Butch and Femme - Other Terms and Identities

Other Terms and Identities

Among the subcultures composed of butch gay and bisexual men is the "bear community". Gay men who are more femme are sometimes described as "flamers." Femmes are sometimes confused with "lipstick lesbians" which generally are understood to be feminine lesbians who are attracted to and partner with other feminine women. Conversely, a butch woman may be described as a "bulldyke" or simply just as a "dyke". There is also an emerging usage of the term soft butch or "chapstick lesbian." The usage of "dyke" has widened in recent years to encompass queer women in general. At one point, both were considered derogatory; "dyke" has become a more neutral term, but may still be taken as offensive if used in a derogatory manner or by those outside the LGBT community.