What makes a Butch "Butch"

[girl_dee]

Originally Posted by Miss Tick

This got me thinking how for some people it doesn’t seem to be okay for masculine people of any ilk including butches to wear feminine clothing or participate in any ritual deemed feminizing, but for feminine people there doesn’t seem to be this same rigidity. I don’t know if it has to do with masculine borders being patrolled more stringently but that would be my guess. Male has more currency than female so it stands to reason it would be more highly valued and more aggressively monitored. I believe this is what is behind the hatred of both female masculinity and masculine femininity in general.

I remember a past partner of mine expressing her displeasure and concern over my wearing blouses to work ( i changed jobs while we were together and had to get dressed up more). She felt it took away from my butchness. I doubt much of anything could take away my butchness but that’s just me.

I also painted my toenails orange one summer. I thought it looked good with my tan. Again my partner was not a fan. I have never done my fingernails I just don't think I would like it much or do it well. I had enough trouble coloring inside the lines as a kid. Toenails are more forgiving.

My wife doesn't care what I do. She has encouraged me to let my hair grow cause she loves the curls. I don't get the feeling she things my butchness is connected to anything outside myself.

i'm so glad you posted this. i was wondering the same thing. i have also been told that something i did made me *less femme*. i don't have long nails, that was *less femme*.

Also, When femmes dress up in the butch's white cotton shirt and wear boxers it's all cutesy but if a butch wants to grown long hair or have a manicure they lose the butch card? i don't think so!

My butch could wear/do/say/grow anything She wants and She is still butch. i could pull the engine from your truck, run power tools, curse like a sailor, while wearing Carharts and a baseball cap and not be anything but femme because that is who i am.