Katherine S.
How do you self-identify?
In terms of gender, female. In terms of race/ethnicity, white and Japanese.
If you most closely relate to femininity as a model of self-presentation, what does that concept mean for you?
I would consider myself fairly feminine in self-presentation. I wear traditionally feminine clothes, like dresses and feminine shoes, I have a traditionally feminine haircut and I tend to walk with a sway to my hips.
Which of these words most closely relates to your identity: queer/femme/butch/lady/girlie/woman/dude/lesbian/gay/straight/andro/trans? (add other terms if necessary)
I would say straight. Maybe like a femme dude, is that possible? I like accentuating my feminine features through dress and style, but I wouldn't call myself girlie or femme, because I'll only do it if it's easy. For instance, I won't wear makeup because it takes too long and costs too much.
Is a combination of these words necessary to define your self-identity?
I'm liking the idea of being a straight femme dude. I may have a feminine self-presentation, but don't expect me to be fulfilling the rest of the female stereotypes of femininity. I'm not super neat and I've been known to not wash my face before leaving the house -- these things are dude-like, I feel. I don't feel I need to be in a relationship to be whole and I don't feel I need to be protected by men -- these things lay outside of the female stereotype.
How do you define "femininity"?
That's a really hard question. A good starting point for the definition would be attributes associated with things typical of women.
Do you see femininity as limiting or freeing? How do you argue for or against "traditional" forms of femininity?
I see femininity as an ideal self to be limiting. The concept is restrictive for those who don't fall into the traditional feminine type and don't want to. But, if it's one aspect of your whole identity, I don't see it as restrictive at all, rather as something that can paint a more complete picture of who you are.
What does "femme" or "femininity" personally mean to you? Do you relate to these terms? Do you project your own definition onto these terms and re-define them?
For me, femininity is manifesting the more traditional aspects of female identity. Being a little more dainty, wanting to be perceived as feminine by dressing and styling in a feminine fashion, these are aspects of femininity to me. I do relate to these in certain contexts. I would say my femininity fluctuates. I probably do re-define these terms as I get older. I used to have a very strict idea of femininity and I was not part of that definition. As I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate it as an aspect of my personality, not a dominant part of it.
Can femininity be a revolutionary act?
I think so. When I was younger, I was very devoted to the idea of not being feminine. I wanted to break stereotypes. I dressed like a boy and denied any feminine qualities I might have. I came to realize that I was restricting myself and that they not feminine me and the feminine me were both part of my identity. I should be able to express them both. So, for me, embracing femininity was revolutionary.
Do you consider yourself a feminist? If yes, have you ever seen femininity as limiting to your feminism? If no, why not?
I do consider myself a feminist. As I mentioned in the last two questions, I really feel that embracing femininity in may case was liberating. I had been denying any feminine attributes because I thought that's what it meant to be a feminist. I felt to be a feminist was to not give in to any stereotype. I was liberated when I realized that being feminine was just a part of who I am.
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