HOMOSEXUALITY A WAY OF LIFE

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THE LESBIAN PARTNERSHIP

The "butch" and "femme" tradition

Drinking

1.

2.

3.

4.

Social life

Finances

For the purpose of discussion terms were defined so that it would appear the "butch" is the epitome of masculinity while the "femme" is the ever-livin' end as a womanly woman. Most of us know that these extremes constitute only a small minority of the Lesbian culture pattern.

The group agreed that it would be better to use the term "custom" rather than "tradition" for the topic's consideration. Geographic conditions seem to have an effect on the custom as well as financial and working conditions. It would appear that the act of setting up a pseudogender classification is a matter of imitation of the heterosexual background of the Lesbians and this system is frustrating and embarrassing to those who cannot conform to the pattern.

It was apparent that some of the girls were not aware of the degree of stigma the "non-conformist" in gay society may be under, while others had felt the full fury of it. For the most part Lesbians maintain partnerships with varying degrees of dominant-passive roles wherein the picture may change as need demands much the same

as in heterosexual relationships. It is the individual who sets the tone and the expression of that individuality on all levels that makes for reasonable adjustment to marriage.

We were unable to determine why the subject of "drinking" was assigned to this group unless it had to do with the statistics of the major cities in California showing women to be pretty active in the alcoholic consumption increase. According to Helen Branson, author of the book "Gay Bar", the Lesbian makes a poor customer. She

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