Why are there TWO Organizations:
Labels and Stereotypes
*Like everything interpretations of anything varies depending on the person. So
hopefully the explanation will help skew views towards what Omicron Women and
Iota Gentlewomen are truly about.
There has been concern about why are there two organizations. Furthermore, why
is there an emphasis on being a femme or a stud. To address these concerns the
Herstory has to be reviewed first. In sum, the four founders, the Sapphires,
began the organization because there was a need to unite Lesbians, especially
those of color, and give them a safe haven where they could be apart of a true
sisterhood. It was later realized that there were absolutely no organizations
that catered to Stud/Butch/Dom women. Therefore, the two organizations each
renamed and restructured themselves with two women who CONSIDERED themselves
feminine or dominant.
To begin everything is dependant on how each woman views herself. Once a woman
realizes that she is only attracted to other women and a genuine lover of women
its usually then, but not in all cases, that she looks at herself and sees what
traits and characteristics she has and where she fits in the labels game. But
then there are also those women who go through the same process of finally
realizing that they are lesbian but throughout their lives they dress “boyish”
or “femmy” and later on are labels actually applied to them. Whether or not
women want to have labels imposed on them, Gay Society has these labels and
everyone fits somewhere. The two most common are “Femme” and “Stud.”
Stereotypically, Femmes wear the skirts, makeup, and the three-inch heels while
the Studs, also stereotypically, rock the Timbs, wife beaters, and dress like
“Boys.”
Stereotypes DO NOT in anyway govern how Omicron Epsilon Pi and Iota Lambda Pi
look at themselves. These are only labels that make some women comfortable
identifying themselves with. We also realize that there are many types of women.
It must be said that it does not matter what you look like, what you wear, or
even how you get down in the bedroom. These are not factors that Omicron Epsilon
Pi or Iota Lambda Pi use to invite women into the sisterhood. The two
organizations above all are more concerned about the QUALITY of each woman that
is interested. For example, in Omicron Epsilon Pi there are women who some call
STEMME but who are clearly extremely feminine by nature. Yes they have been
known to put on a fit showing all the curves that they have and get their hair
and nails done like clock work every two weeks BUT will throw on some Timbs and
sweats and call it a day. Does this make these women any less feminine? On the
other side in Iota Lambda Pi there are women who some call “Studs in skirts” but
who are clearly extremely dominant by nature, and again they dress “Boyish” and
rock the latest fits and Jordan’s, but don’t get it twisted when they walk in a
room wearing a business suit and some Nine West shoes. Again the question is
asked, does this make them any less dominant? These examples show the
versatility of what Omicron women and Iota Gentlewomen encompass. In addition,
for the women that say they “Stand on the Middle of the Fence” well there is an
understanding about why they may think like that but when it comes down to it
EVERY women leans more to the feminine side or dominant side where again these
women will find comfort. The point that is trying to be made is that clothes
done make the woman the woman makes the clothes. Which means anyone can wear a
skirt and look feminine and anyone can lace up some Timbs and look studdy, but
in the dark when the day is over the only thing that will show is your
personality, which once again is either feminine or dominant.
Hopefully an interested woman would look past all the hoopla with what clothes
are being worn and pay more attention to each member and what they are trying to
accomplish within and outside of the organizations. As members, yes, we want to
be around like individuals, but we are here to support each other in anyway
possible and want to make living in the “Life” as less strenuous as possible
while offering a lifelong friendship.
We have realized that there are labels but the terms “Femme” and “Stud” are ONLY
used to capture a small essence of where an interested woman would fit in. There
is so much emphasis on whether or not a woman is Femme or Stud and the point is
clearly being missed about why these organizations were even founded.
So to answer the infamous question on Why are there two organizations. They are
here and available to interested women to be with a group of women whom they
feel comfortable with and how these women view themselves. While doing this a
sense of worthiness, self-actualization, and a dedication to wanting to improve
“Lesbianism” in the LGBT community will be more important than whether or not
spending the majority of the time trying to distinguish who or what is a “Femme”
or “Stud”.