Who is your butch icon? Team DIVA celebrates their favourite butches and studs

Nic Crosara (they/he) Deputy editor @niccrosara

DIVA

Operations director Fiona Marshall Designer Fernando Safont Sub-editor

Editor’s letter

International Butch Appreciation Day is 18 August, but

Butch is not a dirty word

Esther Godoy opens up about the joys and challenges of being butch, and her bold plans for the future

So gay for you

The L Word icon Kate Moennig (pictured right) opens up about coming out in the mid-2000s

5 butch icons we’re obsessed with

Celebrating these awesome trailblazers

Connect with the community

Save the date for these upcoming events

#Watchlist

Perfect films for Bisexual Awareness Week (16-23 September)

G Flip wants to show you their big ol’ hammer

ELLA GAUCI sits down with the Aussie superstar (aka “Butch Springsteen”) to talk Chrishell, new music and queer joy

How the carabiner became a butch icon

NIC CROSARA dives into the lore behind the queer style statement

You said it...

#June/July Issue DIVA Community on Facebook

Why my masc icons are the mandem

CHAR BAILEY on the power of stud friendship and unlearning toxic masculinity together

When my girlfriend calls me handsome, I feel powerful and affirmed

AMY L. KING talks beauty on butch terms

As a trans masc, I’ve never felt safer than when I’ve been surrounded by butches

Choose allyship, no matter how you identify

10 years of BUTCH, PLEASE!

ELLA GAUCI tracks the last decade of partying, protest and radical fun at the revolutionary lesbian night founded by Tabs Benjamin

Butch icon Horse is soft and strong

The epic singer-songwriter talks TO ROXY BOURDILLON about navigating prejudice, embracing her whole self and 35 years of making music

“I just want to be seen as a woman”

The UK Supreme Court ruling in April was devastating for trans people. It’s also impacting cisgender butch women who are facing increased harassment over their appearances

Best (butch) behaviour

Glaswegian comedian Susie McCabe talks to NIC CROSARA about identity and comedy

Is rugby the ultimate sapphic sport?

Ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, YASMIN VINCE finds out just how queer the game is

Is the cost of living messing with YOUR dating life?

ELLA GAUCI INVESTIGATES whether our finances are getting in the way of finding romance

How aware of bisexual issues are we actually?

For Bi Awareness Week (16-23 September), ELLA GAUCI SPOKE to vital bi+ organisations about the pressing problems facing the community

GK Barry loves being a WAG

ELLA GAUCI sits down with the TV star to talk tours, love and chaos

Abbi Jacobson is diversifying the industry

The icon talks to NIC CROSARA about the A League Of Their Own fandom, married life and her new role in Long Story Short

Screen

OUR TOP PICK: TV SERIES Wednesday: season two

Boobs, politics and gravy

Comedian Rosie Jones talks to NIC CROSARA about her favourite things and her new hit show

I want Reneé Rapp to bite me

NIC CROSARA traces the timeline of their love for the pop star

Classical music is so gay

Why this ostensibly conservative art form is actually a queer haven

Music

Live shows Get your tickets now! Grace

Daya is taking control

The singer-songwriter talks artistic vision, a decade in the spotlight, and connection with the queer community

Nonchalant

DIVA chats with the indie magazine’s founder about why we need positive LGBTQIA+ rep right now

Books

PICK OF THE MONTH: MEMOIR So

Cult of Rae

Rae Smith talks to NIC CROSARA about making art, their viral success and the many lives they’ve lived

Tell me about it stud

NIC CROSARA explains why white people need to stop identifying with the term

“Going no contact isn’t selfish; it’s an act of self-preservation”

NIC CROSARA INVESTIGATES the rise of queer people choosing “no contact” with their parents

WORDS OF BUTCH WISDOM

This life advice from older butch and stem (stud+femme) icons will empower and inspire you

The ultimate guide to Brighton & Hove Pride 2025

Get ready to celebrate this summer with some of the biggest divas in the world

When will things start making sense?

It’s time to talk about sex, because – allegedly – I now have two of them. At least according to some old crusty that probably hasn’t pushed anything except a pen in many years.

Why I ended a 50-year friendship

I recently broke up with a friend who I’ve known for 50 years. This is longer than any of my romantic relationships, and yet society deems friendship breakups as less significant. I disagree.

#FullBushSummer

How are LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people styling their pubes?

Want to get out of your head and into bed?

LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to experience mental health struggles, but this doesn’t have to get in the way of our sex lives WRITES NIC CROSARA

Does my high body count make me a bad bisexual?

The last time I was in something resembling a relationship, the question of body counts came up. I obfuscated until I couldn’t anymore and then angrily told her to drop it. Any time a friend has asked the same question, I’ve laughed and said, “More than you.” They’ve all quickly realised I don’t like talking about how many people I’ve slept with. Why? Every time I think about my body count and how high it is, a hot ball of shame unfurls in my stomach.

Sexy bits

TOY Naughty Bits Muff Shroom Playful Massager

Our favourite steamy books about butches

Add these to your shelves…

My secret sex diary

Cassidy* opens up about being butch and what she likes in bed AS TOLD TO ROXY BOURDILLON