Queer(y)ing Consumerism: Butch Identity Expression and Consumer Culture

When we think about how our identities are constructed and expressed, how often do we consider the importance of physical and material signifiers? For many butch-identified lesbians, physical and material signifiers play a strong role in expressing identity, requiring the consumption of commodities in order to be read as “butch.” But what happens when these resistant commodities become marketable? Perhaps the physical signifiers of butch identity are initially donned as resistance, but the line between being a resistor and being a passive subject becomes blurred when resistance or transgressive behavior requires participation in broader capitalist culture. When butch identity is predominantly caught up in expressions of style—through attention paid to desired attire and clothing—butch identity may become an identity simply of style, stripped of the historically significant elements of gender resistance and social activism. Building on Barry Brummett’s foundational work A Rhetoric of Style and Dick Hebdige’s Subculture: The Meaning of Style, this thesis will explore how butch identity and style are connected to capitalism and consumerism. While butch subjects participate in capitalist consumer culture within print and web media, it is primarily in print media where we see the complex relationships between style, identity, and consumer capitalism. Narratives of butch identity on the web, by contrast, are comparatively limited in their critical analysis, a finding that is surprising given the typical assumption that online spaces are more democratic or open for individual expression. An analysis of these media therefore addresses the tension between resisting and participating in dominant culture. By considering opportunities for disidentification in both contemporary lesbian print culture and butch online spaces, it becomes apparent that there are radical opportunities to queer the butch subculture’s relationship with consumerism and capitalism

Butch, Femme, or Neither? What Owning These Identities Means

Despite an increased awareness of the diversity of gender identities, butch and femme roles continue to be viewed as lesbian stereotypes that reinforce rather than challenge heteronormativity. This study explores how self-identified butch and femme lesbian women define themselves and how their identities influence their sexual/romantic relationships. Interviews were conducted with 20 lesbians who identified as butch, femme, or neither to learn what these identities meant to them. While the interviewees saw their identities as unique, a number of similarities emerged. This thesis analyzes the themes of conflict with a gender binary model, stereotypes of butch and femme, replication of heterosexuality, labeling stigma, family support, and finally romantic/sexual relationships. Women identifying as butch and femme attempt to defy the societal norms of what gender identity and relationship behavior should look like, yet they may unintentionally reinforce heteronormative gender roles

Masculinity in lesbian discourse: the case of butch and femme

This chapter explores the ways in which a lesbian community of practice perform a ‘butch’ identity. It uses discourse analysis to consider an interaction between them, showing a shared sense of self to be produced which rejects traditional symbols of femininity. It is argued that performing a ‘butch’ identity is not the same as projecting a ‘masculine’ self; instead, butch identity is a way of challenging typical expectations about (heterosexual) women and femininity. ‘Butch’ identity is more complex than the mimicry of maleness, as it is often interpreted; instead, it allows lesbian women to perform an alternative, queer female identity

Excuse me, Ma\u27am? That\u27s Sir to You! Perceptions of Butch Privilege in Contemporary Society

This thesis focuses on perceptions of butch privilege in the undergraduate student body at Georgia State University. Butch privilege is similar to traditional definitions of privilege, whether male, white or heterosexual. I define it as the unearned and unacknowledged privilege experienced by a butch lesbian (perceived or self-identified) due to her occupation of masculinity. In order to investigate this topic, an exploratory quantitative analysis of how perceptions of masculinity and status are associated with butch privilege was conducted. A survey consisting of questions regarding participants’ perceptions of how differential privileges are extended to masculine and feminine looking women were presented to undergraduate students during introductory sociology classes. I found that the privileges traditionally reserved for white males in society are perceived to be extended to white butch lesbians due to their occupation of masculinity

Fenton-Snell, Butch

Butch is 68 years old and was born in Youngstown Ohio, One of 6 children, Moved to Maine in 1980 to be with his husband. Family life was relatively normal for Butch in terms of coming out. However his father was not very emotionally available in general. Butch Knew he was gay from a very young age and did not feel as if he was ever confused about his sexuality. Butch later joined the military and was in the Vietnam War. Continued to move to different states and eventually ended up in Maine later becoming owner of Blackstones in Portland. The bar is no longer under his ownership but is one of the last remaining gay bars in Portland Maine. Butch is one of the original members of a group called Harbor Masters and continues to be an active member. Citation Please cite as: Querying the Past: LGBTQ Maine Oral History Project Collection, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ Collection, Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine, University of Southern Maine Libraries. For more information about the Querying the Past: Maine LGBTQ Oral History Project, please contact Dr. Wendy Chapkis.https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/querying_ohproject/1036/thumbnail.jp

Resisting and conforming to the ‘lesbian look’ : the importance of appearance norms for lesbian and bisexual women

Appearance is one way in which lesbian and bisexual identities and affiliation to lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) subculture can be demonstrated. ‘Butch’ and ‘androgynous’ styles have been used by lesbian women to communicate a non-heterosexual identity. However, some LGB appearance researchers have argued that there has been a mainstreaming and diversification of lesbian style in the last couple of decades, which has resulted in less distinction between lesbian and straight looks. This research draws on the Social Identity approach to explore contemporary style in lesbian and bisexual communities. Fifteen lesbian and bisexual women took part in semi-structured interviews which were analysed using thematic analysis. Although some participants reported a diversification of lesbian style, most used the term ‘butch’ to describe lesbian style, and a ‘boyish’ look was viewed as the most common contemporary lesbian style. By contrast, most participants could not identify distinct bisexual appearance norms. The data provide evidence of conflicting desires (and expectations) to visibly project social identity by conforming to specific lesbian styles, and to be an authentic, unique individual by resisting these subcultural styles

A Celebration

This address was delivered at the annual Butch Carpenter Scholarship dinner on April 15, 1983. At the dinner this year\u27s recipients of scholarships from the Alden J. Butch Carpenter Memorial Fund were announced. They are Jon Hollinsworth and Kelvin Boddie