Dykes And Lesbians To Watch Out For

[Pretty Woman]

I actually prefer to use the term dyke as part of my description (as opposed to lesbian I mean). It's more in folks' faces out and about in the world and, as a 'passing femme [dyke]' it jolts some of the homophobia in the world at large right up to the surface for everyone to see.
I would never let straight folks co-opt our word and use it against us. I've reclaimed it and love it and that's who I am.
As to lesbian, well the word kind of lost its power for me when lesbian began to mean only those folks who actually look straight (I'm talking now from a mainstream media POV). Never been one to light a candle and sing, 'We are gentle loving people..' as my response to how I am treated in the world. Guess I'm just a little more in folks' faces than that.