Gossip Column

Masc women carry power, presence, and love that cannot be reduced to stereotypes or trends. They are not placeholders, not conveniences, not shadows of men. They are women who love women and deserve to be honored as such. This column is not gossip, it is truth. It is a reminder that masc women are here, they matter, and they are everything.

There has been a lot of discussion on social media about masculine women being “too feminine” or needing to be “more masculine.” And my reaction to that is simple: What? This cannot be real.

A lot of feminine women seem uninformed. Maybe it is the influence of heterosexual norms, or maybe it is because they value relationships that resemble heterosexual ones. Whatever the reason, I have personally seen feminine women in America and in other countries treat masculine-presenting and masc-of-center women like they are men. And by that, I mean expecting them to only provide and carry all of the responsibilities as if that is their only purpose.

But let me be clear: masc women are more than that.I have seen many masc women cry out on social media, saying they are tired, saying they are done with women, or saying they need time to heal. Why should women who love women feel pushed to that point, especially when they are with women who claim to love women too? This does not mean relationships will not have disagreements. But when you truly love women, you do the work. You heal from past trauma. You learn what you do not know. You listen. You grow. You cater to your partner with love. Relationships have ups and downs, but valuing the woman you chose should never be questioned. Masc women are not placeholders for men. They are not men. They are not sexual objects to use for convenience. They are not banks. And most importantly, they are not to be played with. There are women who truly love masc women, and I am one of them. We do not love them because they dress like men. We love them because they are women who make us feel safe, who cater to us, who let us be ourselves, who listen, who are intelligent, beautiful, and driven. They provide because they want to, not because they have to. And when they do, they do not make us feel less for it.

Masc women bring an energy that shifts every room they walk into. Some people are uncomfortable, others are intrigued. But all feel their power. They are built with resilience and strength like no other.If fems sat down and had these honest, uncomfortable conversations with their masc partners or friends, they would understand them better. I know it is not easy being a masc woman, but I want you all to know this: you are appreciated. From your beautiful faces, to your locs, to your low-cut Caesars with deep waves (in my Beyoncé voice), to your braids, your fros, your curls, your straight hair, your style, your swag, your voice, your presence, your intelligence, your emotional strength, your curves, your legs, and most importantly your feet that carry you into rooms where you know the energy will shift. Sometimes it is warm, sometimes it is uncomfortable, but either way it is undeniable. Make your presence known. And for us fems who value you, we see you, and we appreciate you. For those who do not, they will have me to deal with.

Muah. I love you, masc women. And you are appreciated.