don't like the word. However, these days I'm seeing that the 'd' word is being applied to all or most lesbians no matter how they i.d.

Comments anyone?

To me, "dyke" connotes an attitude and way of being, not a particular look. I am really girly. It's just me, not something I cultivate. My partner insists I am "a femme," and she can think what she likes. That's not really how I see myself. I'm told that I would look girly in a burlap sack, so it can't be the way I look that makes me a dyke.