Butch (lesbian slang)

"[7] In Of Catamites and Kings, Gayle Rubin describes a butch as those lesbians who use masculine mannerisms, and/or who wear traditionally male clothing, and/or who experience gender dysphoria.

[8] The defining characteristic that most scholars agree on is that butch people are lesbians who are to some degree aligned with masculine traits.

In the mid 20th century, butch people were usually limited to a few jobs, such as factory work and cab driving, that had no dress codes for women.

[citation needed] Although femmes also fought back, it became primarily the role of butches to defend against attacks and hold the bars as gay women's space.

[10] The prevailing butch image was severe but gentle, while it became increasingly tough and aggressive as violent confrontation became a fact of life.