You've probably seen it in dating app bios, social media profiles, or LGBTQ+ spaces: "masc," "masc-presenting." But what does it actually mean when someone identifies as masc?
more nuanced than you might think—and it's definitely not just about wearing button-downs and having short hair.
Beyond the Binary: What "Masc" Actually Means
"Masc" is short for masculine, but in LGBTQ+ contexts, it refers to how someone presents themselves or relates to masculinity, rather than their gender identity itself.
Here's the key distinction:
- Gender identity = who you are (man, woman, non-binary, genderfluid, etc.)
- Gender presentation/expression = how you show up in the world (masc, femme, androgynous, etc.)
Someone can be:
- A non-binary person who presents masc
- A woman who identifies as masc or masculine-of-center
- A trans man who's masc-presenting
- Genderfluid and sometimes masc, or sometimes not
What Does Masc Look Like?
This is where it gets personal, because masc looks different on everyone. But some common threads include:
Style & Presentation:
- Clothing from the "men's" section
- Short or slicked-back hair (though not always)
- Minimal or no makeup (though some masc folks absolutely wear makeup)
- Binding or compression to create a flatter chest
- Boxers, sports bras, or chest binders
But here's the thing: none of these are requirements. Masculinity is diverse, and so is being masc.
Why the Fashion Industry Has Failed Masc Folks
Here's the uncomfortable truth: most clothing isn't made for masc-presenting people with curves, chests, hips, or non-male bodies.
"Men's" clothing assumes:
- Flat chest
- Narrow hips
- Broader shoulders
- Longer torso, shorter legs
"Women's" clothing assumes:
- You want to emphasize curves
- You're comfortable with form-fitting styles
- You want feminine cuts and details
Masc folks get stuck in the middle. The shirt doesn't fit over your chest. The pants gap at the waist. The swimwear is either a bikini or board shorts that don't account for your body. The binder shows through everything.
This isn't just annoying—it's dysphoric. When you can't find clothes that fit both your body AND your identity, getting dressed becomes a daily negotiation with discomfort.
"But I Thought Masc Was Just For..."
Let's clear up some misconceptions:
"Isn't masc just for lesbians?" No. While the term has deep roots in lesbian culture (particularly butch identity), masc is used across the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum—by trans men, non-binary people, bi/pan folks, and yes, lesbians too.
"If you're masc, does that mean you want to be a man?" Not necessarily. Some masc people are men (trans or cis). Others are women who are masculine-presenting. Many are non-binary. Masc describes presentation and expression, not inherent gender.
"Can you be masc and still like 'feminine' things?" Absolutely. Masculinity isn't a checklist. You can be masc and love cooking, wear jewelry, be nurturing, enjoy romance, express emotions openly. Rigid masculinity is toxic masculinity.
Why Language Matters
When someone tells you they're masc, they're sharing something important about how they move through the world. They're giving you context for:
- How they might want to be perceived
- What kind of clothing and spaces feel comfortable to them
- How they relate to their own body and presentation
- What aspects of gender expression feel authentic
Respecting that identity means:
- Not assuming their gender based on their presentation
- Understanding that "masc" can mean different things to different people
- Not policing how masculine they "should" be
- Recognizing that presentation and identity are deeply personal
The Future Is Masc (And Everything Else)
The beauty of terms like "masc" is that they create space for complexity. You don't have to fit into "man" or "woman," "masculine" or "feminine." You can exist in the in-between, the both-and, the neither-nor.
🏳️🌈 You don't owe anyone androgyny. You don't owe anyone femininity. You don't owe anyone traditional masculinity either. You owe yourself authenticity.