Queer Masculinity
What is Queer Masculinity?
Queer Masculinity includes a wide range of queer identities such as lesbians, butches, transmasculine people, genderqueer people, non-binary people, trans men, gay men, assigned male at birth masculine presenting trans dykes, transgender butches, among others who have some varying identification with masculinity. As complicated as it is to define masculinity in our culture, queer masculine people gravitate towards what society deems to be the masculine side of the gender scale.
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Defining Queer Masculinity
Queer masculine people express or identify with what society has historically characterized as masculine. Characteristics associated with queer masculinity include wearing men's clothing or accessories (ties, suits, flannel, bold colors, pants, short hair, etc.). Other characteristics include identifying as a boy or man or as male or masculine, possessing stances or gestures associated with masculinity, an interest in sports or outdoor activities, and expressing independence and confidence. Other potential markers include taking on the social role of a father, husband, brother, or son. No single characteristic can solely define queer masculinity nor is any characteristic inherently masculine.
Furthermore, masculinity cannot be reduced down to how cis men have behaved since, in fact, queer masculine people have also historically been involved in the construction of masculinity itself. Historically, there have been amazons, tommies, female husbands, inverts, butch lesbians, and transmasculine people who have all contributed to the construction of masculinity. Cis men do not own or solely construct masculinity. Queer masculinity is also not owned by those who present or identify themselves as masculine. Feminine presenting or identifying people, non-binary and genderqueer people, and straight cis people can also express and/or identify with characteristics associated with masculinity.
"[I]t is crucial to recognize that masculinity does not belong to men, has not been produced only by men, and does not properly express male heterosexuality… [W]hat we call ‘masculinity’ has also been produced by masculine women, gender deviants, and often lesbians. For this reason, it is inaccurate and indeed regressive to make masculinity into a general term for behavior associated with males."
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— J. Jack Halberstam, Female Masculinity (241)
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Brief Historical Note on Queer Masculine Identity
Since the establishment of queer and feminist communities, masculinity has been a contested identification. Butch-femme relations and butch realities in lesbian communities have often been relegated to a position of dispute since they have been seen to be replicating oppressive gender relations. There is also considerable discussion about the incredible visibility of gay and cis men, often resulting in distrust towards queer masculinity. Finally, the invisibility of queer masculine people within queer communities and in society in general is palpable. Queer masculinity is often ignored by others and there is considerable widespread indifference towards queer masculinity. This invisibility of and indifference towards queer masculine people often leaves them feeling dispossessed not only from society at large but also from queer communities meant to support them.
The Twin Cities Queer Masculinity group is a response to these historic and current misrepresentations of queer masculine people. Our group allows us the ability to offer each other support, community, and a sense of solidarity with one another. It is a place where we share our experiences with each other and build a sense of comradery and understanding.
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