"Femme" is a term used in the queer community to describe feminine traits an individual exhibits. The term is very popular among lesbian/bisexual women, but also has its place among gay/bisexual males. There is a growing movement of young people who dislike the terms "femme" and its masculine counterpart butch because they feel that they embrace gender stereotypes and are limiting in nature.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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7 comments:
the aliens are here and they love christ!!! plus: 'Conversation with Jesus!! search 'aliens', 'jesus'
um, what?
aliens?
femme seems derrogatory of effeminate, or is it just me?
Hey, I object! I identify as femme, and don't find it derogatory or indicative of 'weak' or simply copying heteronormative roles. I don't know about gay men that use the term (other than drag queens referring to being 'en femme', dressed in drag), but it doesn't seem any less valid than any other label I've heard used.
Just wanted to weigh in and say that as a feminist, I kick ass. As a femme, I can do it in heels.
Also... aliens? WTF?
@Lars Shalom--do what?
As for "femme," I identify as such. It's just a descriptive, and it beats the hell out of "who brought the straight girl?" My best friend gave me the descriptive "femme with working hands" because of all my DIY work. I like that.
I don't think "femme" is remotely derogatory unless you hate femininity. Of course, we see hatred of the feminine all over, from radical feminism (where "you need not" becomes "thou shalt not") to very conservative Christian sects to the Middle East. And that's not even addressing hatred of the feminine in *men*.
"Femme" is just the French word for "woman."
I thought the objection to the butch/femme thing was more from '70s feminism (with the rejection of gender roles) rather than something recent among young people.
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