Lesbros Manifesto

1. We have chosen to masculinize our appearance by way of testosterone and in some cases surgery. We are women who pass as men. Our sex is an important aspect of our self-conception. 

 

2. We value female masculinity and see it as an organic and universal aspect of human diversity, with a long, rich cultural history. It is not pathology.

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3. We believe the term and concept of "masculinity" should be disentangled from men. Women can be masculine and men can be feminine. These trait clusters are therefore not sex-specific or exclusive. 

 

4.  We define “gender” as the societal expectations of our sex (roles, behaviours and appearances) which are heteronormative and oppressive. We are gender non-conforming females. We reject the oppression of female masculinity. 

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5.  We assert that sex-based spaces are necessary for our safety, privacy and dignity. Some of us have experienced harm in mixed sex or men's spaces, such as sexual assault, though inclusion in women's spaces can also be difficult when we pass as men. We need third spaces. 

 

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

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7.  We have our own needs which are separate and different from the needs of men and transwomen. As females, we require contraceptives, access to abortion, bodily autonomy, rape crisis centres and homeless shelters.

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8.  We are opposed to pornography and prostitution. The fetishization and objectification of our bodies is harmful to our self esteem and self perception. It enables sexual exploitation. 

 

9.  We want a strong, healthy community for transmen to support and resource one another, and seek opportunities to bridge with other women/lesbians/feminist groups. 

 

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

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11. We believe it's our ethical responsibility to always disclose our sex when relevant, for example before having sex with a partner. 

 

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

 

13.  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. We advise caution to adults considering medicalization since it is not a neutral act and comes with risks. We support non-medical means of expressing female  masculinity, such as body building.

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14.  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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15.  We engage feminist theory in ways that facilitate reflections about healthy masculinity, lesbian ethics, and women's oppression. 

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

 

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

 

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