A review by corneliusmcstrawberry
Persistence: All Ways Butch and Femme by Ivan Coyote, Zena Sharman

informative reflective

4.0

im a young transmasc person, wondering for a while whether if they are butch. this should be strongly recommended reading to anyone remotely like me — young queers (gen z), mascs, femmes, frankly anyone who does not have very much knowledge of butch/femme/lesbian experience. this not only gave me insight into myself but it gave me tremendous insight into lesbian identity, sexuality, relationships and dynamics. as queer folk we’re often lumped together as if we’re monolithic. we may unite together in the same fight — as we should — but we still know intrinsically that we are not the same; this is not the case. as such, i think it’s vital that we learn from each other and gain a greater awareness of the unique circumstances that cultivate and influence our identities and dynamics. for example, i did not know that (at least, when the book was written), there is/was specific etiquettes/codes/rules between butches and femmes. whether or not this etiquette is necessary or helpful in modern day, in 2024, is likely a debate that has been going on for some time and as someone who still is, admittedly, a bit ignorant, i want to say that it remains to be seen — however, it’s this inherent disconnect between young queer folk and queer histories, the lack of mentorship and orally transmitted traditions, that irks me. as such, i believe this book is a great resource and starting point for learning about the communities that have come before us, regardless of how we are situated, and i am ever so grateful for ivan coyote in particular.