Lesbros Manifesto

1.  Sex is defined by gametes. Females have large, immobile gametes. Males have small, mobile gametes. These are reproductive categories.

 

2.  We define “gender” as the societal expectations of our sex, which are oppressive. We are gender non-conforming females. We reject the oppression of female masculinity. 

 

3.  We can not change which reproductive category we belong to. It is a biological reality and therefore a part of our self-conception. 

 

4.  Some of us have chosen to masculinize our appearance by way of testosterone and in some cases surgery. We are women who pass as men. 

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5.  We assert that sex-based spaces are necessary for our safety, privacy and dignity. We have experienced harm in mixed sex spaces, such as sexual assault.

 

6.  We want our own spaces and intend to create them. This includes but is not limited to public bathrooms, changing rooms and shelters. 

 

7.  We stand in solidarity with all women who want and need their own spaces.

 

8.  We don’t want to use men’s spaces. However, we recognize that when we are male-passing, we also don’t belong in all women’s spaces, unless invited, because we may frighten women. We need third spaces.

 

9.  We have our own needs which are separate and different from the needs of men and transwomen (who are of the male sex). As females, we require contraceptives, access to abortion, and bodily autonomy.

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10.  We are opposed to pornography. The fetishization and objectification of our bodies is harmful to our self esteem and self perception.

 

11.  We want a strong, healthy community for masculine women to support and resource one another. 

 

12.  Though some of us use male pronouns and names, we do not force others to comply with our preferences. 

 

13.  We are opposed to violence, threats, and dehumanizing, hateful rhetoric against both trans-dentified people and feminists/gender critical activists. 

 

14.  We are opposed to minors being medicalized. Minors can not consent to permanent alterations to their bodies. We promote healthy self-image as masculine women to preserve our bodily integrity while also respecting the bodily autonomy of adults of sound mind.

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15.  We reject the concept of “gender identity” as it’s being currently defined. We do believe in a childhood-onset perception of incongruence, which is a part of the developmental psychology of homosexuality. For children, this is a common and most often temporary aspect of proto-homosexuality.

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16.  We believe that Autogynephilia (AGP) is real and the primary motivator of heterosexual men wanting to become women. Men with AGP and women/lesbians with incongruence have little in common. We are not the same and do not wish to be lumped together under a single banner of “trans”.

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17.  We promote healthy sexuality, dating and relationships and support one another to achieve them.

 

18.  We promote healthy body image, self-care, and mental wellness.

 

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If you are a butch/FTM/Transmasc/Stud who agrees with this statement, we'd love to hear from you. Help us build a strong community of lesbros!