#3: WHAT TYPE OF LESBIAN AM I?

It is important for those who wish to understand the gay world to know the different characteristics lesbians refer to. You most have likely heard of at least one of these stereotypes. Knowing one's appearance and the classification you fit  into is imperative should you wish to experience and appreciate the gay culture.

You may wonder why the LGBT community identify women within these stereotypes. It is mainly to do with sexual references. If you are to live by the rules of the lesbian world, being identified by your appearance is a way of describing where you fit in (sexually) within the community.

Jane Lynch in Glee

Butch - A woman who adopts what would be considered masculine characteristics. Popularized by Jane Lynch and her character in Glee.

Ellen Degeneres

Soft Butch - someone whose appearance is generally androgynous. She may dress and act in a masculine manner, but be soft and more feminine in the inside. Also, a soft butch can be someone who falls somewhere between butch and femme, but closer to the butch side. Popularized by Ellen Degeneres.

Portia de Rossi

Femme / Fem - also known as a Lipstick Lesbian. Sometimes spelled Fem. Portia de Rossi is famous for.

Alexandra Hedison

Blue Jeans Femme - a woman who identifies as femme, or feminine, but prefers jeans and more casual clothing to dresses and skirts. Popularized by Ellen Degeneres' ex-lover, Alex Hedison.

Daniela Sea

Kiki - also known as Stem. A term that was used in the lesbian bar culture of the 1950s and 1960s to describe someone who was neither butch nor femme. At that time, the bar culture was very much into roles and most women were pressured to choose either butch or femme. Daniela Sea's character in L Word, "Bitch" says it all.

Need I say more?

Boi - For lesbians, a boi is a woman who is biologically female, but has a boyish appearance or presentation. A boi may be lesbian identified or s/he may be trans identified. For gay men a boi is a gay man who is boyish or young in appearance or identity.

TIME FOR THE EXCITING PART - #4: GAY SEX 101 (click on the green arrow):