There are so many stereotypes out there that arenât always true. When it comes to lesbian stereotypes, things can get pretty ridiculous! Whether youâve been victim of a lesbian stereotype or assumed one about someone else, Her Campus is here to set things straight. Weâve talked to collegiettes and come up with a list of lesbian stereotypes that just arenât always true. Take notes, ladies!
1. Lesbians all play softball
There could not be a more ridiculous stereotype. A lot of women play softball, and not all of them are lesbians! People play softball based on if they enjoy the sport, not based on how they choose to identify themselves sexually. âA lot of times people think that all softball players are lesbians,â shares Nicole Paiotti, a junior at Rowan University. âBut thatâs just not true.â Just because some softball players are more muscular than other girls doesnât mean they are lesbians. Being muscular has to do with your body type and how often you work out!
2. Lesbians canât be feminine
Saying that lesbians canât be feminine can be insulting to lesbians who enjoy embracing their femininity. While some lesbians want to look more masculine, others like girly clothing and makeup. Itâs all about personal preference!
Ashley Lessa, a junior at Emerson College, says that some lesbians (like herself) enjoy feminine things like makeup and fashion. âI don’t wear snapbacks or boxers but I am equally as much of a lesbian as those who choose to wear more traditionally âmasculineâ clothing,â she says.
Alexandra Sakellariou, a junior at McGill University, agrees. âTurns out some of us do like pink, sparkles and some good old retail therapy,â she adds. âWhen I tell people I’m into girls, they’re always surprised because I don’t âlookâ like I’m lesbian or bi.â Ditch the idea that lesbians have to look a certain way! Each person has their own look outside of their sexuality.
3. Lesbians hate men
Saying that lesbians hate men is like saying that straight women hate womenâso untrue! Just because you arenât attracted to a certain sex doesnât mean that you canât develop a positive relationship with them and be friends. âIâm not sure why people think that lesbians hate men,â says Brooke Pearson, a junior at James Madison University. âStraight women donât hate other women! Itâs the same scenario.â
4. Lesbians just havenât been with the right guy yet
Saying that lesbians are only attracted to females because they havenât been with the right guy yet is insulting to their sexual preferences. They like girls because thatâs who theyâre attracted to! No one tells straight women that theyâre straight because they havenât been with the right girl yet. A womanâs sexual preferences should only concern herself.
5. Lesbians will crush on all their female friends
Some people also think that all lesbians will develop crushes on their girl friendsâŠwrong again! Straight girls donât have crushes on all their guy friends, and itâs the same way for lesbians. âI have a bunch of lesbian friends and they donât hit on me,â says Emily Montgomery, a student at Cape Fear Community College. Donât push away friendships with lesbians out of fear that theyâll develop a crush on youâyou never know when a lifelong bond could form.
6. In lesbian couples, one person is âthe manâ
Many people think that when it comes to lesbian couples, one person is the âmanâ and one person is the âwoman.â Talk about heteronormative! A lesbian couple is just two women who have feelings for each other. Letâs work together as collegiettes to eliminate these stereotypes and stop assuming things about people that we donât know are true!
7. Lesbians drive SUVs
Assuming that lesbians drive SUVs is pretty ridiculousâwhat does car preference have to do with sexuality? Some straight women drive SUVs, some lesbian women drive SUVs and some bi women drive SUVs. See a pattern? Didnât think so. There is not a certain type of car that lesbian women are programmed to drive! Letâs ditch these ideas that are in our heads and start being more open.
Now that weâve established that these stereotypes arenât always true, you should be more open-minded and considerate with lesbian friends and acquaintances. Stereotypes can be offensive no matter who theyâre about, so itâs important to take a step back and consider what youâre assuming before someone gets hurt.