The Sapphic Sanctuary
Is butch a slur?
No, not when someone uses it for themself. Butch is a longstanding lesbian and queer identity for masculine-of-center people. Outsiders and even some queer people have used it as an insult, which is why projects like Butch Is Not a Dirty Word exist, but the word itself is not a slur.
Last updated: July 19, 2026
Butch grew out of working-class lesbian bar culture in the mid-20th century as a name people claimed. Them and other queer outlets treat it as identity language with history, not as hate speech.
It can still sting when thrown at someone who has not chosen it, or when it is used to mock masculine women and gender-nonconforming people. That misuse is the problem. Self-identification is not. Esther Godoy founded Butch Is Not a Dirty Word after hearing the word used to put queer women down, including inside community spaces.
If someone tells you they are butch, believe them. If they have not, do not stick the label on them for them.
More on butch, soft butch, and what masc means.