Queering Femininities

Queering femininity involves expanding the definition of femininity beyond traditional iterations that emphasize particular Western societal norms and beauty standards. It also places an emphasis on decoupling femininity as a construct from sex assigned at birth and from gender identity—anyone of any assigned sex or gender may embrace a queered femininity. This has made queered femininity an important construct in relation to trans studies. This entry explores queering femininity by first defining traditional femininity, then considering the idea of femme over time, and finally by discussing the inherent intersectionality of queered femininity.

Traditional Femininity

To understand queer versions of femininity, it is important first to briefly examine more dominant cultural definitions of this femininity. Traditional femininity (sometimes also called normative or patriarchal femininity) is based on a ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles