What Does Stud Mean to You?
by Recently my best friend and fellow writer/co-founder of The S.T.U.D Poets who happens to be a phenomenal Spoken Word Artist as well wrote a masterpiece called “I Define S.T.U.D” an absolute must read. Matter a fact a must hear.
In this piece she breaks down the stereo typical use of the word Stud and describes the every day struggles and painful issues that come along with being a butch lesbian in today’s society. Thus, creating a platform for growth and self definition within our own community that has labeled us as just a bunch of confused gendered individuals who through many years of avoiding the issue of self-acceptance have transformed into the even lesser accepted same-sex figure called “The Stud”.
The Stigma Behind “Stud”
It is my belief that the reason the “Stud” is depicted in such a negative manner is impart due to the perception that we ourselves as lesbians give to this particular label. And yes I say label with the full understanding that, that is exactly what the terminology “Stud” is, a label.
At the time when most tom-boys discover that there is more to the way that they dress and enjoy sports then meets the eye. They immediately start embracing what they would like to think is typical “Stud” behavior shortly after they come out of the closet. Which causes for them to adapt to different situations as masculine as possible within a community that is already very un accepting of same-sex practices. Also we feed off of the other examples of “Studs” we see around us and unconsciously take on their personal beliefs as our own. Not every “Stud” feels the need to sag their pants to their knees, and not every stud is wandering about in a world of “touch me not” thinking.
Do not be confused about the true meaning of “Stud”. As with any large group of individuals, yes there are some who give the rest of us a bad name. But most of us are highly educated intellectuals, with clear outlines for our futures, devout believers and entrepreneurs and first class gentlemen. I am clearly speaking about those of us who have conquered the fight with self-acceptance and moved into self definition. We are the one’s that are no longer imprisoned by the world’s view or even our own communities view of what a “Stud” should be. We have courageously stepped from behind the line that was drawn for us years ago. Put there purposely to keep us separated from those who often stand in judgment, and made the on lookers measure us soley based upon who we are on the inside.
In conclusion
As a lesbian who is often labeled as a “Stud” and as a woman who also proudly wears the name KING. Myself and my best friend Poetic Devotion are leading a movement to tear down the stereo typical definition of the terminology “Stud” and challenging others to not only do the same , but also redefine this word in a positive aspect, forcing the world to embrace us as equals and not as adversaries.
For us “Stud” means; Standing Together United and never Divided. So what does “Stud” mean to you????
Liked it
-
Post CommentCould you help me with a small project?
On July 14, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Hello, my name is Katherine. I came up with the website http://www.movies4less.biz. Please excuse the name, I use to sell movies on the website. Nonetheless, I startes the website maybe 1 or 2 years ago and I’m really trying to help the ideas, not the website, get to every stud, butch and femmes house. I know your probably saying we have lots of lesbian movies,music, books, etc. but I’ve looked and that’s not true. My main purpose of writing you this letter was to ask youfor a small favor. I was wondering if you could spent 1 night per week, or more if you can, sending out the letter below to each stud, butch and femme. These are just a few reasons for helping send out the letters: #1. So studs, butches and femmes can know that products for them exist. #2. So they can start making products.(you gotta check out the website to better understand this one). #3. Because it’s going to take me alone a long time. These are a few websites that allow people to talk in groups and these places are free (groups are where studs,butches,and femmes can be found”: “www.blackplanet.com “ Under groups you’d type studs or studz or butches. “www.glee.com “Under groups you’d type the same as before. “www.myspace.com “same as above. “www.migente.com “same as above. There are more “group websites”,”lesbian dating services”,”dating services”(with the lesbian option), and ”lesbian telephone dating services where studs, butches and femmes can be found. If your answer is yes, I’ll get the other information together and send it to you as soon as possible. Here’s the letter that you’d be leaving for each individual stud,butch, and femme:For the first time in our lives studs&phishes(femmes) are making products.(cheer crowd)and they need your financial support by purchasing their products so they can put their stuff in the big stores, like wal-mart. So once every paycheck make a promise to us and yourself to purchase at least one product. You can find these prducts under http://www.movies4less.biz. Coming soon a way amateurs, those who’s product is perfect, it just hasn’t been through a studio,factory or such,because of the cost of studio time,packaging and such,can sell their product to us. In the future look under stud/phish(femme)product to sell, under amaturs who want to sell. If your answer is yes, could you e-mail me and tell me yes. My e-mail address is studs_butches@yahoo.com. If you decide yes, but you feel the website is not professional enough feel free to contact me about changing it.