Monday, October 31, 2011
#153 Halloween Butch Lisa!
I went to my kids' Halloween parade and look who I spotted. This is Lisa and her son.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
#152, Dilan at the hardware store
Buying mousetraps was never so fun. I spotted Dilan and her femme wife as I was being led by a butch store employee to look for the goods I needed. Dilan was worried she didn't look good because she had been digging trenches all day. Trenches. Butch. Digging. What's not to like? She and her wife were really nice, and very happy to have been sighted.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
#151 Vitka, Butch Soccer Mom
I went to my daughter's soccer game not expecting to have a butch sighting. Low and behold, who was sitting in front of me but Vitka! I asked her if she identified as a butch, gave her a card and told her about the queer family camp we go to every year.
Later, on a water break, my 5-year-old daughter stopped drinking and leaned into my ear whispering, "A butch! Did you get her already?"
Butch sightings is definitely a family affair.
Later, on a water break, my 5-year-old daughter stopped drinking and leaned into my ear whispering, "A butch! Did you get her already?"
Butch sightings is definitely a family affair.
#150 Drake
I admit to practically running to catch up with Drake in the grocery store. She was very happy to be sighted and wanted to know where all the single femmes were. I told her I was thinking of becoming a matchmaker. Hard to believe all the good looking, smart studly butches out there without dates!
#149 Lonny
I was talking with Robin on the phone when I walked into Ross and immediately saw Lonny and her femme wife. I asked if she identified as butch and she shook her said "No," which I immediately followed with, "Stud?" and she nodded. She and her wife are grandparents and a very very hot couple to boot.
#148 Red
Robin says:
"Robin here. This is Red. I ran into her last night at Ginger's dyke bar in Park Slope. Red is a well-known butch hottie in these neck of the woods and runs a popular sex/BDSM party called Submit. I admit that I skipped the preliminaries and just said, 'Hi Red, have you heard of butch sightings?' I then told her about it and she posed, though my iPhone was not ideal for a dark bar. I guess I'll have to encounter Red again. ;)"
"Robin here. This is Red. I ran into her last night at Ginger's dyke bar in Park Slope. Red is a well-known butch hottie in these neck of the woods and runs a popular sex/BDSM party called Submit. I admit that I skipped the preliminaries and just said, 'Hi Red, have you heard of butch sightings?' I then told her about it and she posed, though my iPhone was not ideal for a dark bar. I guess I'll have to encounter Red again. ;)"
Sunday, October 23, 2011
#147 Aja and Jeanie Goin' Shopping
From Valaida, who seems to have a knack for butch sighting:
"This is Aja and Jeanie. They were sighted at H&M in Emeryville. Aja says that she doesn't really identify as butch, more as "queer". They were very sweet with each other. Plus, you have to love a girlfriend who will go shopping with you. P.S. Jeanie has the most kickass tattoos of her mom playing guitar and of her grandma as a pinup girl. They made the trip to Emeryville extra special."
"This is Aja and Jeanie. They were sighted at H&M in Emeryville. Aja says that she doesn't really identify as butch, more as "queer". They were very sweet with each other. Plus, you have to love a girlfriend who will go shopping with you. P.S. Jeanie has the most kickass tattoos of her mom playing guitar and of her grandma as a pinup girl. They made the trip to Emeryville extra special."
#146 Eliana - Screenwriter, Director, Butch
Robin says,
"I was leaving a brunch in a trendy new apartment building where Eliana was waiting to see an apartment. She gave me a raised eyebrow when I asked if she was a butch probably because my socially self-conscious friend yelled, 'Robin, what are you doing?' After explaining Butch Sightings to both of them, Eliana gave her card (she's a screenwriter/director) and happily posed for our project, pulling over her 12 year old dog saying, 'this is my femme.'"
"I was leaving a brunch in a trendy new apartment building where Eliana was waiting to see an apartment. She gave me a raised eyebrow when I asked if she was a butch probably because my socially self-conscious friend yelled, 'Robin, what are you doing?' After explaining Butch Sightings to both of them, Eliana gave her card (she's a screenwriter/director) and happily posed for our project, pulling over her 12 year old dog saying, 'this is my femme.'"
#145 Malka, Genderqueer at Berkeley Bowl
It's hard to go to Berkeley Bowl without having a butch sighting. This is very distracting when I'm in a rush and getting ready for a party, unless I'm at the cash register waiting to ring out. Then it's great to talk to people in line. Case in point. Malka (love her name), 27-years-old, prefers genderqueer as a team over butch.
#144 Mel at the Fertile Ashes premier
Pasha, who is doing her best to make sure Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Butches, went to a premier last night and, thanks to her, we finally have some non-coastal US butch representation on the site! Way to go Pasha.
Here's what she has to say,
"FINALLY! I have pictures to post. All of these were taken at the preview showing of Fertile Ashes, which is a movie produced and directed by my ex-partner and my 20 year old son. The movie is a 30 minute narrative based on real-life events in the GLBT community in the Twin Cities in 1972. The main character is a butch bar owner. My ex was inspired to write the script by stories told to her in recent years by the woman who was partnered with the real butch bar owner in the early 70's. This picture is of Mel, who plays the main character Joey, in the film. All the main characters are played by GLBT actors/actresses, and the four main characters played by people who identify as butch and femme."
Here's what she has to say,
"FINALLY! I have pictures to post. All of these were taken at the preview showing of Fertile Ashes, which is a movie produced and directed by my ex-partner and my 20 year old son. The movie is a 30 minute narrative based on real-life events in the GLBT community in the Twin Cities in 1972. The main character is a butch bar owner. My ex was inspired to write the script by stories told to her in recent years by the woman who was partnered with the real butch bar owner in the early 70's. This picture is of Mel, who plays the main character Joey, in the film. All the main characters are played by GLBT actors/actresses, and the four main characters played by people who identify as butch and femme."
#143 Kim at the Fertile Ashes premier
Pasha says,
"This is Kim, who plays Joey's friend and co-worker at the bar in the movie. I have seen Kim around a lot, but never really talked to her. I asked her if she identifies as butch. She said, "not really, I am more of a tweener." Then, when I told her about Butch Sightings, she absolutely wanted her picture taken and posted."
"This is Kim, who plays Joey's friend and co-worker at the bar in the movie. I have seen Kim around a lot, but never really talked to her. I asked her if she identifies as butch. She said, "not really, I am more of a tweener." Then, when I told her about Butch Sightings, she absolutely wanted her picture taken and posted."
#142 Jill at the Fertile Ashes premier
Pasha had some great encounters last night. She says,
"This is Jill, who I had never met before, but I knew she was a friend of acquaintances of mine. She was sitting one seat down from me during the movie. I asked her if she identifies as butch and she readily said yes, and was fine about getting her picture taken. I talked to her some more later that night, and she said she might send me a note. She then admitted she had seen me on match.com and noticed in my profile that I really like butches. That made me feel shy."
"This is Jill, who I had never met before, but I knew she was a friend of acquaintances of mine. She was sitting one seat down from me during the movie. I asked her if she identifies as butch and she readily said yes, and was fine about getting her picture taken. I talked to her some more later that night, and she said she might send me a note. She then admitted she had seen me on match.com and noticed in my profile that I really like butches. That made me feel shy."
#141 Lou at the Fertile Ashes premier
Pasha says:
"This is Lou, who is a friend of Jill's, and was sitting one seat further down. When I asked her if she identifies as butch, she said, 'Even my name is butch.'"
"This is Lou, who is a friend of Jill's, and was sitting one seat further down. When I asked her if she identifies as butch, she said, 'Even my name is butch.'"
#140 Nita at the Fertile Ashes premier
Pasha says:
"This is Nita, who is a friend of Jill and Lou's. She was an extra in the movie. She was telling me a story about something that happened at the Michigan Women's Music Festival this year to honor butches and butch identity, as a response to some people feeling that butch identity is becoming less common."
"This is Nita, who is a friend of Jill and Lou's. She was an extra in the movie. She was telling me a story about something that happened at the Michigan Women's Music Festival this year to honor butches and butch identity, as a response to some people feeling that butch identity is becoming less common."
#139 Marker at the Fertile Ashes premier
Pasha knows that X marks the spot. She says,
"This is Marker. Marker had a small role in the movie. Marker identifies as queer, but when I asked if Marker wanted to be photographed for Butch Sightings, I got a definite yes. When talking about not identifying as a butch, Marker spoke about gender becoming a much more fluid concept, and said there is less of a need for gender-labeling words, ending by something like, "That's a good thing, right?" I agreed, but Marker's words were striking when juxtaposed with what Nita had just been saying (see above)."
"This is Marker. Marker had a small role in the movie. Marker identifies as queer, but when I asked if Marker wanted to be photographed for Butch Sightings, I got a definite yes. When talking about not identifying as a butch, Marker spoke about gender becoming a much more fluid concept, and said there is less of a need for gender-labeling words, ending by something like, "That's a good thing, right?" I agreed, but Marker's words were striking when juxtaposed with what Nita had just been saying (see above)."
#138 Polly at the Fertile Ashes premier
Pasha knows how to find them! She says,
"This is Polly. I have to admit I know Polly and know she identifies as a butch. I just loved that she had on an Occupy MN shirt. Polly has been an activist for many decades, and lived in NYC in the late 60's and has many great stories."
"This is Polly. I have to admit I know Polly and know she identifies as a butch. I just loved that she had on an Occupy MN shirt. Polly has been an activist for many decades, and lived in NYC in the late 60's and has many great stories."
#136 Joan at the premier of Fertile Ashes
Pasha says:
"This is Joan. Joan and I happened to sit down in adjoining chairs at the exact same time to take a break from the after-movie dancing. When I asked her if she identifies as a butch she said yes right away. I was telling her about Butch Sightings and she asked me if it was a good way to meet people. I said it really served the purpose quite well. Shortly after Joan asked me to dance."
"This is Joan. Joan and I happened to sit down in adjoining chairs at the exact same time to take a break from the after-movie dancing. When I asked her if she identifies as a butch she said yes right away. I was telling her about Butch Sightings and she asked me if it was a good way to meet people. I said it really served the purpose quite well. Shortly after Joan asked me to dance."
Friday, October 21, 2011
#135 Deb from L.A.
Okay, so this was something. First, I saw three people for Butch Sightings all within the same 20 ft. area (but at different times) on a sidewalk in Berkeley. Second, I saw Deb walk by but I was on my way in the opposite direction and didn't stop her. Third, my daughter and I were walking to our car after we picked up our package and there she was with a friend, about to back out of their parking space. They stopped to let us by and I thought it was kismet - how could I not ask, especially because they were both smiling and looked like nice people.
So then, I asked Deb if she identified as butch (she definitely does) and if she had heard of butch sightings. She said she had and was wondering if she'd ever get stopped and asked. I replied, "I'm her!" and then she told me she was a friend on facebook. But the wildest part is that she is from L.A.! She just happened to be up here and we happened to be at the same place at the same time (twice really if you count the first time we passed each other).
Welcome to the site Deb - it was great meeting you (and thanks for getting out of your car for the pic)!
So then, I asked Deb if she identified as butch (she definitely does) and if she had heard of butch sightings. She said she had and was wondering if she'd ever get stopped and asked. I replied, "I'm her!" and then she told me she was a friend on facebook. But the wildest part is that she is from L.A.! She just happened to be up here and we happened to be at the same place at the same time (twice really if you count the first time we passed each other).
Welcome to the site Deb - it was great meeting you (and thanks for getting out of your car for the pic)!
#134 Kathy
I saw Kathy outside the stained glass store, and the next time I looked, she was inside - how did that happen? I don't know, but I went in too. She doesn't usually use the word butch but she was great to spot and I'm happy she agreed to be on the site!
#133 Monti
Monti was busy listening to her music and walking on by when I stopped her, mid-song, to ask if she identified as butch. Dyke is a better word, she says, but she was still happy to be on the web site. I happen to love her look!
#132 Kelly, Gender Variant Librarian
Megan ran into Kelly at a librarian conference. How lovely! Here's what she has to say:
"This is Kelly, spotted at a librarian conference in Monterey. She identifies more as gender variant than as butch as she likes to live on the fringes and doesn't really like labels. However, she says that others often label her as butch. Yes, she's a librarian (!) and she lives in the Bay Area with her partner. We had a lovely conversation about library systems, aging servers, various other geekery, and the beauty that is butch/femme.
Yay sightings!!! :D"
"This is Kelly, spotted at a librarian conference in Monterey. She identifies more as gender variant than as butch as she likes to live on the fringes and doesn't really like labels. However, she says that others often label her as butch. Yes, she's a librarian (!) and she lives in the Bay Area with her partner. We had a lovely conversation about library systems, aging servers, various other geekery, and the beauty that is butch/femme.
Yay sightings!!! :D"
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
#131 Sweet Pea, MMA Fighter
Yvonne, our ever diligent butch sighter, had a more exciting visit to the doctor the other day. Here's what she had to say:
"I had a little ray of well needed sunshine after rupturing my Achilles and sitting in the waiting room for an MRI I met Alex Kumara AKA Sweet Pea and her lovely wife Marie. They married at the Long Beach courthouse a year after they met. They are one of the lucky 18000 who are protected which is wonderful as they have 2 little girls ages 5 and 3. Sweet Pea, originally from Panama was in for her MRI for a possible torn ACL from sparing as a professional MMA fighter! Ya that's right. Her team is called Sparta and she boxed professionally for 10 years. This Butch is a Rock Star. I asked her if other Butches MMA fight and she said no it's primarily Femmes! She explained that in MMA fights you spar mostly with men to toughen you up and then closer to the fights you fight with other female fighters. In the actual MMA fight men and women fight together. She was so sweet, kind and an overflowing cornucopia of fight information. Watch out world as soon as Sweet Pea heals up her knee were going to see her all over the map."
"I had a little ray of well needed sunshine after rupturing my Achilles and sitting in the waiting room for an MRI I met Alex Kumara AKA Sweet Pea and her lovely wife Marie. They married at the Long Beach courthouse a year after they met. They are one of the lucky 18000 who are protected which is wonderful as they have 2 little girls ages 5 and 3. Sweet Pea, originally from Panama was in for her MRI for a possible torn ACL from sparing as a professional MMA fighter! Ya that's right. Her team is called Sparta and she boxed professionally for 10 years. This Butch is a Rock Star. I asked her if other Butches MMA fight and she said no it's primarily Femmes! She explained that in MMA fights you spar mostly with men to toughen you up and then closer to the fights you fight with other female fighters. In the actual MMA fight men and women fight together. She was so sweet, kind and an overflowing cornucopia of fight information. Watch out world as soon as Sweet Pea heals up her knee were going to see her all over the map."
#130 Kris and Mariah, Fishing on the Pier
Our newest butch sighter, Megan, sent in this exciting photo! And here's what she had to say about it:
"Saturday, San Diego, Ocean Beach pier. I was watching the sun set into the ocean with my girlfriend, and she spotted Kris (on the left) fishing off the pier. I asked her if she identified as butch. She smiled and said, "Yes. Well, or baby dyke." I explained the project and then she told me if I waited for a few minutes, her girlfriend would be coming back with her girlfriend's sister who is also butch. Mariah (on the right) is Kris's girlfriend's sister. Both were totally happy to be on the blog and Facebook."
"Saturday, San Diego, Ocean Beach pier. I was watching the sun set into the ocean with my girlfriend, and she spotted Kris (on the left) fishing off the pier. I asked her if she identified as butch. She smiled and said, "Yes. Well, or baby dyke." I explained the project and then she told me if I waited for a few minutes, her girlfriend would be coming back with her girlfriend's sister who is also butch. Mariah (on the right) is Kris's girlfriend's sister. Both were totally happy to be on the blog and Facebook."
Monday, October 17, 2011
#129 Renee at the Salsa Party
Lauren, butch sighter in NYC, likes to dance. Salsa specifically. Yesterday she went to a party and got busy, not dancing, but butch sighting. Thank you Lauren!
Here's what she has to say:
"Renee was my first sighting at the salsa party. I told her about the project and she grinned. 'Wow, I can't believe I've been sighted. My girlfriend's going to love it!'"
Here's what she has to say:
"Renee was my first sighting at the salsa party. I told her about the project and she grinned. 'Wow, I can't believe I've been sighted. My girlfriend's going to love it!'"
#128 Michelle at the Salsa Party
Lauren, who must not have had time to dance, with all her work getting butch sightings, says:
"Michelle, at the salsa party in NYC. Michelle enthusiastically agreed to be photographed when I told her what the project was all about."
"Michelle, at the salsa party in NYC. Michelle enthusiastically agreed to be photographed when I told her what the project was all about."
#127 Louise at the Salsa Party
Another dispatch from Lauren at the Salsa party:
"Louise and her girlfriend were also at the salsa party. I approached them and popped the question to Louise. She looked at her girlfriend sheepishly and said, 'well, yeah.' I told them about the project and asked if I could take Louise's picture. She deferred to her girlfriend, who graciously agreed."
"Louise and her girlfriend were also at the salsa party. I approached them and popped the question to Louise. She looked at her girlfriend sheepishly and said, 'well, yeah.' I told them about the project and asked if I could take Louise's picture. She deferred to her girlfriend, who graciously agreed."
#126 Susie at the Salsa Party
Lauren, salsa dancer and butch sighter, went to a Salsa party yesterday. Here's what she has to say:
"Here's Susie getting ready to show off her moves at an LGBT salsa party in NYC. When I asked Susie if she identifies as butch, she said, 'well, it's complicated, but yes.'"
"Here's Susie getting ready to show off her moves at an LGBT salsa party in NYC. When I asked Susie if she identifies as butch, she said, 'well, it's complicated, but yes.'"
Saturday, October 15, 2011
#125 L. Frank at Bioneers
L. Frank was walking by the Indigenous People's tent when I spotted her in her cowboy hat. I asked her first if I could ask her a question, then if she was queer and when she said, yes (or maybe, "of course") if she identified as butch. She gave an unequivocal "yes!" then patiently waited while I fumbled in my purse for my phone to take a pic and tried different photos hoping to get a good one out of the bright hot sun.
#124 Erin at Bioneers
Bioneers is an incredible organization with an annual conference in Marin County, California, each year. I went today, not expecting to see many queers or butches, but there were a few I just had to ask. This is Erin, who says she doesn't identify as anything in particular. She is queer and friendly and was happy to be on the web site. She was nice about my question too. That's always a relief.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
#123 Taylor
Lugging a bag of dog food over my shoulder and holding a bag of bird seed and pill pockets in a bag, I had my hands full when I saw Taylor crossing the parking lot at the pet food store with her three year old daughter. Even encumbered, I couldn't help but ask, "Do you identify as butch?" I guess you know the answer. Thanks Taylor, for stopping. It's not easy to stop when you have a preschooler in tow.
#122 Jennifer in the Eye of the Beholder
Robin's final sighting of the night, at least captured on film, the famous (well, at least to me, Jennifer). I'm thrilled to have her here. Here's what Robin says:
"Jennifer is a performer with Circus Amok and the Coney Island SideShow (the 'bearded lady,' juggler, and fire eater) and also a professor. When I asked Jennifer if she was a butch she answered cryptically, 'gender is in the eye of the beholder.' She then said she was too old for gender. Lol. She was really funny."
"Jennifer is a performer with Circus Amok and the Coney Island SideShow (the 'bearded lady,' juggler, and fire eater) and also a professor. When I asked Jennifer if she was a butch she answered cryptically, 'gender is in the eye of the beholder.' She then said she was too old for gender. Lol. She was really funny."
#121 Silas and Heather
Robin had a lot of fun at the reading last night, and got into some great conversations. Here's what she has to say:
"I wasn't going to approach Silas at first because I figured he was a transman ... actually he looks like a man but I knew because we were at Peggy's reading that he was a transman. So I said, 'Hi, I'm guessing you ID as a transman but do you also ID as a butch?' and he said 'Absolutely!' and his exquisite femme, Heather, smiled broadly. We then had a long wonderful conversation about how a butch can transition and still be a butch because that is part of his integral being. Silas is the co-star, co-writer, and co-director with Harry Dodge of the film By Hook or By Crook. Really really nice couple. "
"I wasn't going to approach Silas at first because I figured he was a transman ... actually he looks like a man but I knew because we were at Peggy's reading that he was a transman. So I said, 'Hi, I'm guessing you ID as a transman but do you also ID as a butch?' and he said 'Absolutely!' and his exquisite femme, Heather, smiled broadly. We then had a long wonderful conversation about how a butch can transition and still be a butch because that is part of his integral being. Silas is the co-star, co-writer, and co-director with Harry Dodge of the film By Hook or By Crook. Really really nice couple. "
#120 Karen
Robin, still at the book signing, spotted Karen and says:
"Karen took over when I embarrassingly asked a femme near her if that femme was a butch (don't ask; it was confusing). Karen offered up that she was a butch. I liked her laid-back demeanor and she and her femme were very interested in Butch Sightings."
"Karen took over when I embarrassingly asked a femme near her if that femme was a butch (don't ask; it was confusing). Karen offered up that she was a butch. I liked her laid-back demeanor and she and her femme were very interested in Butch Sightings."
#119 Peggy Shaw and Robin (Eyes Closed, Eyes Open, Eyes Open, Eyes Closed)
Robin again who says:
"That's me with Peggy Shaw, at the book signing and reading of 'A Menopausal Gentleman: The Solo Performances of Peggy Shaw.' Peggy makes my heart pound. She is so smooth, so handsome in a retro rugged way. She's also proudly a mother and grandmother and I really dig that. (We couldn't seem to coordinate keeping our eyes opened at the same time though. lol.)"
#118 Karena
From Robin, our intrepid NYC butch sighter:
"Karena: (with glasses) is a kickass Brooklyn lawyer and a butch, who as a young college student, was the young lover of a famous butch/femme performance couple. She has a great laugh, a husky voice and a fabulous 'anything goes' approach to life"
"Karena: (with glasses) is a kickass Brooklyn lawyer and a butch, who as a young college student, was the young lover of a famous butch/femme performance couple. She has a great laugh, a husky voice and a fabulous 'anything goes' approach to life"
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
#117 Jean, Keeping it Safe
I work with Jean who is in Environmental Health & Safety. If you want to hear harrowing tales of what can happen when you don't wear your construction harness tightly enough, well, just ask her. But not on a full stomach.
Jean grew up in Europe where she came out and being a butch was no big deal (not even in the 70s when butches were less "accepted," at least in lesbian feminist circles).
Thanks Jean, for playing along!
Jean grew up in Europe where she came out and being a butch was no big deal (not even in the 70s when butches were less "accepted," at least in lesbian feminist circles).
Thanks Jean, for playing along!
#116 These Butches Sighted Themselves!
Well, okay, that got a random guy walking by to take their picture. And I know I'm glad they did!
Lani, Susan (who wants you to know she's single), JJ, and Downtown. Nice.
Lani, Susan (who wants you to know she's single), JJ, and Downtown. Nice.
A slight diversion: Jenny and Monica at the Pariah Screening
Monica organized the screening of Pariah through Sista2Sista in Oakland. And then we posed for this picture together while I was in the popcorn line. I'm laughing in the pic because Young Brat (#91) was taking our pic and had the camera down low, I said, "Never do a woman from below" to which Monica replied "That's the only way to do a woman!" (She made me post this conversation. Oy). :)
