User:MollannB/sandbox

Chapstick Lesbian

“Chapstick Lesbian” was a phrase that became popularized by Ellen Degeneres in 2008. It was originally constructed as an extension or response to the phrase “lipstick lesbian” that emerged in 1990, which refers to a femme lesbian who emphasizes their female identity through their self-presentation (especially their appearance). The term "Chapstick Lesbian" identifies a category on the female-butch lesbian continuum, where the female homosexual has a gender identity bias towards Femme lesbianism, although does not identify as a Lipstick lesbian. The word is frequently used as an alternative to the term "Soft-butch" lesbian or androgynous. The key attributes recognizable of a Chapstick Lesbian is that they “usually dresses quite casually and does not wear make-up”. Although this is contested, as others argue “while she shares some of the behavioral traits of a soft butch, [she] prefers to retain her feminine identity" . Noticeably, she is still feminine but without the desire to put "too much" effort into her aesthetic: she is natural.

Moreover, the term has been adopted by scholars in academic papers as it identifies a sub-culture of lesbianism which further aids in the exploration of sexuality as fluid. For instance, M.P. Galupo, R.C. Mitchell and K.S. Davis wrote about "chapstick lesbian" as a form of secondary identity within Queer culture.