Around this planet we call ‘Earth’ one can find all sorts of women roaming about the streets. Females are classified under all sorts of things, whether it is through their beliefs, lifestyle, or even physical characteristics. So why is it that the lesbians of the human race are only classified as these wannabe-men who mow their lawns twice a week and own a cat or two (or three or four or five…)? To most people, telling whether or not a girl is a lesbian seems as easy as deciding if the cafeteria is using real potatoes in their tater tots. But, if it is really that simple, then why do the actual lesbians have a terrible time debating over if the lovely maiden across the way plays for their team? Having a better idea of the different classifications will help get people away from the classic butch stereotype and give them a wider range of knowledge on the subject (Which could more than likely create some fresh stereotypes, but what can one truly expect from this world?).

Lipstick Lesbians. And no, these girls are not known as such just for wearing lipstick. Also known as femmes, these female homosexuals are the more womanly side of the lesbian community. They typically wear dresses and skirts, have long hair, and like doing their make-up. One may even catch them shopping designer labels and going out for a non-fat latte on occasion. And while to the untrained eye this girl may appear to be heterosexual, she is in fact, a lesbian, however initially shocking the idea may be. Unfortunately for lesbians who fall under this category, heterosexual men still tend to go after them, even when they are eventually told by their prospect that she is not interested; and not just in him, but males in general. And yet, because of their girly and demure appearance, most straight males still believe that they can achieve the impossible and “change” this girl by supposedly “blowing her mind” with “passionate” intercourse. And yet, that is far from the truth. Despite their looks, many femmes are actually rather independent and strong women. Remarks like “you just haven’t met the right man yet” most definitely won’t fly. And unless you’re looking for a slap to the face or potential injuries below the belt, it’s not recommended to say “you’re too pretty to be gay.”

Butch Lesbians. We have now proceeded to the total opposite end of the lesbian spectrum, and the one that is more commonly known by others. Butches, also called dykes, are the more masculine female gays. They wear flannels and other plaid prints; they don’t lay a finger on cosmetics; and good luck trying to squeeze one into a bra. You may be able to get their assistance in fixing your car and they just might be up for a sports-related activity. Whatever the case, these lesbians are considered the more dominant role in lesbian relationships, mainly for their display of manly traits as opposed to more feminine ones. Often by heterosexuals, they are mistaken for boys, or when found out to be females, are believed to be either transgender or transsexual. However, these women are just presenting the gender they identify with, and for some, it’s just easier to be shown in a more masculine light. Regrettably for other females, this stereotype of lesbians generally prevents girls from wanting to display a more boyish side for fear that they will be assumed to be homosexual in some way.

Studs. To put it plainly, they are lesbians who are caught up in the middle of the stereotypes. Studs are that sort of femme-butch hybrid, where they’re not exactly girly, but they’re not particularly manly either. They are generally thought of as the “pretty boys” of the lesbian population, where their boyish looks have a bit of feminine charm (think Justin Bieber – but without the cheesy pop tunes of adolescent infatuation). These girls may wear the flannels, but also some make-up; they may have big cars, but have no clue how to fix them; and they may play sports, but they’re not necessarily crazy about them. Lesbians who are studs, like butches, are also often mistaken for boys, but usually thought to be younger in age than they really are, once again affirming the “pretty boy” standpoint (again – think Justin Bieber).

Hasbians. Your “ex-lesbians” – females who had once identified as lesbians, but now partake in heterosexual activities. There are a few different cases when it comes to hasbians. A hasbian could be a woman who is a lesbian, but has actually chosen to pursue a heterosexual lifestyle due to any number of reasons, ranging from religious to family-related, or somewhere in between. Another type of hasbian is a female who thought she was lesbian or experimented with dating other girls and identified as gay, when in fact, she never really was lesbian, but was indeed straight. These types of “lesbians” are not well-liked in not just the lesbian community, but by those who are LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual, Queer) in general. It’s mainly because these girls give those who are actually lesbian or bisexual a not-so-great view of homosexuality with the adults and heterosexuals in our society, since they make it out to be something to take lightly because it comes off as a phase.

Bisexuals. Our half-lesbian, half-straight girls. Bisexuals are attracted to both genders (not to be confused with pansexuals, where the basis of their attraction is not on gender at all), and it’s not just women who can identify as bi, but men also. The bisexuals of the universal population are actually a lot more discriminated against (almost as much as transgender/transsexual people) because they don’t just receive prejudice from straight people, but even others who identify as LGBTQ. By most, it is not even believed that bisexuality exists, and this begins with high school teenage girls. Homosexuality has been getting a bit “trendy” because things that are considered unpopular in our society are actually becoming popular. Not only that, but it’s becoming a big part of our culture as well. Other than that, women know that some men find it attractive when two females are together. So, we have teen girls tossing around labels and claiming bisexuality to get attention and lust from boys at the drop of a hat, even though they are in no way bisexual. And let’s not forget that, in general, on certain levels females are a bit more intellectual than males. They are more observant, more likely to ask questions, and are more curious about what is going on around them. This is a contributing factor to it as well, because some girls like the idea of how a feminine couple looks or because they have thought about other women in the same way they would think about men. But, even then, it’s not always the case that they are bisexual or lesbian, but in fact, merely interested in trying something new.

When you get past the silly stereotypes (like being vegetarian softball players), as well as the legitimate ones, what it gets down to, the very base of lesbianism, is women being attracted to and having feelings for other women. In even more simple terms: love, one of the most human emotions out there. Despite all the categories and attributes, characteristics and traits, that’s what it gets down to. We can put labels on it and psychoanalyze it all we want, but…at the end of the day? It’s just about people loving who they want to love.