The aggressive butch role was the most developed in the leaders of the late fifties. You were there, you were gay, you were queer, and you were masculine.“ But you never failed, or you tried not to…. Or you’d kicked his ass she brought you dinner then. They cared for us, but you don’t think for a minute they would have stayed with us too long or something if we stood there and just were silent… Nine times out of then, she’d be with you to help with your black eye and your split lip.

And we’d knock them on their ass and if one couldn’t do it, we’d all help. And we all did at that time, those that were out in their pants and t-shirts- that’s what we did at that time. You would naturally get up and fight the guy- at least, I would. He so rejected by this no that he would, boom, go to you. It was because they hated you… “How come this queer can have you, and I can do this and that….” You didn’t hardly have time to say anything, but all she would have to say no, when he said, “Let’s go, I’ll get you away from this.” And she would say no. Most of the time you got all your punches for the fem anyhow, you know. 'Well, you had to be strong- roll with the punches, more or less- if some guy whacked you, said, 'Hey, babe,” you know.

The cultivated masculine mannerisms were necessary on the street. Sandy describes the connection between her appearance and her need to be an effective fighter. [“Not surprisingly, with the severe harassment, the butch role in these communities during the fifties became identified with defending oneself and one’s girl in the rough bars and on the streets. The Persistent Desire: A Femme-Butch Reader, editor Joan Nestle, 1992: Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy & Madeline Davis.

The Persistent Desire by Joan Nestle