Addressing the "Butch" Stigma

There are over 25 different words used in the Butch community use to identify their gender and sexual orientation: Butch, Trans-masculine, Genderqueer, Stud, and Aggressives, just to name a few.

"Some of the words are self-selected," said Jeanne Cordova, co-founder of LEX, the Lesbian Exploratorium and conference chair of the Butch Voices Los Angeles Regional Conference.

Other words have been reappropriated from formerly derogatory terms. Regardless of the word, an individual will use the term they feel best expresses their identity. The LEX and Butch Voices is all about embracing true identities.

Cordova is heading up a 90 person staff of performers, workshop leaders, and what she affectionately calls "hardcore organizers" to put together the Butch Voices Los Angeles Regional Conference. The conference is coming to West Hollywood on Oct. 8- 10 and is designed for those looking to fully express themselves in ways that transcends gender and sexual orientation. Educational workshops, speakers and mixers have been organized for participants.

According to Cordova, a third of the lesbian community is Masculine of Center or Butch. "We want to explain what the word [butch] means and why it shouldn't be a derogatory word," she said.

"Masculinity doesn't belong to men, just like femininity doesn't belong to women," said Cordova.

And yet there is still a lot of stigma associated with being Butch. There is discrimination against masculine-aligned women—especially in the work place.

Cordova says she has personally experienced difficulty in the professional arena; that many Butch women are often turned down for jobs or refused promotions as a result of their wardrobe choices or mannerisms.

Even within the LGBT community, Butch women have encountered discrimination and it has been one of the challenges Cordova faced in putting together the conference.

 "[There exists a] certain number of lesbians and women who don't like that the Butch tribes are gathering…but we knew that…and we're trying to change that," said Cordova.

Large strides have been made, Cordova believes, certainly when it comes to visibility. She hopes to encourage more women to look inward, ask questions, and be more honest and up front about being Butch.

A strong community is growing among Butch women and within the next few years, Cordova hopes to "…start educating [the straight community] that we're just regular people."

To find out more about the conference, workshops, speakers and accommodation options, visit the Butch Voices conference website.