Stud

Stud is a term used within Black lesbian and queer communities to describe a masculine-of-center Black woman. It sits alongside terms like butch, but it carries its own cultural history and is specific to Black identity. Not every masculine Black lesbian calls herself a stud, but the label is understood as racially specific, meaning a stud is a Black woman. Studs often express masculinity through fashion, mannerisms, and social presence. Writers have noted the term draws on cues associated with Black masculinity while also functioning as a rejection of the male gaze. It has grown more visible in recent years through TikTok and other platforms, where community members share its meaning and history.