Photographer Esther Godoy Wants You to Know “Butch is Not a Dirty Word”

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Available Summary:

Esther Godoy’s journey with the word “butch” began when they were a young queer person discovering their identity. A transformative trip to Portland in their early 20s introduced them to Portland’s queer community, inspiring Godoy to embrace their masculinity. The acceptance they experienced in Portland was a stark contrast to their experiences back home in Australia, where, even in the queer community, they faced a painful rejection for their masculine-of-center gender expression. But Godoy’s experiences gave them a unique perspective on butch identity that eventually sparked an idea for a project.

Originally, it was just supposed to be one small zine. But after the first release party in 2016, the idea grew. Now Godoy’s project is a fully fledged multimedia platform: a print and web magazine, an online presence, and Godoy also produces in-person community events in Portland and beyond. In their own words, “Butch is Not a Dirty Word” is the “world’s largest media resource dedicated to Butch identity, visibility and voice.” Through storytelling and photography, Esther Godoy intimately documents, celebrates and uplifts Butch voices and Butch identity.

-Oregon Public Broadcasting, YouTube.

Note from Jack:

I've loved BINADW for a long time, and I highly recommend visiting their website and social media platforms. I don't know of a more diverse, inclusive, modern platform which so thoroughly captures butch diversity. Among BINADW's subjects are butches who have mastectomies and breast reductions for affirmation, and some who take testosterone. I bring that up because I think many LGBT+ people are unaware that some butches do seek that medical affirmation, and the visibility facilitated by this series may help with acceptance and pride for those people.