April 10, 2014

They ARE all transgender…

You might want to investigate the definition of "transgender."

That was the point of the photo essay on butch women that you linked to; tombois, diesel dykes, drag kings, he-shes, etc. All labels for masculine women whose gender identity and outward expression doesn't match the genetic sex they were assigned at birth; nor does it match society's opinion of what they should look like, based on traditional binary gender roles and stereotypes.

I suggested that a few of them might actually be in the process of transitioning, which is pretty common in the butch lesbian community.


I based my opinion on the women who have obviously got their breasts bound and at least one who is likely taking steroids. Another looks like she may have had a breast reduction. This is all clearly conjecture, based on personal experience, since the information provided is inadequate to confirm or deny my suggestion.

Nowhere did I say that all of these women are in the process of transitioning through surgical or hormonal means.

You seem to be saying that you're comfortable with butch women as long as they're not taking hormones or considering sexual reassignment surgery. That's a pretty tall order and not really fair to these women that you say you admire. Their inner identity struggles are outside your purview.

The diversity of butch women is vast and covers a broad spectrum. This photo project is an attempt to make masculine women a little less scary to straight people while reaffirming their right to exist within the gay community. Maybe they'll stop feeling the need to alter their bodies when society, as a whole, can begin to accept them for who they are. Sadly, that day is a long way off.

TYY

April 9, 2014

Well, MadrasT…

…as someone who also identifies as genderqueer, I find myself fascinated that you would openly defend this charade by redqueen. The very headline challenges the concept of transgender by calling it a trait. Redqueen even goes so far as to refer to gender issues as "bullcrap" on iverglas' blog:

So, really, could redqueen's disdain for transgender issues be any more transparent? But let's get back to you, MadrasT.

You refer to these butch women as members of your tribe and yet I'm willing to bet money that every single one of them is sexually attracted to women; something that makes them a little less 'your tribe' since you sleep with men.

I would even go so far as to guess that a few of them are in the process of transitioning, hormonally and/or surgically; something that you don't personally approve of, do you, MadrasT?

In fact, you believe that transgender people who opt for hormones and/or surgery have psychological problems. Something "your tribe" would probably throw you off the island for, if they heard you say it out loud.


~and~


Kinda' makes me question your spot under the transgender umbrella. Quite frankly, I'm ready to take your umbrella away.

So, let's get back to the purpose behind posting pictures of butch women in various stages of transgender transition, in the HoF group. Why do YOU think she posted it , "Misstee?"

I agree with you, that gender "expression" is not a "fucking joke" or "a source of mindless entertainment." You're actually making my point for me.

Maybe you can help me to understand why two people who have serious issues with the very definition of transgender, would feel that it would be copacetic to post this OP; and just maybe, while you're at it, you can explain how it fits within the HoF Statement of Purpose.

Everyone knows that the popcorn smilie means you're waiting to see how a thread is going to roll out, before commenting. In fact, I waited almost 6 hours for clarification.

After reading some of the comments at DUckies, I think my comparison to LOLcats is a perfect fit. It was never meant as anything more than a curiosity piece.

TYY

April 7, 2014

What is your interest…

…in "what a (lesbian looks) like now?" As a gay woman, I was unclear as to the intent behind your post; multiple images of genderqueer women, any one of whom could be me.

Your only explanation for posting a photo array of butch women pertains to a quote from the article, that you claimed would "reinforce the hierarchical structure of patriarchy." I expected to see a constructive discussion regarding your claim. Giving you the benefit of the doubt, I waited to see if your post would begin to make sense.

Quite honestly, redqueen, I was hoping that your OP came from a place of sincerity and sensitivity. Now, after reading your vicious response to me, I realize that was not the case. Your hit and run, image-heavy curiosity piece about butch women appears to be nothing more than the HOF version of 'Sunday LOLcats.'

TYY

April 7, 2014

redqueen…

...it appears that you've abandoned your OP…

…a blog exposé that challenges lesbian masculine gender identity by referring to it as simply a 'trait,' replete with photographs and stereotypes; whitewashed to appeal to "a broader, heteronormative audience" and posted smack dab in the middle of HOF. A bold move.

I was hoping that in your subsequent contributions to this thread, you might shed light on the intent behind posting a 'butch women' photo essay in HOF and highlight how it falls within the HOF statement of purpose.

As it stands, this OP feels more like an exercise in patronizing voyeurism than a legitimate opportunity for feminist discussion as it relates to the history of feminism.

I believe you when you say that you love the images you posted. Maybe you could elaborate on the 'why' of that proclamation.

You also state that "aggressive" and "dominant" are words that have been posited as replacement words for "butch." Perhaps you could weigh in on where this supposed suggestion is coming from and whether or not anyone is taking it seriously.

To reiterate, you posted a mouthful and then left it to languish. If there's a point to your OP, I wish you'd expound on it.

TYY