Today I realized it's been over a year since I started this blog.  It began as a random project to let me opine about butch fashion, gender expression, etc.  Since then, BW has grown to over 1000 unique readers daily (40,000-50,000 monthly!) and been voted About.com's Best Lesbian Blog of the Year. You've commented over 1000 times to my over 150 posts.  Wow, dear readers.

I didn't expect to enjoy writing BW this much.  Yeah, I love writing.  And yeah, I care about these issues.  But I wasn't expecting to receive hundreds of emails saying that a blog entry made you think, or made you laugh, or helped you get through your day in some small way.  Thank you so much for reading.  It means a whole lot to this butch.

I hope this year will be even better.  I want to keep writing stuff you enjoy and find relevant, keep giving you solid fashion advice, and keep starting different dialogues about gender and sexual orientation.  I want to finally flesh out the Butch Store, have more guest posts, and make occasional video or audio postings.  Maybe we'll grow, maybe not.  Maybe I'll finally break even on this thing (ha!), maybe not.  But regardless, we're all going to have a really freakin' good time and keep building this community of readers, butches and non-butches alike.

Whether you're a new reader or a longtime one: thank you for making this year awesome.

Love, hugs, and fistbumps,
Butch Wonders

P.S. Some of you have written asking if I've covered particular topics.  This weekend, I'll make an index that should be easier to navigate than the usual post tags, and will help you see what I've written about various things.

P.P.S. Thanks again.  You rock.

If you're like me, you think lesbianism and Republican Party membership go together about as well as horseradish and chocolate.  But the Log Cabin Republicans disagree.  They're a national organization of openly gay GOP members who want to strengthen the Republican Party, limit government, promote free markets, and advocate for LGBT equality.

Intrigued by this seeming contradiction, I contacted Log Cabin and asked for an interview with a member.  I soon heard back from Casey Pick (pictured), Programs Director at the organization's national office, who is an out  butch lesbian.  She graciously agreed to an IM interview for BW, which I've printed here (edited for length and clarity).  Unless otherwise specified, her answers are hers alone and not that of the Log Cabin Republicans.

BW: Thank you so much for agreeing to talk to me.  I really appreciate your time.

CP: Absolutely. I enjoyed reading your blog earlier, so I've been looking forward to this.

BW: Thanks for reading!  I'd love to start by asking a little about you.  You're in your late 20s, and a graduate of UCLA Law School, is that right?

CP: That's correct. I'm a proud Bruin, and a licensed attorney in the state of California.  Now I'm the programs director for the National Log Cabin Republicans.

BW: Have you been a Republican since you were young?

CP: No, I became a Republican in college, shortly after the 2004 elections. That's quite a story.

BW: I'd love to hear it.  I was guessing that you've always identified as Republican, then came out later in life as a lesbian.

CP: I'd always been pretty moderate, but sort of a "Democrat by default," especially after I realized my orientation in high school. But when I went to college at Claremont McKenna, I started to really define my political views, discovering that I was much more of a national security hawk--I was strongly affected by the 9/11 attacks--and that I really did believe in a free market and conservative political philosophy.

BW:  That's interesting. 

CP: But still, I was more concerned about gay rights than party politics, so I didn't make the change until two big things happened. CMC invited Patrick Guerriero, then Executive Director of Log Cabin Republicans to speak, and I really admired the work he was doing to change the party from within. The second thing was when I watched Democrats, after losing in 2004, start blaming Kerry's loss on LGBT people, and talking about how the Democratic Party needed to get in with religious voters.

BW: What was the political climate like at Claremont McKenna?

CP: CMC is a special place. It is one of the only schools I know of where the student body splits pretty evenly into liberal/conservative/independent, and we've been called the most political campus in the country. Add to that a really strong emphasis on leadership and studying government, and you have a politics wonk's dream!

BW: Did you grow up in California?

CP: I was born in CA and lived there until my mother decided to go to law school when I was 10 or so. We moved to Iowa, but I kept going back to CA during the summer, so it never really stopped feeling like home.

BW: I bet you miss it!

CP: I do! I've got plane tickets in hand for a trip to Palm Springs this summer, actually.

BW: So when you began to ID with a conservative political philosophy, did you feel tension between your sexual orientation and new political leanings?

CP: Given that it was 2004, and I had just watched 11 states pass constitutional amendments banning marriage equality, I knew there was work to be done in the GOP. It was very important to me, knowing that I was a conservative at heart--and also a newly born-again Christian... it was an intense time - it was important that I use my ability to speak, Republican-to-Republican, evangelical-to-evangelical, in order to change hearts and minds for equality. I was going to be a Republican, but I wasn't going to abandon my pro-equality principles at the door. And frankly, I believe the GOP's core principle of freedom and individual liberty is entirely in line with LGBT equality.

BW: Did your Christian beliefs cause any tension re: your sexual orientation?

CP: I became a Christian after really getting to know and love some of my evangelical neighbors at CMC, so they knew I was gay and welcomed me from the start. I will say that my orientation, and a long fear of Christians/God, made it harder to accept my faith, but now I reconcile the two happily, and enjoy helping others do the same. It's a theme in my life - I like to be a bridge.

BW: I agree that freedom and individual liberty is in line with LGBT equality.  But I'm skeptical of the idea that freedom and individual liberty are in line with the Republican agenda.  Economic freedom and deregulation, yes.  Social freedom, no.

CP: Well, there are many Republicans who believe, as Vice President Dick Cheney said, "freedom means freedom for everyone" - and on issues like LGBT liberty, more Republicans are coming on board every day.

BW: More may be coming on board.  But in absolute numbers, it still seems low compared to Democrats.

CP: The LGBT community has spent a long time investing in and educating the left side of the aisle. I find it unfortunate that we've conceded territory on the right for so long that now Democrats sometimes take our votes for granted. Log Cabin Republicans is working hard to do much of that same work on the right, and it's bearing results - I'd point to important votes on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal, or to marriage in NY, WA and NH as examples of where hard work pays off.

BW: But if the Republican Party really believed in getting out of our personal lives, wouldn't they be totally accepting of LGBTQ folks? 

CP: We have to remember that the movement for LGBT equality, slow as it may seem, has actually moved very fast. As a matter of political philosophy, conservatives tend to be more cautious of social change in general, and the reality is that a large portion of this nation is still coming to grips with what it means for gay people to be out, proud, and forming families.

BW: But if conservatives supposedly care about personal freedom, why do they tend to be cautious about social change?

CP: A lot of times, what is marketed as change - as in, say, a "hope and change" agenda - is really about giving government more control. At the same time, it's about the law of unintended consequences - if we change this, what happens next that we can't see? This is the academic, geeky butch coming out in me - it's Burke, Hayek, that kind of political philosopher that says beware radical changes, and to a lot of folks, LGBT rights still seem radical. But as people learn that we're just like them, interested in going to work, raising our families, sometimes serving our nation in uniform - the more they learn that, the less radical we seem and the more progress we make among conservatives.

BW: The fact that we have to "convince" Republicans that we're "just like them" suggests to me they DO care about getting into our personal lives.

CP: It isn't so much about your personal life as about what society looks like as a whole. Conservatives often believe that a self-governing society, one which can maintain a high level of freedom, requires strong families and other private institutions to provide stability.

BW: The values you're articulating sound more Libertarian than Republican.

CP: The GOP, like the Democrats, isn't a monolith. We're a coalition which includes your libertarians, your national security hawks, your social conservatives, and so on, and we don't always agree.

BW: The idea that strong private institutions should be a source of social stability is another place you and I diverge.  I'm wary of the idea that private institutions--that are hard to hold accountable--should be a big source of social stability.  Look at outsourcing.  I'd argue that insufficient regulation is why we have such a withered manufacturing base.

CP: And I'd come back pointing out that we have some of the highest corporate tax rates and most burdensome regulations in the world. I think we'd enjoy a debate over a couple of beers. 

BW: Agreed.

CP: Btw, I enjoyed reading your field guide on types of butch lesbians--I'm going to be thinking about that for awhile!

BW: Thanks.  Do you ID as butch?  Which one are you?

CP: I'm slightly on the butch side of the spectrum. All about holding open doors, being protective, and let's just say not a lot of work got done during the women's NCAA basketball tournament!

BW: Okay, back to The Gays: What’s your reaction to Obama’s stance re: gay marriage?

CP: Obviously it's tremendously significant, and having the president on the right side of this issue is in the nation's best interests. That said, Americans can be certain that the President would not have made this decision at this time if it were not in his best political interests. ...the trap is laid for any Republican who responds with intolerance. I think a lot of Republicans know this, which is why you're seeing a pretty mild, measured response, particularly from people like Speaker Boehner and Governor Romney, who is only bringing it up when asked so far.

BW: Do you see gay rights as a states' issue?

CP: I will say I was very disappointed in the timing of the announcement. I was on the ground in North Carolina working against Amendment One, and I know that there were a lot of people there who were hurting at that defeat, who are asking now why the president couldn't have come out for this one day sooner, which it might have made a difference for them. So while I'm happy he's finally caught up to Dick Cheney on this, in a way the timing of it just made it bittersweet.

BW: Do you agree with Cheney that it's a states' rights issue?

CP: Log Cabin Republicans are working hard to pass a federal employment nondiscrimination act and other important legislation for LGBT Americans at the federal level - but we do sometimes make the argument that the federal government should show more respect for the states. To conservatives, it is a strong argument to remind them that the federal Defense of Marriage Act was actually an unprecedented intrusion on states' rights, and that today it is actually working in an anti-federalist way by allowing - forcing, even - the federal government to ignore marriages in states like New York and New Hampshire where the state has decided to grant marriage rights. If we treated marriage like a states rights issue, we'd be recognizing those marriages today for purposes of federal benefits like social security and taxes. That said, we do agree with former Bush administration solicitor general Ted Olson that marriage is a fundamental freedom due to all Americans, gay or straight.

BW: Ted Olson is an excellent advocate. Do you think it would hurt Romney politically if he  came out in favor of gay marriage? Or, put differently, do you think that the Republicans have basically given up on getting the gay vote?

CP: There is a growing number of Republicans leaders who are aware that campaigning on marriage, or even appearing antigay in any way, is a losing strategy for the GOP. I'd point you to an article in the Washington Post which shows more and more Republicans strongly encouraging the party to take a more modern stance on these issues. That said, social issues activists like the National Organization for Marriage and the Family Research Council aren't going away just yet.

BW: It must be annoying to you that so many visible Republicans are so anti gay rights.

CP: It isn't just about the gay vote at this point - those gay voters have friends, family, co-workers, and polls are consistent in showing that moderates, younger voters and women are inclined to support equality. It's a growing voting block to be taken into consideration.  It's frustrating sometimes, not just because as a gay woman I find some of what is said offensive, but also because I think that kind of rhetoric is harmful to the Republican Party.

BW: You think Romney would lose votes if he came out in favor of equal rights for LGBTQ Americans?

CP: I think there are some measures Governor Romney could comfortably take to reach out on issues of equality, including support for employment nondiscrimination. On marriage, I think he has stated his position and intends to stay with it, though Log Cabin Republicans have informed him of our disagreement and strong desire to see DOMA repealed.

BW: Do you foresee Obama repealing DOMA if he's elected again?

CP: The question is whether I see him investing significant political capital to move DOMA repeal through Congress. Given his anemic efforts on DADT repeal and broken promises on the federal contractor executive order against employment discrimination, I'm not optimistic.

BW: [Sigh.] Me either re: his political capital.  [Though I'll definitely be voting for him come November.]

CP: See? Not only is a lesbian Log Cabin Republican not a unicorn, I'm also not crazy!

BW: You've been super generous with your time.  A couple more questions?

CP: Sure.

BW:  I listened to another interview with you, and the interviewer was literally yelling at you for being a gay Republican.  Do you get that a lot?

CP: Especially this week! Our statement in response to President Obama ruffled a few feathers.  But yeah, there are plenty of people who don't understand how a person can stay in a party where there is significant disagreement on something as personal as marriage and families. I remind them that I am a multifaceted human being who cares about a lot of issues; that somebody has to be willing to speak with the right side of the aisle if we're ever going to truly win equality; and that it's my party, too - I'm not about to be driven out of it or told I can't be a Republican.  We won't have real freedom as LGBT people in this country if there's still the idea out there that your sexual orientation dictates your politics.

BW: To me, civil rights are so personal that it would be hard to be a member of a party whose official platforms suggested that I was inferior.

CP: Civil rights matter to me, too - that's why I do this work. I think the most important battleground for equality today is with people who disagree with us, and if I have the knowledge, perspective and, frankly, stubbornness to have those conversations, then it's my job to do so.  Log Cabin Republicans are unapologetically Republican and unapologetically pro-equality, and that's why I'm proud to be a member.

BW: Although I disagree with you in many ways, I'm glad that there are people like you in the Republican Party. 

CP: We need folks on the left pushing Democrats, too, so if you're not a Republican, you've still got work to do. I'm happy to work with other advocates to get things done. Log Cabin works with Freedom to Marry, Immigration Equality, Servicemembers United, GLSEN, to make equality a reality.

BW: Here's a question I know a lot of readers are wondering: does being a Republican affect your dating life?

CP: Being a workaholic political activist affects my dating life!

BW: I can just imagine it.  Candlelit dinner, romantic music...  then all of a sudden, you say it: "Honey, I'm a Republican."  Do you encounter a lot of women who are just like, "I totally don't get you."

CP: To be honest, yes- there are some folks who find it a turn-off, who think I must be self-loathing or fundamentally greedy, willing to trade equality for tax cuts. For others, it's not the Party, but being deeply involved in these issues. Thankfully, it rarely gets that far - when the answer to the question "so what do you do?" is "I lobby Republicans for gay rights," that screens out those types pretty effectively.

BW: I bet.  Do you prefer to date other Republicans?

CP: Lol! If that was my criterion, I'd be in trouble. I prefer to date people who are passionate about whatever they believe in. Clearly I'm comfortable with liberals and have plenty of lefty friends - I don't discriminate.

BW: Who's your dream woman?  Ann Coulter? Rachel Maddow?

CP:  *shudders* No thank you.

BW: Shudders to whom?  Both of 'em?

CP: Pretty much, though Rachel has her moments.

BW: LOL--if she was a conservative, you know you'd be all over that.

CP: No doubt! Sadly, she's not so fond of Log Cabin types.

BW: Maybe she'll invite you on her show one of these days.

CP: I think I'd enjoy that conversation - sparks would fly, just not romantically!

BW: Well, I should wrap up, but just want to say thanks again.  It's been fun talking with you, Casey.

CP: Anytime - it's been a nice break.

BW: Good luck.

CP: Thanks.

First, let's get three things out of the way.  (1) I voted for President Obama, and expect to do so again; (2) It is awesome that, for the first time in US history, a sitting president has announced his support for gay marriage; (3) This may be an important step toward building a national consensus.

Still, I felt more annoyed than excited about the President's announcement today.  Some sources have portrayed this as an "edgy" or potentially divisive move (as has Obama himself).  The President also stated: "I had hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought civil unions would be sufficient, that that was something that would give people hospital visitation rights and other elements that we take for granted..."  As if, after wrestling with the facts, he has finally evolved into a supporter.

I say: bullshit.  Like any self-respecting Constitutional law professor and civil rights advocate, Obama supported gay marriage before he became a presidential candidate.  Then, once he decided to run, he eschewed these privately-held beliefs.  Not coincidentally, the polls at that time showed that a majority of Americans opposed same-sex marriage, too.  More recently, the political balance tipped, and a majority of Americans now support same-sex marriage.  Then--voila--after testing the waters with VP Biden's announcement yesterday, President Obama suddenly comes out supporting same-sex marriage, too? 

The President's open support of same-sex marriage is wonderful, but let's be honest: if most Americans had supported gay marriage in 2008, he would have supported it back then.  And if public support hadn't grown, he wouldn't have come out in favor of it now. President Obama is, foremost, a politician.  If we pretend that we're that much more to him than another issue, another constituency, another factor in the political calculus, we're kidding ourselves.

Dearest Readers,

Take out your keyboards and sharpen your wits, because I'm actively soliciting guest posts!  I'll keep writing nearly all the stuff on BW, but I think it'd be fun to change it up sometimes (and from the reader survey I gave a few weeks ago, I know you guys would love occasional guest posts, too!). 

So, I need YOU.  If you want to write something for the blog, shoot me an email at butchwonders [at] yahoo [dot] com. 

You're free to make up your own topic.  I'm particularly interested in topics I don't know enough about to write in depth, including:

• Drag king life
  
• Racial issues in the butch community
• What are femme-femme dating relationships like?
  
• Lesbian life in some non-US city (especially if it's one where I have a lot of readers: London, Toronto, Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong, Calgary, Auckland, Calgary, Vancouver, Verdun, or Hamburg).
• The perspective of a trans woman who identifies as butch
• Anything else you think might be interesting!
  

HFAQ (Hypothetically Frequently Asked Questions):

Q: Do I have to use my real name?
A: No, but you can if you want to.

Q: How long does it have to be?
A: Shoot for 200-500 words.  But there's no specific length minimum or maximum.

Q: What if you don't like what I write?
A: Then I won't use it.  But I'll have the courtesy to explain why, and you'll be free to resubmit.

Q: But I'm straight [or a man, or a femme, etc.]!
A: Great!  I don't care if you're male, female, neither, straight, bi, gay, queer, fat, skinny, cisgendered, black, brown, or white.  If you have anything to say that's relevant to lesbians generally or butchy types specifically, I'd love to hear it. 

Q: Can I submit pictures?  How about a video?
A: Yes, and yes!

Q: Can I run a topic by you ahead of time?
A: Sure.

Q: You never write sex stuff.  I'll write sex stuff for you!
A: Well, in addition to my dandy-style prudishness, I actually like the blog to be SFW (safe for work).  But there are some awesome sex bloggers out there, and if you write to me, I'd be happy to recommend a few!  (Come to think of it, that would make another great guest post: best lesbian sex blogs, with SFW descriptions...)

Q: Who will read it?
A: These days, I have about 1500 readers daily.  So I'd guess 3000-4000.  Possibly more.

Q: I already write a blog.  Can I cross-post?
A: Sure!  Just let me know what you're up to.

Q: Are you going to have a lot of these?
A: I was thinking of one or two a month, depending how many I get.

Q: My grammar is horrible.
A: Mine isn't too bad.  I'll help you edit.

Q: But I'm only 18! (Or, I'm 75!)
A: Who cares?  I get readers of all ages and I love different perspectives.

Q: But I hate writing!
A: Um, then don't do it.  I'll still love you. 

I hope some of you will think about this--I'd really love to hear from you, and I know a bunch of BW readers would, too!

Mucho affection and a kiss on the forehead,
BW

I just wanted to take a second to point you toward some blog entries I've enjoyed from other bloggers in the past month or so:

• Kyle from Butchtastic talks about the new TSA guidelines for transgender travelers.  (Some of this stuff applies to genderqueer travelers, too.)  I'm guessing that some trans men, particularly those in the early stages of transition, might flinch at being patted down by a person of the gender they choose to "present."  What does this mean, exactly?  Check out Kyle's reflections here.
• Maddox of Neutrois Nonsense writes about what it's like having been on a low dose of testosterone for three months.  I always enjoy Maddox's writing, and this is particularly interesting.
• Chris, author of The Feral Librarian, writes this candid post about the transgressive nature of wearing a men's suit, reflecting on the (semi-)comfort she's afforded by her own position of privilege and wondering whether her coworkers ever wish that she'd "tone down" the butchness.
  
• A Butch in the Kitchen offers up a delectable-looking recipe for making Nutella-filled sugar cookies.  Then she has to go and taunt us by telling us how good they tasted with coffee.  *Drool.*
• G from Can I Help You Sir opines about the plight of young gay Mormons, asking: do they truly understand the life they're choosing?  
• Bren, one of the authors of Buzz Cuts and Bustiers, writes an interesting post about her own reflections on her gender identity: what "butch" means to her, the apparent contradictions in how she identifies in different situations, and Allen Ginsberg's "Howl."

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.  All six are great blogs to follow!

When I was first coming out, I thought that being gay would be a big huge pain in the neck.  I expected to be stared at when I was out with a girlfriend, I thought my straight friends wouldn't feel close to me, and that I'd always feel excluded at straight weddings and baby showers (if I was even invited). 

Some of these fears weren't entirely unfounded, but in my everyday life, the downsides of being queer were far smaller than I'd expected.  Sure, there were a few lousy surprises (e.g., sometimes people stare, and the "convert a straight girl, get a toaster" thing turns out to be a total scam).  But overall, being queer brought more good surprises than bad ones. 

One of these good surprises: kissing is fun!  And just for the sake of kissing, not as requisite foreplay (who knew?).  For another, I realized I love fashion.  Liberated to wear what I want, I now love reading about fashion and shopping for myself and other people.  My younger self (who broke out in hives just walking near Macy's) would never have believed this was possible.

While I was thinking about the surprise perks of being gay, I posted a question on Facebook yesterday "What's the #1 SURPRISINGLY best thing about being gay?"  I received over 50 answers and thought I'd share some:

• "Being gay I have gotten a lot closer to my family...I am very fortunate in that regard."
• "The fact that you understand how your partner's body function in bed. That's an undeniable advantage ;)"
• "Getting to be lovers with butches!"
  
• "Not having to worry about getting her knocked up."
• "Being able to be your true self."
• "You can share pieces of clothing."
• "Go TOGETHER in a public bathroom and no one will EVER ask questions. ;)" 
  
• "Being different!"
• "My community. The incredible bond in bed with my GF."
• "Being openly queer means you have a built-in filter that will detect and remove a good portion of the closed-minded jerks that could potentially enter your life. It's truly a great tool for screening out assholes, stodgy work environments, and boring parties."  (I thought that was a particularly terrific [and true!] answer.)
• "We have the BEST PARTIES!!! :P"
• "I finally feeling like i belong somewhere :)"
• "The courage that comes, the friends that love you as you are, the being able to breathe as a whole human."
• "Contentment deep within, like everything is the way it's supposed to be!"
• "Great sex and can't get pregnant!! ;)"  (I love not worrying about pregnancy--and not being on birth control pills.  Yeesh!)
  
• "On a personal level it's the freedom to date/express my attraction to women without the feeling that it is wrong."
• "Raising our children with diversity... love and acceptance of others.  My kids will have obstacles because they have two moms. But they will also have advantages because they are taught to 'dare to be different' and walk to the beat of your own drum!"
• "It used to be the novelty factor, as explained by Armistead Maupin. But there are so many of us out now, and we are more accepted, so that's not really it anymore."
• "Not being constantly asked when I'm gonna have kids is lovely."
• "The ultimate is being able to be yourself, no matter what. Knowing that how you feel is natural and not anything to be ashamed of."
• "The people I've become close to that I wouldn't know if i was straight."
• "When i came out to all the managers in the company i worked for at a meeting and they all clapped for me and gave me hugs that i could finally be open."
  
• "Knowing who my real friends & real family are...  and proud of my grandmother for telling me half the world is gay anyway! lol, she's probably more right than she knows ;)"
• "Meeting and marrying my wife was also surprisingly wonderful... I was told I'd never get married or have kids...HA! to you i say!"
• "The look on str8 ppls faces when I (obvious dyke/butch) walk in a room with my 2 beautiful daughters, one adopted and one birth.  They look so startled and confused, like deer in headlights. LOL is it wrong that I giggle inside every time?"
• "We can share dressing rooms, and bathrooms ;) and clothes. Also, having the same thought processes, same body parts which makes for very easy understanding of each other's pain and pleasure."
• "It has brought my mom and i closer and I have made amazing friends through lgbt groups."
• "That moment when either the viciously judgmental comments or the 'totally understanding' - 'well, good for you,' never come. It eases my cynical heart just the tiniest bit more."
• "Being out, being myself, supports my honesty and integrity. Being with the person that i fell in love with. Living life completely and wholly, not hiding who I am."
• "Kissing another woman. Best thing ever."
• "Breaking the stereotypical ignorance of some: 'you don't look like a lesbian.'"
• "I can be who I am, a Beauty King."
• "Knowing I'm right where I belong."
• "I am free!"
  

Do any of these answers resonate with you, dear readers?  What was the best surprise for *you* about being queer?

I've decided to try out a chat forum, just as an experiment for a few weeks, to give BW readers a chance to chat with each other about various topics.  I may pop in occasionally, too.  Check it out using the new "forum" link above. 

Secondly...  betcha thought I was going to forget about March's "weird-ass search terms that got people to my blog" list, didn't you?  No way--I saved the list, just hadn't gotten around to posting it.  So, for your enjoyment:

• "black button up shirt for 12 month olds" (How did this person get to my site with this search?  And doesn't that seem a touch formal for a 12-month-old?)
• "is ellen degeneres a butch lesbian?"  (As far as the media is concerned, yes.  As far as I'm concerned, she makes the Field Guide, but only barely.)
• "big bad lesbian butch tubes"  (What!?!)
• "san francisco dyke tubes" (Seriously, will somebody please tell me what the deal is with lesbian "tubes?"  This shows up in my search list at least a few times every month, and it's just weird.)
  
• "lesbians hate penis invalidates my identity as a woman"  (Lesbians usually hate neither penises nor men; we just prefer to have neither in our beds.  And even if a lesbian did hate penises, how would that invalidate your identity as a woman??)
  
• "is it uncommon for butches to be attracted to butches?"  (Not as uncommon as you might think!)
• "what two butches do in bed"  (We exchange big bad lesbian butch tubes.)
  
• "can you be female identified and want to bind your chest" (Yes.  To my knowledge, the Community has not yet issued any Official Restrictions on female identification and chest-binding.)
  
• "straight girl attracted to butch girls"  (Um, maybe straight girl not so straight?)
• "straight women attracted to butch women" (See above.)
• "straight women attracted to butch" (Seriously.  Are you SURE you're straight?)
• "straight woman attracted to androgynous women" (Dude.  You are at least a little bit queer.  Explore that side of you, pronto.  Then please give my information to the Community so that I can get another toaster for my collection.)
  
• "mesh liner in swim shorts cause injury" (I've been trying to figure out what injury this could be.  A number of possibilities come to mind, mostly involving tangled male genitalia.  Ouch!)
• "not all butch women are transgender" (Excellent point.)
• "howdy partner in a sentence"  (This is going to blow your mind: "howdy partner" itself is already a sentence.  Whoa.)
• "how butch women match boxers and bras"  (Okay, this is awesome.  For one, it assumes facts not in evidence.  I can only speak from personal experience on this one, but I'm guessing that even metrosexual butches like yours truly make very little effort in this regard.  We avoid overt clashing, but most of our bras are black or white sports bras, so this presents little challenge.) 
• "we need to balance taboos"  (Agreed.  Let's also juggle cliches, mismanage memes, and mitigate misnomers while we're at it.)
  
• "gay male moccasins sex" (Say what?)
• "what do you mean always"  (I mean all the damn time, bucko!)
• "exwifebestfriendisabutchdidshecrossover?"  (crossovertobeingalesbianjustbecauseherfriendisbutch?     YeahdefinitelyandwhileI'matitremindmenottobefriendanymenorI'll becomeoneandnottotalktoanyeightyyearoldsbecauseI'llsuddenly agefiftyyearsjustfromproximity.)
  
• "butch dog clothes" (See, this is why ambiguous modifiers are such a blight on society.  Are we talking about butch clothing for dogs [like my buddy C might look for to butch up her swishy mutt]?  Or clothing for butch dogs [e.g., clothing for mutt like mine, who is already butch]?  So confusing.)
• "AA AFuneral Benefit"  (Eh??  How did you get to BW from that?)
• "why is it most studs and butches are small breasted"  (We're not, but we often wear sports bras, and some of us even bind, so it looks like we have little boobies.  LITTLE BOOBIES!)
• "what to do when kissing a butch" (Cross your eyes, grit your teeth, and poke us hard in the ear with your index finger.  That turns us on, baby!)
• "what it says about you to tuck in shirt with no belt"  (It says: I forgot my belt!  Or: I have no fashion sense!  Or: My pants don't have belt loops, and are probably girl pants!   Or: I'm wearing suspenders!)
• "where does rachel maddow get her clothes" (I was trying to come up with a pun about how rachel maddow getting out of clothes is the more interesting question, but then I got too distracted by the idea of R.M. undressing and temporarily lost my ability to form coherent thoughts.)
• "why do gay men hug each other" (Because that is how rainbows are made.)