by ltdchef

Created on: March 01, 2009   Last Updated: March 02, 2009

Historically, there have been two classifications for lesbians: Butch and Femme. These classifications have been, in the past, embraced by lesbians, who strive to live up to the image. Since these original classifications, several others have emerged that will be discussed later in this article. For starters, let's look at Butch versus Femme.

A "butch" lesbian typically favours pants over dresses, short hair over long, and masculine traits over feminine. A butch will take chivalry back fifty years to when it's appropriate to order dinner for a partner; hold doors; give up your jacket, and other paternalistic traits. A butch carries herself in a certain way: self sufficient and strong, a butch does not shuffle her way through life. Hobbies might include fixing old cars, watching sports, and other typically "male" pursuits.

A "Femme" lesbian is difficult to ascertain when out of her natural habitat. Many femmes are quite "straight looking", wear skirts, and generally appreciate the chivalrous nature of a butch counterpart. Shopping, nights out with girls, and gossip magazines are a particular favourite.

While we could stop our explanation of classifications here, why not take it one step further? There are so many other classifications we can get into: bois, lipstick lesbians, biker girls, chapstick lesbians, and granola lesbians are just as prevalent, and just as fun!

Bois can be described as Avril Lavigne's gay counterpart. Ties, short hair, sweater-vests and vintage sneakers perfect this look. Not to be confused with Butch, a boi is typically younger, and interests lean more towards the punk rock and alternative lifestyle scenes. Piercings and tattoos are a requisite to join this club.

Lipstick lesbians are easily confused with femmes, and the two can overlap. While a femme is not necessarily a lipstick, a lipstick is usually a femme. Lipstick Lesbians are typically "into" the fashion scene, and can somehow roll out of bed looking like a million bucks. As indicated by the name, makeup is a must, and a lipstick will never leave the house looking sub-par.

Biker girls are fairly self-explanatory. Generally, but not necessarily, butch, bikers own at least one motorcycle and much of their social life revolves around friends with the same general interest. Wardrobe includes leather, bandannas, jeans, and 'wifebeaters'.

Chapstick lesbians are another difficult-to-determine type of lesbian (that is, when in the straight world). Often sporty, they dress casually and are more likely to wear chapstick than lipstick. They will don the femme threads when the situation demands, but are more comfortable in jeans and a hoodie.

Finally, the granola lesbians. Uber-feminist, planet conscious and usually vegetarian, these lesbians rarely believe in television, shaving, non-organic foods or footwear other than birkenstocks. While we can learn a lot about social responsibility from granolas, they frequently put off the average person (or even lesbian) with very strong, polar views.

Butch and Femme have been the typical distinctions of the past, but as gay and lesbian culture melds into the mainstream, subsets of classifications have allowed more classifications.

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