Are butches really a dying breed?

NitroChrys_Butch · 03-02-2014, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dub

For me, I didn't claim the identity of Butch until I was 40 years old and that's mostly because of the idea that I didn't want to be labeled, and therefore, stereotyped. It wasn't until I attended Butch Voices in 2010 where I learned about some of our history and finally felt like there are others out there whom I could relate to that I proudly embraced the Butch identity.

Where I am in the US (the Pacific Northwest), it seems as thought the younger generation would rather define themselves as Genderqueer these days. I wonder, though, if they knew more about our history whether they would feel the same as I and claim that identity as part of themselves.

Growing up, I didn't have any Butch role models so finding them later in life helped me find that part of me. Does that make sense?

So, what I'm trying to get at is, perhaps there are Butches out there who just haven't come to yet claim their identity. At least that's what I'd like to believe rather then the think about us dying away.

I proudly embrace the Butch identify. I have had the influence of a Butch Mentor who has taken the time to explain the history. It should never be forgotten. And, I agree that younger butches don't know the history because they don't want to or they don't realize its importance.

I think it is human nature to stereotype someone and put them in a box with a neat little label. While some might find comfort in that label, for MOST it is limiting. Whatever works. Sometimes, I think there is too much protest about a label. Wear it. Twist it. Flaunt it. Make it your OWN. OWN it ... create the label around yourself.

I don't believe it for a moment that butches are dying out. We are not dinosaurs. Perhaps, people's perceptions are changing and evolving. People evolve. We don't die out. We are adaptable and it may be all that label twisting that is muddying the waters a bit.

I am here. I am proud of the history. I ain't goin' anywhere and neither are My brothers.