This is how my butch identity taught me to uplift other lesbians [Video]

I’ve been described as “one of those lesbians”. I have tattoos and piercings, I wear so-called men’s clothes and the only hair I shave is on my head. 

Some people see it as a political statement, but it’s not. I’m just me, existing in a way that’s comfortable.

Finding the word “butch” was freeing. Knowing that there are other lesbians like me out there, who found their home in masculinity, gave me words for feelings I’d had since I was a young tomboy. I felt I’d found my place.

Well, I did – until another lesbian called me a “living stereotype” and said I was making us all look bad.

As a baby butch who’d only just worked up the courage to shave her head, this threw me. On pressing her, she explained that she felt all she saw of lesbians on TV were people like Big Boo from prison drama Orange Is the New Black,and that …