Gay America (pgs. 64-96)

Summary: One of the most interesting sub section between the pages 64-96, was the seb section title 'Butch/femme.' This sub section interested me because I have heard the nickname 'Butch' before. Butch is another stereotypical nickname referring to lesbian females that do not dress like woman, but rather manly. This section stood out to me among all the others because woman were hated because they chose to express themselves through clothing. In the 1940's only working-class woman were called 'butch' and 'femme.' Quote: "For working-class lesbians, the 1950s were the heyday of 'butches' and 'femmes.'"(Alsenas 65). Reaction: After reading this sub section, I looked up the modern definition of 'butch.' Today, in 2011, butch is slang for a lesbian, especially one notably masculine in manner or appearance. I like this section out of all the sub sections because i found it interesting how the term for a manly female had changed drastically from the 1940s to 2011. In the 1940s only working class females were 'butch,' now a female that dresses in any kind of manly manner is considered 'butch.' This sub section just proves to Americans or anyone that reads this book that terms can change from one meaning to another.