Boi: Difference between revisions
Reworking the lead, cleaning up some references
(i took out the word "mistakenly" employ this term, because it's fucked up to invalidate how someone identifies, them being young is not an excuse) |
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[[Boi]] (pronounced the same as "boy"; plural "bois") is, | [[Boi]] (pronounced the same as "boy"; plural "bois") is a term with many meanings. Broadly, it indicates "[[masculinity]] which is not cisheteronormative."<ref>{{cite book|title=The A-Z of Gender and Sexuality|page=56|year=2019|isbn=9781784506636}}</ref> | ||
This identity originated in the North American gay community in and around 2000 and was widely adopted by young gay men. Even older gay men use it to describe themselves. Some lesbian youth who are more masculine and those who identify as trans employ this term as they have yet to define a common vernacular to describe themselves. Zoi, zeeshe, goi and shoi are alternative terms.{{citation needed}} | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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* An umbrella term for many different queer masculine identities. For example, the bklyn boihood organization defines boi this way: "We are transmen, studs, doms, butches, tomboys, queens, Ags-all self-identified bois and queers of color striving for visibility, self-affirmation using our stories, journeys, and talents."<ref>"bklyn boihood." https://prezi.com/ybttsym4mewd/bklyn-boihood/</ref> | * An umbrella term for many different queer masculine identities. For example, the bklyn boihood organization defines boi this way: "We are transmen, studs, doms, butches, tomboys, queens, Ags-all self-identified bois and queers of color striving for visibility, self-affirmation using our stories, journeys, and talents."<ref>"bklyn boihood." https://prezi.com/ybttsym4mewd/bklyn-boihood/</ref> | ||
* The Genderqueer Identities blog says, "Use of 'boi' outside of relation to transgender spaces specifically seems to be strongly associated with African American men’s culture (see results for 'pretty boi', for example)." | * The Genderqueer Identities blog says, "Use of 'boi' outside of relation to transgender spaces specifically seems to be strongly associated with African American men’s culture (see results for 'pretty boi', for example)." | ||
* Among gay men, a boi can be "a boyish gay guy."<ref | * Among gay men, a boi can be "a boyish gay guy."<ref name="Marech">{{Cite web |title=Nuances of gay identities reflected in new language / 'Homosexual' is passé in a 'boi's' life |author=Marech, Rona |work=SFGate |date=8 February 2004 |access-date=12 June 2020 |url= https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Nuances-of-gay-identities-reflected-in-new-2824367.php}}</ref> Gay men may use the word boi for young bisexual or gay men who are feminine.<ref name="Marech" /> | ||
* In the lesbian community, "a 'boi' is a younger lesbian that typically looks and acts like a guy. She dresses in clothes designed for men, has a boyish hairstyle and carries herself like a dude [...] older lesbians generally aren’t referred to as 'bois.' I’m 31. Hell, I’m taking this term to the grave with me. Simply because I’d rather not be called [butch]."<ref>Riley, "Don't call me butch: What kind of lez are you?" September 21, 2011. ''Lez Get Real.'' http://web.archive.org/web/20140116213509/http://lezgetreal.com/2011/09/dont-call-me-butch-what-kind-of-lez-are-you/ (archive)</ref> One definition of a lesbian boi is one who has casual sex, in contrast with the stereotype of the "U-Haul lesbian" (women so monogamous that they move in together on the second date), and are said to be more like young, sexually free adult men than butches, who are said to be more like mature, settled, football-watching married men.<ref>"Where the bois are." ''New York Magazine.'' http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/n_9709/</ref> Some define boi simply as a younger butch lesbian.<ref>Crain, Chris (2007-11-22). "Who’s The Fairest Twink Of Them All?". San Francisco Bay Times. Retrieved 2007-11-25. http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=7066</ref> | * In the lesbian community, "a 'boi' is a younger lesbian that typically looks and acts like a guy. She dresses in clothes designed for men, has a boyish hairstyle and carries herself like a dude [...] older lesbians generally aren’t referred to as 'bois.' I’m 31. Hell, I’m taking this term to the grave with me. Simply because I’d rather not be called [butch]."<ref>Riley, "Don't call me butch: What kind of lez are you?" September 21, 2011. ''Lez Get Real.'' http://web.archive.org/web/20140116213509/http://lezgetreal.com/2011/09/dont-call-me-butch-what-kind-of-lez-are-you/ (archive)</ref> One definition of a lesbian boi is one who has casual sex, in contrast with the stereotype of the "U-Haul lesbian" (women so monogamous that they move in together on the second date), and are said to be more like young, sexually free adult men than butches, who are said to be more like mature, settled, football-watching married men.<ref>"Where the bois are." ''New York Magazine.'' http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/n_9709/</ref> Some define boi simply as a younger butch lesbian.<ref>Crain, Chris (2007-11-22). "Who’s The Fairest Twink Of Them All?". San Francisco Bay Times. Retrieved 2007-11-25. http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=7066</ref> | ||
* A transgender man who is young, and/or who is early in his transition.<ref>Crain, Chris (2007-11-22). "Who’s The Fairest Twink Of Them All?". San Francisco Bay Times. Retrieved 2007-11-25. http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=7066</ref> | * A transgender man who is young, and/or who is early in his transition.<ref>Crain, Chris (2007-11-22). "Who’s The Fairest Twink Of Them All?". San Francisco Bay Times. Retrieved 2007-11-25. http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=7066</ref> | ||
* In the BDSM community, bois "are usually female submissives or bottoms and usually have a female Daddy. They are typically masculine or 'butch'."<ref>"BDSM terminology for newbies." ''BDSM Education.'' http://www.bdsm-education.com/terminology.html</ref> | * In the BDSM community, bois "are usually female submissives or bottoms and usually have a female Daddy. They are typically masculine or 'butch'."<ref>"BDSM terminology for newbies." ''BDSM Education.'' http://www.bdsm-education.com/terminology.html</ref> | ||
* Some transgender people who were assigned female at birth identify as bois rather than-- or in addition to-- identifying as [[transgender men]]. One such person explained why: "Justin, who is 19 and didn't want to use his last name because he's not out to his family as transgender, calls himself a 'boi' -- with an 'i' -- because he feels like a boy -- with a 'y' -- but 'I don't have the boy parts, as much as I wish I did.' 'I'm still learning the ropes of just being me,' he added."<ref | * Some transgender people who were assigned female at birth identify as bois rather than-- or in addition to-- identifying as [[transgender men]]. One such person explained why: "Justin, who is 19 and didn't want to use his last name because he's not out to his family as transgender, calls himself a 'boi' -- with an 'i' -- because he feels like a boy -- with a 'y' -- but 'I don't have the boy parts, as much as I wish I did.' 'I'm still learning the ropes of just being me,' he added."<ref name="Marech" /> | ||
* Some people who were assigned female at birth call themselves bois to mean that they partly or completely don't identify as feminine, female, a girl, or a woman. Some of these bois identify as transgender or intersex.<ref>Faderman, Lillian; Stuart Timmons (2006). Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians. Basic Books. ISBN 0-465-02288-X. Retrieved 2008-06-23.</ref> | * Some people who were assigned female at birth call themselves bois to mean that they partly or completely don't identify as feminine, female, a girl, or a woman. Some of these bois identify as transgender or intersex.<ref>Faderman, Lillian; Stuart Timmons (2006). Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians. Basic Books. ISBN 0-465-02288-X. Retrieved 2008-06-23.</ref> | ||
* Some people who call themselves bois see boi as a genderqueer identity or nonbinary gender. They may see themselves as transgender or cisgender. Their style of dress may combine masculine and feminine gender expressions, in an expression called "[[clothing#mixed-gender fashion|genderfuck]]." They may go by "he," "she," or [[pronouns|gender neutral pronouns]].<ref> | * Some people who call themselves bois see boi as a genderqueer identity or nonbinary gender. They may see themselves as transgender or cisgender. Their style of dress may combine masculine and feminine gender expressions, in an expression called "[[clothing#mixed-gender fashion|genderfuck]]." They may go by "he," "she," or [[pronouns|gender neutral pronouns]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Boi or grrl? Pop culture redefining gender|work=MSNBC.|date=2005-10-01|access-date=2007-05-07|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9556134/}}</ref> | ||
People have the right to self-identify, but they also need to self-identify responsibly, with awareness of their label's history, whether it is cultural appropriation, and whether it is the most accurate label they can find. Part of the usefulness of this wiki is in helping people do that, so they can research a label's history and meaning, and make sure they have the most accurate one. | People have the right to self-identify, but they also need to self-identify responsibly, with awareness of their label's history, whether it is cultural appropriation, and whether it is the most accurate label they can find. Part of the usefulness of this wiki is in helping people do that, so they can research a label's history and meaning, and make sure they have the most accurate one. | ||
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==Other queer masculine identities== | ==Other queer masculine identities== | ||
Some other queer masculine identities are ag, [[butch]], stud, [[tomboy]], and | Some other queer masculine identities are ag, [[butch]], stud, [[tomboy]], and [[transmasculine]]. Each of these words have their own nuances of meaning, which can be very different from one community to the next. This section should explore some of the ways that boi differs from these. | ||
==Related terms== | ==Related terms== | ||
* boifriend. If one's lover or partner identifies as a boi, it's common to say they are one's boifriend. | * boifriend. If one's lover or partner identifies as a boi, it's common to say they are one's boifriend. | ||
* queerboi<ref | * queerboi<ref name="Marech" /> | ||
* transboi<ref | * transboi<ref name="Marech" /> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||