Female Identities & Expressions I find Attractive and/or Inspiring –
Unconventional
Non-traditional
Hybrid of stereotypical / traditional feminine and masculine traits
Subversive
Transgressive
Traditional femininity performed with empowerment and awareness (Empowered Femininity)
I am intrigued as to whether there as been any academic study/research on the lipstick lesbian identity. Have researchers surveyed women who identity as lipstick lesbians? Have researchers discussed how these women experience and express their sexuality or issues such as harassment from heterosexual males or the assumption that they pass as heterosexual? I have read a few blogs and websites regarding this identity and these issues, but I have yet to see any papers. I am going to dig further.
Empowered femininity
I think retro style pin-up girls (neo pin-ups) and burlesque (neo-burlesque) dancers embody this sort of sex appeal.
Heart, soul, beauty, personality, elegance, confidence, strong sense of female sexuality, femininity etc.
Pin-up girls (especially those by Vargas and Gil Elvgren) had a huge influence on me. In the Pin-up girl there is an awesome combination of sex appeal, femininity, elegance and self awareness.
Femme Fatales from film noir movies and detective novels as well embodied this with their strong sense of female sexuality, glamour, toughness and an element of “deadliness,” hence the name fatale.
Following on from my post Femme Identity, I am curious to know the opinions of other lesbians (femme, butch and non-identified) about this gender identity and how this is perceived.
I have a very positive view. And I particularly admire when femme identified lesbians state that their gender identification has little to do with who they attracted to, but rather how they wish to express their sexuality. Personally I think the femme identity is empowered femininity, a form of femininity (expressed through feminine dress, hair and make-up) expressed along with a strong statement regarding sexuality, and an embracing of and power over their own body, image and sexuality, which is feminist.
I find the neo-burlesque and a neo-pin up movements expressions of empowered femininity. These are subcultures, lifestyles and fashions where modern women, feminist women, can embrace their femaleness and express their female (and lesbian) sexuality in a way they want to, and not solely for a male (or female) gaze. I love that these movements embrace fashions, performance and some ideas from by-gone eras, but also incorporate elements of sexual freedom, equality and alternative fashions (such as tattoos, gothic fashion, vintage fashion and fetish fashion).
Empowered femininity? Does the term femininity suit this? It’s a strong
form of female sexuality – empowered, self-confident, ‘feminine’ in
terms of wearing glamorous female fashion and make-up and not having
short hair. This sexuality was somewhat intertwined / related to its
effect and power over men. But it could also be seen on its own as an
expression of female sexuality. But femininity? I don’t know – maybe not
in a conventional sense.
Lipstick On My Lab Coat 