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.