I
remember the 80's. I recall a time when being queer started to
become more public and more acceptable. Gone were the days of
sneaking down back alleys to get into the few gay bars,
and gone underground were the butches and femmes - somewhat of
a mixed blessing. There was more freedom to be queer. There was
more safety in the world at large, but it seemed to be accompanied
by rigidity within the lesbian community, and a demand that we
all appear androgynous. In part, this was due to the way the gay
liberation and women's liberation movements were entwined. The
ideology of women's liberation was ingrained in many aspects of
the lesbian community. The prevailing view
was that the oppression of women was centered around femininity,
that we had been conditioned to be weak and frail, and to gain
equality we must shed this cloak of femininity and move towards
a "one size fits all" androgyny. Men too, or at least progressive
men, were expected to move away from masculinity and towards the
egalitarian center of the gender spectrum. Thus, gender was seen
to be the culprit, the tool of the patriarchy, and any expression
of gender was frowned upon.
What
happened to the proud butches and femmes? They were scorned and
shunned by the new lesbian community. What a shameful era of lesbian
feminist history. Lesbian feminists thought that butch/femme relationships
and culture was an emulation of heterosexual models. Butches were
called "male-identified." Femmes were accused of buying into the
patriarchal view of women. At best, femmes were seen as stupid.
At worst, we were sell-outs. A new breed of dykes emerged who
championed personal relationships based on equality and sameness.
We donned a uniform of flannel and birkenstocks. We didn't shave
or wear makeup. Our lack of feminine adornment made us visible.
Due
to their rejection of feminine apparel and gesture, butches were
always visible. Now the androgynous women joined the ranks of
lesbians visible to the world and they too were recognized as
queer.
bars,
and gone underground were the butches and femmes - somewhat of
a mixed blessing. There was more freedom to be queer. There was
more safety in the world at large, but it seemed to be accompanied
by rigidity within the lesbian community, and a demand that we
all appear androgynous. In part, this was due to the way the gay
liberation and women's liberation movements were entwined. The
ideology of women's liberation was ingrained in many aspects of
the lesbian community. The prevailing view
was that the oppression of women was centered around femininity,
that we had been conditioned to be weak and frail, and to gain
equality we must shed this cloak of femininity and move towards
a "one size fits all" androgyny. Men too, or at least progressive
men, were expected to move away from masculinity and towards the
egalitarian center of the gender spectrum. Thus, gender was seen
to be the culprit, the tool of the patriarchy, and any expression
of gender was frowned upon.